Local Plan 2045 Scoping Consultation

3. What are the key considerations for our local plan?

3.1The preparation of a new local plan presents both challenges and opportunities for the Chichester plan area. A key challenge will be the need to balance the delivery of new housing, alongside other forms of development, with the protection and enhancement of the area’s valuable characteristics, from the national landscape to the designated wildlife sites and distinctive character and identity of towns and villages. A key consideration will be ensuring that growth respects local distinctiveness and responses positively to its surroundings.

3.2The local plan will also need to make sure that there is infrastructure delivery in a timely manner to support new homes and development. This includes transport and movement as well as essential services and community facilities, such as education, healthcare, utilities and open space.

3.3Supporting a strong and resilient economy will be another important challenge, considering how to retain existing jobs, attract new investment and support economic growth, whilst also recognising the importance of the rural economy.

3.4The local plan will need to respond to the challenge of a changing climate, such as increased temperatures and more extreme weather conditions. The plan will need to account for the impacts of climate change by locating development in the right place and addressing the need to mitigate any flood risk associated with new development.

3.5Further detail and questions on the each of the key considerations is set out in the topic-based sections of the scoping consultation document.