The importance of housing delivery, and its relationship to affordability, should be made more explicit with reference to the housing crisis and the acute affordability issues in the district. The vision and objectives should also explicitly recognize the important part housing delivery plays in meeting the economic, social and environmental objectives of the NPPF.

In light of the housing crisis and the continued decreasing affordability of housing in the country as a whole and particularly within Chichester District, it is important that housing continues to be delivered in sustainable locations. The latest data release from 2021 on housing affordability shows that on average within Chichester District house prices are 14.61 times median earnings. This compares unfavorably with the West Sussex County average of 12.07 and the national average of 9.1. Chichester District remains one of the least affordable places to buy a home in the country. Furthermore, the Plan does not intend to meet the Objectively Assessed Need for housing in the district.
Whilst recognizing that the Local Plan Objectives and Vision do reference Housing, it is considered that the importance of housing delivery, and its relationship to affordability, should be made more explicit with reference to the housing crisis and the acute affordability issues in the district. The vision and objectives should also explicitly recognize the important part housing delivery plays in meeting the economic, social and environmental objectives of the NPPF.
Furthermore, it is all the more important that policies enable, rather than potentially hinder, continued delivery of new homes as far as possible, particularly on sustainable allocated sites, such as the West of Chichester. Vistry and Miller are already delivering housing on site contributing to Chichester’s housing needs.