3.4

The Plan should require developers of unallocated sites to demonstrate that their housing is proposed specifically to meet the needs of a local demand for people living and working within the district to reduce the potential for increased potential through generic speculative development.

Policy must require new (and in particular speculative) housing proposals to move beyond the simple and transient benefit of providing additional housing, upon which the case for most speculative developers rely, and make a true, measurable and meaningful contribution to the community.

The plan must be more robust in its resistance to further generic estate development, requiring such proposals to present true and demonstrable evidence:
- it can make appropriate provision for future residents,
- it is truly sustainable in all aspects of the term, and
- makes a positive and measurable contribution to the district in terms of economics, infrastructure and general well-being.

We support generally the work the planning authority has undertaken in co-operation with neighbouring authorities, but consider weaknesses remain in the sustainable distribution of housing and other development needs that reduces the need for commuting and unnecessary travel.

The plan should explain in greater detail the findings of co-operative working with neighbouring authorities to achieve a more sustainable spatial strategy, that provides a “joined up” spatial vision and does not follow a ‘silo-mentality’ of providing only for district needs.

The growth of suburbia, beloved by volume housebuilders, and exacerbated by the Government’s unduly simplistic approach to meeting local housing need quickly, serves only to exacerbate many of the problems the local plan seeks to address.

Evidence of co-operative working and a step-change from ‘more of the same’ in terms of housing provision, will make the Plan more sound. It is essential if the plan area is to be protected from inappropriate speculative housing promoted solely on grounds of housing numbers.

The ability of neighbouring authorities, including the National Park, to provide for appropriate, further growth, including that generated within Chichester District but using employment and service opportunities beyond district boundaries, should be explained and reflected in policies and allocations.