It is accepted that there is an strong requirement for additional housing in this area and all communities are required therefore accept a reasonable allocation. The recently approved 50 house development at Highgrove is probably the most suitable solution to meet Bosham's allocation. However to consider increasing this number to 300 is way beyond being reasonable for the following reasons:
1-The loss to the eco-systems and wild life corridors, resulting in further damge to the very fragile wildlife habitats both on and surrounding the proposed development site.
2-The loss of a substantial tranche of grade one/two agricultural land.
3-The loss of farmland means loss of flood plain in an area that already struggles in periods of heavy prolonged rainfall.-The additional drainage /sewerage that would be generated, particularly where there is no evidence that any upgrades are planned to the already heavy over capacity at Apuldram.
4- There is a severe danger that if developments continue to be granted along the north side of the A259, the outcome will be a contiuous urban 'sprawl' from Emsworth to Chichester and individual communities such as Southbourne, Fishbourne and Bosham will lose their essential character.
5-Substantial increases in housing results in additonal traffic congestion a further degradation to air quality