With reference to Policy S5 - Parish Housing Requirements 2016-2035) National Guidance is clear that Plans should plan for a minimum number of homes over the Plan period. In its current form the draft Plan fails to acknowledge that there may be other sites within the Parishes that could come forwards and make a valuable contribution to housing supply both within the District and to assist in addressing the national shortfall. My client's site at Clappers Lane is available, achievable and deliverable. Significant consideration has been given to the proposals for the site. In promoting the site for development, its opportunities and constraints have been carefully considered and an initial concept masterplan for the site has been prepared which is set out in more detail within the Vision Document included as Appendix B. The Vision Document provides detail on a range of considerations relating to the site including the Development Rationale, site connectivity, ecology, landscape character, local character and context, flood risk and drainage.

The site positioned to the south side of Clappers Lane which connects to Bracklesham Lane to the west of Earnley. Public rights of way run alongside the eastern and southern boundaries separate from the site by tree belts and dense scrub with an area of woodland in the south east corner of the site. The site slopes gently away to the east and south with the Earnley Rife beyond and the majority of the site lies in Flood Zone 1. The surrounding land uses comprise residential development and Medmerry Caravan Park to the south, residential development and Holdens Caravan Park beyond Clappers Lane to the north, two sites which have recently been granted planning permission for a total of 150 dwellings to the west and open countryside to the east. Earnley Conservation Area is located close to the north east corner of the site. Within 1km of the site, prospective residents would have access to a range of services including retail, food and drink outlets, leisure facilities, a school/nursery, health facilities, a church, a post office and other leisure facilities. There are also 6 bus stops within 1km of the site providing residents with access to higher order services further afield in Chichester and Selsey. The site is only c.3km from the A27 which is a major route providing vehicular access to a wider range of large settlements and rail services. Preliminary ecology, flood risk and drainage assessments have been carried out on the site which have informed the design solution. The Council's Landscape Character Assessment and the distinctiveness of existing local development has also influenced the design solution for the site.

The conceptual included in the Vision Document focuses on providing a pedestrian, mobility impaired, cycle and public transport over car travel whilst also securing a safe access strategy from the existing highway network and off site improvements to the existing footway network. The overall concept is landscape led with built form being concentrated in the north west corner of the site where it will have the closest synergy with existing development. Existing boundary vegetation will be retained to provide a soft appearance to the west boundary of the site. Of significance in terms of the layout 6ha of parkland is proposed to wrap around the north eastern corner, along the eastern side of the site and to extend over almost of the southern part of the site (see Appendix C - Parkland Plan). Within this area it is proposed to retain existing native trees and hedgerows, enhance the existing woodland around the southern boundary, wildlife buffer zones, a range of habitats including a pond and community orchard. Through this space a network of accessible routes would be provided linking with existing publicly accessible routes beyond the east, west and southern boundaries of the site thereby enhancing local connectivity and enhancing the open space offer for existing and prospective residents. This space would make a significant contribution to the Council's Green Infrastructure, would have the benefit of providing an enhanced ecological habitat and ensure the land is retained in perpetuity to the benefit of both the open space and green infrastructure objectives and ensuring a gap in built form is retained between the eastern edge of Bracklesham and East Wittering to the west, and Earnley to the east. Furthermore, the gap along the eastern edge of development would ensure the setting of the Earnley Conservation Area is preserved.

In addition, and to underpin the landscape led approach taken, it is proposed to integrate a community garden and a LEAP at the heart of the residential development. It is proposed that the garden would be managed by the Local Community, provide an 'edible landscape' and provide a space that residents would take ownership providing the development with a sense of place. The LEAP would be located adjacent with direct access to the communal garden and incorporate natural play facilities and sensory planting to encourage imaginative play and natural education.