4.11

The strategic gap Assessment should be revisited as a matter of urgency and key gaps identified through the local plan and protected by robust policy. Land north of Madgwick Lane, Westhampnett should be so identified and included. The land is unsuitable for housing and the removal of land from allocation is supported.

The plan does not provide sufficient long term protection for open areas that perform strategic gap functions or represent important open areas

WGPC supports this statement. The concept, identification and maintenance of landscape/green gaps are critical to the definition of rural villages and, quite often, serve to define the settlement boundary; WG has devoted considerable energy to defining these gaps which are clearly identified within all iterations of the NP.