Paragraph 6.62.

I query "easy access to Chichester City and the Manhood Peninsula". This may refer to roads but not to the difficulties of using them at particular times of day, days of the week and times of the year. As an elderly person I rely perforce on my car. Fishbourne roundabout is notorious for its tailbacks and for the "death or glory" approach of many drivers on the A27 as they accelerate round it. Manhood Peninsula roads are often gridlocked on summer days, at holiday times, bank holidays and weekends. No way can the "easy access" description be justified in practical terms. Increasing volume of traffic on the A259 must be a major concern in planning for a further 250 plus homes in Fishbourne and in the context of the other planned housing allocations along the A259 corridor west of Chichester.

Paragraph 6.63

This is a mistaken premise. Fishbourne "facilities" do NOT require a greater population to sustain them. They are working to capacity now. The Fishbourne Centre bookings are at or near full capacity. As are those for the Church Hall, St Peter's Place.
The primary school reached its PAN (Pupil Admissions Number) maximum with children in all years from its Fishbourne catchment area in 2014 and has been 'full' with Fishbourne children ever since. Families new to the area have to find school places elsewhere. Fishbourne C of E Primary school is, and was planned as, a one-form-entry school and its tradition and expertise is as such. There are strong educational arguments for single year classes. Mixed year groups are not popular with teaching staff or parents. The disruption caused by gradual growth in size could well put at risk the 'Good' Ofsted gradings it has enjoyed ever since the Inspections began not to mention the effect of the disadvantages for staff and children of temporary classrooms.

Paragraph 6.64

It is good to know there is an emerging "Infrastructure Delivery Plan". See comments above re education. The foot paths in Fishbourne are already atrocious in their current state - e.g. both sides of the A259 are varied in width, uneven and very rough in condition, Salthill Road's are discontinuous, in Blackboy Lane south of the railway footpaths/pavements are non-existent though the Parish council is currently acting on this. The growth of Fishbourne over the past 80 years has not resulted in much care being given to linking footpaths, despite their importance in reducing the number of car journeys and for maintaining health and fitness as everyone is now encouraged to walk and cycle and use cars less.

Paragraph 6.65

* Potential landscape sensitivities, including protecting views to the South Downs National Park and Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and their settings and creating opportunities for new views;

There is only one place where you can get a sense of Fishbourne as a rural village and that is the view to the west from Blackboy Lane. This also gives a fine geographic impression of what a coastal plain looks like, particularly with the flat land making a clear contrast to rising land to the north which marks the edge of the coastal plain and the beginning of the outliers of the South Downs. Any Geography teacher will tell you this is a classic example! There is also the special quality of light which encouraged the farming of salad crops and which is particularly evident here. There are spectacular sunsets, views of which are not interrupted by buildings, and this is the only place in Fishbourne where you can see a full sunset in all its glory. It is important that these landscape sensitivities are respected, not least because they are part of our daily life - you do not have to take a trip in the car to experience them. Please don't under-value the importance of such natural phenomena.

* Protecting the separate distinct identity of Fishbourne in relationship to surrounding settlements, including Chichester City;

I query why Fishbourne's identity needs to be protected from Chichester City? New Fishbourne has long been an enclave of Chichester and eastern parts of the village have Chichester (not Fishbourne) as their postal address. The three earlier C of E Rectories (on Fishbourne Rd and Appledram Lane north) were all located in what is now within the city boundary, and Albert Road and Frederick Road were both originally in the parish of Fishbourne whose boundary was the old level Crossing on Fishbourne Road. When the A27 was built that became the eastern and northern boundaries and forms a visual boundary more effective than the narrow strip of green land left. The significant gap is not the miniscule one between the houses of Fishbourne and those now designated as Chichester, but the more substantial one between Fishbourne and Bosham.

A major fear in respect of future planning is the spectre of "Solent City", the splurge of housing developments stretching right along the south coast from Brighton to Southampton. We have seen enough of developments along the A259 from beyond Chichester in the east to Emsworth in the west in recent years to appreciate the value of green space separating the settlements. The gap between Fishbourne and Bosham is important to retain the distinct identities of these two villages, yes, but just as important, indeed more so, is to establish a clear western boundary of the Chichester conurbation of which Fishbourne is an historical part, to keep the city plus its environs as a distinct entity from the burgeoning development along the A259.

* Consideration of the potential impact of development in terms of recreational disturbance on the Chichester Harbour SPA/SAC/Ramsar site;

Fishbourne children have long played in the water meadows and the creek, fortunate that they are easily accessible on foot from the village. More houses would inevitably mean greater footfall along the harbour paths and in recent years dog exercisers have presented an increasing threat to the harbour wildlife. More houses within walking distance inevitably increases the threat to these precious areas.

* Maximising the potential for sustainable travel links with Chichester City and settlements along the East-West corridor;

The A27 and A259 are both now busy roads. Clay Lane is a rat-run particularly when the A27 is blocked at busy times, notably in the morning and evening rush-hour. Parking for the railway station causes problems in the nearby residential roads. Salthill Road is also a rat-run for A27 avoidance with impact on the Clay Lane crossroads and on the A259 junction. The Emperor Way footpath and cycle path is much appreciated by walkers and cyclists but unpleasant friction between users does occur and a wider path would be an advantage. Existing E-W travel links are at capacity/no longer fit for purpose. 250 projected dwellings are likely to yield at least 500 additional vehicles. Taken in the context of all the other 'new' traffic generated by the continued housing developments, up to and including Southbourne, the local gridlock is the only thing that will be sustained!

* Protecting residential properties from noise exposure from the A27;
* Protecting the heritage assets of Fishbourne and their setting;

Apart from the obvious Roman Palace, Fishbourne has other 'treasures' - the Roman springs, the Mill Pond, the Creek and the history of the various mills, the rich agricultural heritage, etc. not to mention the sense of Roman Legions marching out along the as yet unfound Roman road. If we are to retain a sense of history, particularly in the landscape these must be protected.