I appreciate that the housing numbers proposed in the LPR have been imposed by central government, but for CDC to refer to the housing target numbers as minimums appears seriously flawed. This will surely encourage developers to submit plans for greater numbers than might otherwise be the case. It also makes it very difficult for local communities to resist further development when the "minimum" figure has been reached. The housing numbers imposed are already greater than the district can reasonably bear, so for CDC to set minimum targets is doing a great disservice on all counts, and particularly on environmental grounds.

Chichester district already suffers from insufficient road capacity and the plans for the A27 junctions and link road will not solve the problem. The junction changes will not solve the lack of road capacity for through and local traffic, and restricting right-hand turning at junctions will make local journeys more difficult. The proposed AL6 link road would direct more traffic off the A27 on to the A286, one of the most congested roads in the district, providing access to some of the most popular tourism destinations on the Manhood Peninsula. For this reason alone it should be resisted.

I am concerned that East Wittering/Bracklesham have been classed as a "settlement hub". The definition of a settlement hub should include good access to the main road network, the rail network, employment and secondary and higher education facilities. These villages do not have easy access to these services, being situated in a "cul-de-sac", on the congested A286. They are essentially rural, seaside communities which rely heavily on tourism for their economy and it is their rural nature which attracts so many visitors. The 350 minimum homes proposed for these two villages would have severe implications on all aspects of the local infrastructure, particularly the roads.

Living off Bell Lane in Somerley, I would like to draw your attention to the findings of the Peter Brett Transport Study for the LPR. It states that the forecast for the increase in road noise arising from a further 350 homes in East Wittering/Bracklesham along the length of Bracklesham Lane, the B2198, is "major". Bracklesham Lane leads into Bell Lane as it passes through the Somerley Conservation Area and it is vital that mitigation measures should be taken to reduce the effects of the additional traffic noise, preferably in the form of a speed limit reduction to 30mph. The accident rate on this road is already higher than average, including fatalities.

Selsey, another "settlement hub", has been badly affected by excessive suburban development in recent years with no improvement to its local infrastructure. The further extensive housing numbers proposed for this fishing and seaside village risk undermining its attraction to tourists. It is important that development of these seaside communities is carefully designed and limited in numbers to prevent over-suburbanisation. It should also be recognised that the geography of the peninsula means that access to and from the coast will always be restricted and subject to severe congestion. Additional housing on the Manhood Peninsula will only worsen this unresolvable situation and must be considered with caution to maintain its attractiveness to tourists who contribute so greatly to the economy of the Chichester district.

The Manhood Peninsula is also one of the last remaining rural hinterlands on the south coast plain. It contains several internationally designated habitat sites which are among the most important wildlife areas in the Chichester district. CDC should consider strengthening the ICZM to recognise the international importance of the peninsula, further safeguarding its environment and associated green tourism. The provision of wildlife corridors are probably more important here than anywhere else in the district. In addition, the AL6 proposed link road and commercial development would be adjacent to internationally designated habitat sites, cross two flood zones, and impair significant views of the cathedral and the Downs, contrary to CDC's ICZM policy. This proposed road appears to fail on all counts.

In conclusion, therefore, I would ask CDC to abandon proposals for the AL6 link road and junction changes on the A27, which are a waste of money, and instead urge the government to invest in a long-term, sustainable solution for the A27 so that the district is more able to accommodate the increased housing numbers being imposed on it. I would also like to see the minimum housing target numbers changed to maximum and remove East Wittering/Bracklesham as a settlement hub for the reasons set out above.