Object

Chichester Local Plan 2021 - 2039: Proposed Submission

Representation ID: 4101

Received: 14/03/2023

Respondent: Mr Matthew Rees

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Representation Summary:

Strategic objective 7 is not sound because it fails to consider the infrastructure investment requirements of existing residents before new development is allowed. This was already noted in the 2015 plan, so needs to be retained. There are longstanding recognised issues with high ground water levels, regular flooding of carriage ways and fields which will be exacerbated to unacceptable levels if development proceeds without first addressing the issue. There are other substantial concerns about the availability of a sufficient supply of fresh water for drinking and household requirements, and I do not have any confidence that this local plan is addressing the matter. The proposed concentration of 13% of all housebuilding for Chichester in a single site with existing issues is not credible without a clear objective to upgrade the infrastructure first. I do not have confidence in the way in which CDC is stating the objective or its ability to influence the infrastructure partners, and am concerned that it has become so frustrated internally regarding a housebuilding agenda that it has lost sight of the critical pre-conditions. If this is not addressed, the residents of Saxon Meadow are at clear risk of waste water ingress into their properties, of ponding / flooding from high rainfall that cannot soak away, and from shortages of drinking water and/or low pressure issues. This will also ruin the gardens at Saxon Meadow in periods of low rainfall, as it is more likely that there will be restrictions on water consumption.

Change suggested by respondent:

Amend as follows:
- To work with infrastructure providers to ensure the timely delivery of key infrastructure to ensure that there the needs of existing residents are met, and provide for all of the infrastructure requirements of existing dwellings prior to considering any new development, and then after that, to support delivery of new development.
- New development will be supported by sufficient provision of infrastructure to enable the sustainable delivery of the development strategy for the plan area.
- Key infrastructure to support the Local Plan will include improvements to transport, open space and green infrastructure, education, health, water supply and removal, telecommunications, flood risk and coastal change management and the provision of minerals and energy first for existing and then for new developments only if it can be demonstrated that there is resilience in the infrastructure to accommodate growth.
- A sustainable and integrated transport system will be achieved through improvements to walking and cycling networks and links to accessible public transport, including new train stop to serve any development that is located in Tangmere, using the existing railway between Barnham and Chichester to place a new station stop in Oving. Highway improvements will be delivered to mitigate congestion, including measures to mitigate potential impacts on the A27 through a predict and provide process.
- Sewerage undertakers will need to work with regulators to deliver improvements in wastewater infrastructure to support existing and new development and to ensure adverse environmental impacts are avoided in domestic properties, businesses on internationally designated habitats.
- Development proposals will be considered only after it can be demonstrated that there is a sustainable source of fresh water supply to meet the needs of existing requirement for the foreseeable future, and taking climate change into account. Improvements to water efficiency, conservation and storage capacity will be made. Infrastructure requirements will be kept under review through the Infrastructure Delivery and Business Plans and development will be phased to align with provision of essential infrastructure.

Full text:

There is much to commend in this document and the supporting technical documents that accompany it, and I have listed in the appendix to this letter 26 such paragraphs and policies. I am happy for my support to be registered against these sections of your consultation document. There is also much upon which I must represent a concern, so I attach representations relating to 22 paragraphs or policies.

I am happy to participate in a hearing session, and I would flag at this stage that the common theme that links all of these representations is the need to safeguard the natural and built environment in and around Saxon Meadow, Tangmere from the risks of unsustainable development, I consider that the independent examiner should focus their review on the aspects of the local plan that relate to this matter.

Appendix 1: list of policies that I support
1. P14, 1.23, 1.24: Duty to cooperate
2. P24, para 2.30 "the council declared a climate emergency in July 2019"
3. P24, para 2.32 — "all proposal for new development should be considered in the context of a climate emergencV'
4, P30: Objective 2: natural environment: "development will achieve net gains in biodiversity'
5. P43, 4.1 "National policy promotes increasing energy efficiency, the minimisation of energy consumption and the development of renewable energy sources"
6. P43, 4.3: "Some renewable energy projects provide significant opportunities to enhance biodiversitV'
7. P53, Policy NE5: Biodiversity and Biodiversity Net Gain
8. P62, Para 4.42: Hedgerows and some types of woodlands are identified as a priority habitat
9, P62, Policy NE8: Proposals should have a minimum buffer zone of 15 metres from the boundary of ancient woodland or veteran trees to avoid rood damage (known as the root protection area)
10. P68, Policy NEIO: Criteria for Development in the Countryside - Does not prejudice viable agricultural operations or other viable uses
11. P80, Para 4.91: There are serious concerns about the impact of flooding, both in respect of current properties at risk but also the long-term management of the area.
12. 4.92: any development in the plan area must therefore have regard to flood and erosion risk.
13. 4.94: built development can lead to increased surface water run-off; therefore, new development should include SuDS to help cope with intense rainfall events
14. P81, Para 4.96: Environment Agency consent is required for any works within 16 m of tidal waters and 8m of fluvial watercourses in line with the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016. This strip is required for access. The policy includes a setback requirement to ensure this access strip is not obstructed.
15. P80, 4.92, Any development in the plan area must therefore have regard to flood and erosion risk, now and in the future, by way of location and specific measures, such as additional flood alleviation, which will protect people, properties and vulnerable habitats from flooding. Recent changes to national guidance highlight the importance of considering flood risk from all sources, and this is particularly significant for the plan area as large parts of it are at risk from groundwater flooding, which needs to be recognised in development decisions alongside the well-established risks in relation to tidal, fluvial and surface water flooding. Appropriate mapping of all sources of flood risks is still evolving, and is likely to develop further over the plan period
16. P93, Policy NE20 Pollution: Development proposals must be designed to protect, and where possible, improve upon the amenities of existing and future residents, occupiers of buildings and the environment generally. Development proposals will need to address the criteria contained in, but not limited to, the policies concerning water quality; flood risk and water management; nutrient mitigation; lighting; air quality; noise; and contaminated land. Where development is likely to generate significant adverse impacts by reason of pollution, the council will require that the impacts are minimised and/or mitigated to an acceptable level within appropriate local/national standards, guidance, legislation and/or objectives.
17, P94, 4.127, Light pollution caused by excessive brightness can lead to annoyance, disturbance and impact wildlife, notably nocturnal animals. The design of lighting schemes should be carefully considered in development proposals to prevent light spillage and glare.
18. P94, 4.128, Dark skies are important for the conservation of natural habitats, cultural heritage and astronomy. The plan area includes three 'Dark Sky Discovery Site' designations, all located within the Chichester Harbour AONB; Eames Farm on Thorney Island, Maybush Copse in Chidham; and north of the John Q Davis footpath in West Itchenor. Development within or directly impacting these areas will be subject to particular scrutiny in terms of their impact on dark skies. The entire SDNPA area is also declared as an International Dark Sky Reserve. Development directly impacting this area will be subject to similar scrutiny.
19. P96, Policy NE22 Air Quality
20. P97, Policy NE-23 Noise
21. P142, Para 6.29, Amenity: Private space, shared space and the design quality and construction of communal spaces all contribute to amenity
22. P155-6, Policy P11:Conservation Areas "protecting the setting (including views into and out of the area)"
23, P55, Para 4.26 - The council is under a legal duty to protect designated habitats, by ensuring that new development does not have an adverse impact on important areas of nature conservation, and by requiring mitigation to negate the harm caused.
24. P58, Para 4.33 The council is under a legal duty to protect their designated bird populations and supporting habitats
25. P95, Para 4.129 The council has a duty to review and assess air quality within the district
26. P301, Conservation Area: An area of special architectural or historic interest, designated under the Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990. There is a statutory duty to preserve or enhance the character, appearance, or setting of these areas.

Attachments: