2.13

The hospitality and visitor economy should be reflected in this statement.

The hospitality and visitor economy, is one of the main economic drivers in the District and should be reflected in this statement. The sector and its multiplier effects, add significantly to the local economy, to a level greater than most of the employment sectors listed.

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.

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 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.

Reference to ‘ancillary’ with regard to the HDAs in relevant policies and supporting text should be modified to 'functionally linked' and include explanatory text clarifying that 'functionally linked' uses can include a range of activities including: food-related distribution; food manufacturing linked to the HDAs food preparation; on-site renewable energy to serve on-site activities; and R&D.

The Council’s acknowledgement of the importance of the horticultural sector to Chichester District Council’s administrative area is welcomed.

The horticultural industry is capable of supporting higher value jobs in areas such as research and development as well as associated business functions. This is however constrained by the current and proposed wording of the Council’s horticultural policies E3 and E4 which inhibits the economic potential and competitiveness of the industry.

This is all true - so why isn't the visitor economy included in 2.13 as one of the areas major employers?

The hospitality and visitor economy, is one of the main economic drivers in the District and should be reflected in this statement. The sector and its multiplier effects, add significantly to the local economy, to a level greater than most of the employment sectors listed.