Plans for 100 homes in gap between Earnley and Bracklesham submitted

Seaward Properties wants to develop a greenfield south of Clappers Lane and has put in an outline planning application to Chichester District Council.

When the development proposals were first mooted back in the summer, residents argued the scheme would lead to the coalescence between Earnley and Bracklesham and ‘will result in sprawling suburbia with architecture not in keeping with Earnley’s adjacent conservation area’.

They also raised concerns about a lack of facilities and services, declining employment opportunities, congested roads, flooding, the effect on the character of the area as well as the impact on wildlife and nature.

But in its application the developer argues there has been recent housebuilding around the site, making it a ‘suitable’ location for new residential development.

The scheme includes 30 per cent affordable housing, open space, designated space for community use and ‘significant enhancements for ecology and biodiversity’.

The application says: “The site is situated in a highly sustainable location with access to a range of services that help meet the day to day needs of local residents. The site adjoins the East Wittering settlement boundary to the south and following the emerging local plan, will also adjoin the settlement boundary to the west.

“Due to the site’s location it benefits from both the facilities offered by both Earnley and East Wittering and Bracklesham.”

Objections have already started to come in from residents.

Raising climate change issues and rising sea levels, one wrote: “Considering the sensitivity of the flood plains and climate issues of this area the only way to go is a zero tolerance/acceptance of any more development.”

Another highlighted the cumulative effect of development in the area. They explained: “Despite the urgent need for more housing, any further development on the Manhood Peninsula is disproportionate to the essential support services. No further development should be permitted until this disproportionate situation is resolved, and this planning application falls directly into this category.”

Meanwhile Clappers Lane was described by another objector as a ‘narrow country lane with no pavements or lighting’, which had already been ‘ruined’ where the new development has been built.

Another wrote: “These developments are being thrown up totally in the wrong areas - with more suitable brown field areas being ignored because it’s easier to destroy fields and green spaces.”

To comment visit www.chichester.gov.uk/planning using code 20/03125/OUT