7.2
Support
Chichester Local Plan 2021 - 2039: Proposed Submission
Representation ID: 4804
Received: 17/03/2023
Respondent: West Sussex Growers' Association
The West Sussex Coastal Plain, with its exceptionally high winter light levels and all year round beneficial climate, is the preferred location for horticultural production in the UK.
The Horticultural Industry, concentrated around Chichester and Bognor Regis, generates annual turnover that exceeds £1billion pounds and employs more than 10,000 full time equivalent staff.
The workforce includes many high value jobs, such as: Growing & Technical Managers, Sales & Marketing Teams, IT, Engineering and Logistics specialists, HR, Accounts, Administration and Office Staff, as well as Team Leaders, Supervisors and Skilled Operational Staff.
The Government has tasked Growers to grow more home grown produce, increase productivity, reduce food miles and the UK’s reliance on imported food. There is also an increasing need for space to grow plants, shrubs and trees. These aims can be achieved; however, the Horticultural and Food Industries need Local Planning Policies to be in place that enables sustainable development. To this end, more flexibility is needed in the current CDC Local Plan - Horticultural Policy to meet the needs of the Horticultural sector.
Over the coming years, more provision of space for nurseries, high-tech glasshouses, packhouses and reservoirs will be required; however, there will also be an increased need for ancillary development, such as: Vertical Farming Projects, Research & Development Facilities, Alternative Energy Centres, Logistics and Distribution Centres, Engineering and Technical Support Facilities.
Support
Chichester Local Plan 2021 - 2039: Proposed Submission
Representation ID: 5213
Received: 17/03/2023
Respondent: John Newman
I think that this paragraph is very important.
See attachment.