Object
Chichester Local Plan 2021 - 2039: Proposed Submission
Representation ID: 3783
Received: 14/02/2023
Respondent: Mrs Donna-Maria Thomas
Legally compliant? Yes
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? No
The plan does not appear to be consistent with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which states:
“20. Strategic policies should set out an overall strategy for the pattern, scale and design quality of places, and make sufficient provision for:
b) wastewater.
The provision for dealing with wastewater is currently detrimental to the harbour. There appears to be no strategic policy or plan for the wastewater management challenges which will undoubtedly be exacerbated by the level of proposed development.
There should be a moratorium on any building in the area until there is a strategy for dealing with wastewater.
Southern Water calculates its capacity calculations based on dry water flows of water and not average yearly levels but even with this data which is arguably skewed in favour of development. Southern Water have confirmed there is not capacity for the number of dwellings proposed in policy A11
This issue then brings the proposed development of Policy A11 into direct conflict with other areas of the proposed local plan.
One of the objectives stated in the proposed plan is to:
“Protect and enhance the character of the area including the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the coastline and the setting of the South Downs National Park;”
Allowing any development which will have an adverse impact on Chichester Harbour by exacerbating the sewage outflow levels cannot be deemed to be protecting or enhancing Chichester Harbour.
The harbour is designated as both an AONB and a site of special scientific interest. It is afforded the highest status of protection under the National Planning Policy Framework. The local plan itself suggests that the site at A11 is not suitable.