We write to object in the strongest possible terms to the current draft Interim Planning Policy Statement for Chichester.

This is for the following reasons:

• It involves excess building between the South Downs National Park and the Chichester Harbour SSSI, to the huge detriment of both
• it creates a line of building which prevents the movement of wildlife between these two areas of local and national importance, thus seriously reducing their ability to survive at a time of critical loss of biodiversity.
• it will inhibit the flow of internationally important chalk streams, flood water and other water courses across this boundary
• it takes no account of the continuing rise in sea level and climate change which will have a major impact on this area of the south coast which is at special risk of sustained flooding as well as adverse weather events
• there appears to be no commitment to sustainable or carbon neutral houses, contrary to national imperative to be carbon neutral by 2030
• the infrastructure (sewage, water, power, etc) in the areas proposed is already at breaking point due to piecemeal development and there appears to be no plan to make this resilient and sustainable

The whole plan needs to be reconstructed taking these considerations into account.