Chichester Local Plan 2021-2039 - Main Modifications consultation

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In the North of the plan area, the "Low Weald" landscape is characterised by a mix of pasture and medium to small-scale arable fields. Further south, the Downland footslopes feature semi-open, large scale, arable fields and paddocks. The extensive coastline, which forms the southern border of the plan area, varies in character, with shingle ridges, sandy beaches, and a variety of wetlands, salt marsh and harbours, including the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty¹⁵. The coastal and harbour areas are important for biodiversity, recreation and tourism.

¹⁵Whilst this has been renamed "Chichester Harbour National Landscape" it is referred to in the Local Plan as " Chichester Harbour AONB" to reflect its legally designated status - which remains unchanged.

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• Be confident that new development will be designed and located to mitigate and withstand climate change, taking account of factors such as sea level rise, high summer temperatures, water scarcity and the need to reduce greenhouse emissions from homes, businesses and travel;

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The emphasis will be mainly upon protecting and enhancing the special qualities of the coast and its rural hinterland, which attract residents, visitors and businesses to the area. In recognition of the semi-rural nature of some settlements and the proximity to internationally important wildlife habitats such as Pagham Harbour and Medmerry Compensatory Habitat, and other constraints, a selective and sensitive approach to development will be taken.

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New development will be in accessible locations with local access at the core of the design, linked by high quality active travel, walking and cycle routes that also link to bus stops and, where available, rail stations where access is required to facilities that cannot be provided locally.designed to reduce reliance on the private car with convenient walking and cycling routes and public transport to access facilities and open spaces.

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To protect and enhance the natural environment, achieving net gains in biodiversity, nature recovery and tree cover, contributing towards improvements in the condition of designated sites including Chichester Harbour, Pagham Harbour and Medmerry Compensatory Habitat, and protecting wildlife and landscape character and conserving and enhancing the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and South Downs National Park and their setting.

Development will achieve net gains in biodiversity and be located to avoid adverse impacts on designated sites and ensure that any necessary mitigation is delivered. Low lying land around Chichester Harbour which is likely to be flooded as sea levels rise will be protected to contribute to natural flood management and enable restoration of natural habitats such as saltmarsh and coastal grazing marsh which act as effective carbon stores and support valuable wildlife, making space for it to adapt to climate change effects. Relevant adjacent higher sites will remain available for birds and other wildlife. Strategic nature recovery networks including wildlife corridors will link habitats as part of the green infrastructure and local ecological network. Where All relevant, developments will also be nutrient neutral and/or water neutral to protect water quality and quantity.

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A suitable range of employment sites will be delivered across the plan area to support local employment needs. Key employment sectors such as horticulture, food and drink production, tourism (including marine related leisure), hospitality, bespoke vehicle manufacturing and creative industries, which are underpinned by the area's natural and cultural assets will continue to thrive. The dynamic local knowledge-based economy will excel in innovation and continue to diversify, supported by the local higher education providers and gigabit capable broadband. Sustainable rural and manufacturing sectors will continue to be important reflecting the council's Economic Development Strategy and Inward Investment and Growth Strategy. Opportunities for employment and self-employmentwill help retain young talent in the area and retain a skilled workforce.

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New development will be designed with safe and convenient access to linked green and blue spaces, contributing to the strategic provision of multifunctional green infrastructure with recognised benefits to health and well-being; health, leisure and play facilities and opportunities for with active travel designed into communities to support active lifestyles and healthy communities. Development will contribute to air quality improvements.

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The National Design Code will be supplemented by local design codes to support the delivery of beautiful, safe and accessible places, supported by open space, green and blue infrastructure.,incorporating the special qualities of designated landscapes where required. Development will be designed to positively contribute to the quality of the area, being attractive and sympathetic to local character while maintaining a strong sense of place. New development will maximise opportunities to create safe, accessible and inclusive communities, promoting health and well-being, active travel, and supporting local services and facilities.

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New development will be supported by sufficient provision of infrastructure to enable the sustainable delivery of the development strategy for the plan area. Key infrastructure to support the Local Plan will include improvements to transport active travel infrastructure, public transport, open space and green infrastructure, education, health, water supply and removal, telecommunications, flood risk and coastal change management and the provision of minerals and energy.

A sustainable and integrated transport system will be achieved through improvements to walking and cycling networks and links to accessible public transport. Highway improvements will be designed in line with the hierarchy for the road user with priority for people walking, cycling and using public transport, so that people choose active travel or active travel combined with public transport as the obvious way to access what they need. These measures will delivered to mitigate congestion, including measures to mitigate mitigation of potential impacts on the A27 through a monitor and manage process. Nature based solutions will be used where these are appropriate.