4.92

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Object

Chichester Local Plan 2021 - 2039: Proposed Submission

Representation ID: 4123

Received: 14/03/2023

Respondent: Mr Matthew Rees

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Representation Summary:

The plan is not sound because it fails to apply sufficient resources to map and understand the existing challenge affecting surface water run-off for dwellings at Saxon Meadow, Church Lane and the surrounding fields, where I and other residents have local knowledge. It is likely that the same is the case across the plan area. Sticking with the local issues, given that Saxon Meadow dwellings rely on soakaway for dispersal of rainwater and there has been increase in the frequency of heavy rainfall recently, there are significant issues that have not been mapped or evaluated by the authority, and these need to be addressed before any proposal for development is contemplated. The public access portal relating to the outline application is flawed because does not reflect reality. The 2015 Local Plan highlighted the issue of high groundwater levels and the need for investment before new house building.
Even after relatively light rainfall overnight on 1 I th March 2023, there is an accumulation of ground water in the field to the east of Saxon Meadow (see below), and there have been regular incidents of Church Lane being flooded to a depth of several centimetres making it impossible for pedestrians and a concern to car drivers. The problem will only get worse in future if houses are built because the capacity of the ground to absorb water will be reduced and there will be hard surfaces which will create more run-off.
**To see also photograph provided within attachment**

Change suggested by respondent:

Amend the plan as follows:
4.92 Any development in the plan area must therefore have regard to flood and erosion risk, now and in the future, by way of location and specific measures, such as additional flood alleviation, which will protect people, properties and vulnerable habitats from flooding. Recent changes to national guidance highlight the importance of considering flood risk from all sources, and this is particularly significant for the plan area as large parts of it are at risk from groundwater flooding, which needs to be recognised in development decisions alongside the well-established risks in relation to tidal, fluvial and surface water flooding. Appropriate mapping of all sources of flood risks is still evolving, and is likely to develop further over the plan period. In light of the absence of accurate mapping, the council will always require applicants to directly approach local residents and land users to gain a better understanding of surface water issues at the preapplication stage so that issues can be identified and resolved satisfactorily, and the council will ensure that all required investment to safeguard existing residents is provided on a timely basis before new development proceeds and funded by developers and/or relevant infrastructure providers.

Full text:

There is much to commend in this document and the supporting technical documents that accompany it, and I have listed in the appendix to this letter 26 such paragraphs and policies. I am happy for my support to be registered against these sections of your consultation document. There is also much upon which I must represent a concern, so I attach representations relating to 22 paragraphs or policies.

I am happy to participate in a hearing session, and I would flag at this stage that the common theme that links all of these representations is the need to safeguard the natural and built environment in and around Saxon Meadow, Tangmere from the risks of unsustainable development, I consider that the independent examiner should focus their review on the aspects of the local plan that relate to this matter.

Appendix 1: list of policies that I support
1. P14, 1.23, 1.24: Duty to cooperate
2. P24, para 2.30 "the council declared a climate emergency in July 2019"
3. P24, para 2.32 — "all proposal for new development should be considered in the context of a climate emergencV'
4, P30: Objective 2: natural environment: "development will achieve net gains in biodiversity'
5. P43, 4.1 "National policy promotes increasing energy efficiency, the minimisation of energy consumption and the development of renewable energy sources"
6. P43, 4.3: "Some renewable energy projects provide significant opportunities to enhance biodiversitV'
7. P53, Policy NE5: Biodiversity and Biodiversity Net Gain
8. P62, Para 4.42: Hedgerows and some types of woodlands are identified as a priority habitat
9, P62, Policy NE8: Proposals should have a minimum buffer zone of 15 metres from the boundary of ancient woodland or veteran trees to avoid rood damage (known as the root protection area)
10. P68, Policy NEIO: Criteria for Development in the Countryside - Does not prejudice viable agricultural operations or other viable uses
11. P80, Para 4.91: There are serious concerns about the impact of flooding, both in respect of current properties at risk but also the long-term management of the area.
12. 4.92: any development in the plan area must therefore have regard to flood and erosion risk.
13. 4.94: built development can lead to increased surface water run-off; therefore, new development should include SuDS to help cope with intense rainfall events
14. P81, Para 4.96: Environment Agency consent is required for any works within 16 m of tidal waters and 8m of fluvial watercourses in line with the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016. This strip is required for access. The policy includes a setback requirement to ensure this access strip is not obstructed.
15. P80, 4.92, Any development in the plan area must therefore have regard to flood and erosion risk, now and in the future, by way of location and specific measures, such as additional flood alleviation, which will protect people, properties and vulnerable habitats from flooding. Recent changes to national guidance highlight the importance of considering flood risk from all sources, and this is particularly significant for the plan area as large parts of it are at risk from groundwater flooding, which needs to be recognised in development decisions alongside the well-established risks in relation to tidal, fluvial and surface water flooding. Appropriate mapping of all sources of flood risks is still evolving, and is likely to develop further over the plan period
16. P93, Policy NE20 Pollution: Development proposals must be designed to protect, and where possible, improve upon the amenities of existing and future residents, occupiers of buildings and the environment generally. Development proposals will need to address the criteria contained in, but not limited to, the policies concerning water quality; flood risk and water management; nutrient mitigation; lighting; air quality; noise; and contaminated land. Where development is likely to generate significant adverse impacts by reason of pollution, the council will require that the impacts are minimised and/or mitigated to an acceptable level within appropriate local/national standards, guidance, legislation and/or objectives.
17, P94, 4.127, Light pollution caused by excessive brightness can lead to annoyance, disturbance and impact wildlife, notably nocturnal animals. The design of lighting schemes should be carefully considered in development proposals to prevent light spillage and glare.
18. P94, 4.128, Dark skies are important for the conservation of natural habitats, cultural heritage and astronomy. The plan area includes three 'Dark Sky Discovery Site' designations, all located within the Chichester Harbour AONB; Eames Farm on Thorney Island, Maybush Copse in Chidham; and north of the John Q Davis footpath in West Itchenor. Development within or directly impacting these areas will be subject to particular scrutiny in terms of their impact on dark skies. The entire SDNPA area is also declared as an International Dark Sky Reserve. Development directly impacting this area will be subject to similar scrutiny.
19. P96, Policy NE22 Air Quality
20. P97, Policy NE-23 Noise
21. P142, Para 6.29, Amenity: Private space, shared space and the design quality and construction of communal spaces all contribute to amenity
22. P155-6, Policy P11:Conservation Areas "protecting the setting (including views into and out of the area)"
23, P55, Para 4.26 - The council is under a legal duty to protect designated habitats, by ensuring that new development does not have an adverse impact on important areas of nature conservation, and by requiring mitigation to negate the harm caused.
24. P58, Para 4.33 The council is under a legal duty to protect their designated bird populations and supporting habitats
25. P95, Para 4.129 The council has a duty to review and assess air quality within the district
26. P301, Conservation Area: An area of special architectural or historic interest, designated under the Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990. There is a statutory duty to preserve or enhance the character, appearance, or setting of these areas.

Attachments:

Object

Chichester Local Plan 2021 - 2039: Proposed Submission

Representation ID: 4441

Received: 14/03/2023

Respondent: Mrs A Cobby

Legally compliant? No

Sound? Not specified

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Representation Summary:

Currently there are flooding issues following a period of prolonged rainfall, when the road and kerb outside 2-4 Church Lane hold rain up to 8". As I do not own a 4x4, several times a year I am unable to exit Saxon Meadow by car. Saxon meadow relies on a soakaway for dispersal of rainwater. In future years climate change will lead to increased rainfall. I feel this has not been evaluated by the authority. The future, therefore, could mean Saxon Meadow being effectively 'cut off' by rainwater and possibly suffer flooding to properties. Therefore I consider not legally compliant.

Change suggested by respondent:

As per 2015 report Master Plan A14 insist infrastructure upgraded before any dwellings erected. To be funded by Council or developers. Especially relevant for Saxon Meadow as our pumping station would not cope with new houses. Soakaways cannot be relied on.

Full text:

See representations

Attachments: