The development strategy set out in Policy S3 aims for most of the development to take place along the east-west corridor. Whilst we do not object in general to the approach, we do object to the form of its delivery and believe it does not reflect the 'Main Issues raised' in the Issues & Options consultation of June 2017. Question 3 requested feedback on the Vision and comments were received by the Council that there is 'Already too much development in East/West corridor; too much congestion; issues with A27; train links are slow'. The responses also state that it should include the need to protect the 'individual identities of villages' and development must be concentrated in areas 'closer to the city which has all the amenities'.

Question 4 discussed the sub-areas, which highlighted the East-West corridor as the best option but also notes that 'City will need to expand to accommodate the required housing and associated growth' and that there is a 'Risk of adjacent villages and towns coalescing into each other'.

Question 6 states that 'Chichester is the most appropriate location for new development; provides access to a full range of employment, education, transport, medical, retail and entertainment; support east/west corridor strategy. Parish boundaries should not limit proposals.'

It is clear from the responses above that development should be concentrated primarily in and around Chichester with a proportional quantum of development in the settlement hubs along the East-West Corridor. This would also be the most sustainable strategy for the future development of the district because Chichester is the sub-regional centre, but at the moment we believe the distribution of development is unbalanced. This will lead to increased road congestion and therefore pollution as people travel from the settlements to Chichester for work, leisure, and entertainment.
It is evident that most strategic allocations surrounding Chichester are existing allocations from the current Local Plan, with only 1050 new dwellings proposed around Chichester. Of the 4,400 new dwellings identified in the new local plan through the proposed strategic locations adjoining Chichester itself only counts for 24% of the total; with 76% in outlying areas. The new allocations in the East-West Corridor total 3300 new homes, of which 2250 (68%) are proposed to be delivered in the Settlement Hubs (Southbourne, Chidham and Hambrook, Bosham and Fishbourne) and only 1050 (32%) in and around Chichester itself. While it is agreed that other settlements should have some development, this appears to be disproportionate when there are other sites adjoining Chichester that are available.

The Local Plan spatial strategy should be changed to ensure any deliverable sites that are located close to Chichester itself are included and only then should other sites in the outlying settlements along the A259 corridor be considered. This will ensure a more sustainable pattern of development that focuses attention on Chichester but also delivers some development in the smaller settlements that will support services but not overwhelm them. It is important to allow settlements to expand proportionately and for new communities to integrate with the existing population. It is considered that the scale of development along the A259 corridor is excessive, particularly at Southbourne, as it will result in an increase of over 40% of the number of houses (Southbourne Neighbourhood Plan, 2014 records 2,927 dwellings in the Parish). It is also questionable if it is appropriate or possible to deliver such a large number of new dwellings through a Neighbourhood Plan.

Given the existing local plan does not meet the housing requirements required, it is also considered to be a retrograde step for the new local plan to leave so many houses to the Neighbourhood Planning process as this will inevitably take additional time to progress. This site is available and can be delivered within the first 5 years of the new Local Plan but it is unlikely that sites the size of those being proposed along the A259 corridor could be allocated in a NP and then built within the first 5 years. This would exacerbate the under supply of houses needed by the local community.
As demonstrated above, suitable sites surrounding Chichester should be allocated before looking at smaller settlements to meet the housing need. My clients land is such a site and it meets the NPPF requirement of sustainable development to a much greater degree than other allocated sites. For example, the land is less than a 10 minute drive and under half an hour walk to the city centre; which can be achieved on safe footpaths. The site is also located near to the Westhampnett Crossroads bus stop on Stane Street, which has 3 buses an hour that travel directly to Chichester Bus Station in 17 minutes. There are no technical reasons why the site cannot be allocated as it is outside the National Park, not in a Statutory designation, not in flood zone 2 or 3 etc.