The preferred solution of transferring all sewage to Tangmere WWTW is not sustainable. Aldingbourne Rife is an ephemeral stream and under the Water Framework Directive the Rife must be returned to its natural condition. Existing housing growth will increase average flows by a factor of four and the new housing numbers will increase this to five. This also causes flooding problems downstream in the Arun district.It is not clear that the additional housing growth has been allowed for by Southern Water in the design of the treatment works or the pumping mains from Chichester.

The increase in housing at Tangmere will result in reduced open space for leisure and for ecological mitigation. It is not clear that the 'Apron' brown field site has been allowed for in the housing numbers. If not then there is a more sustainable alternative to increasing the density of housing on the strategic site.

There is no justification for adding houses to the Tangmere site on the basis of enhancing community facilities. Tangmere already has two shops, a garage, a Village Centre, a Doctors Surgery, sports pitches, a business park, a school and a dentist. None of these facilities were provided by previous developments. The viability of additional sports facilities is questionable and good alternatives are available in Chichester.