Chichester Local Plan 2021 - 2039: Proposed Submission

Amend corridor to wider version previously identified (August 2021).

Policy NE4 Strategic Wildlife Corridors (p.50)

We are concerned that the Strategic Wildlife Corridor (SWC) east of the city has been reduced significantly in a manner that has not been justified, undermines the value of the corridor and will lead to harm to biodiversity in the development stage of Policy A8. Such harm can and therefore should be avoided by restoring the larger corridor previously identified. We believe that this would ensure that development complies with NPPF section 180 a). We comment in detail under Policy A8. We also note and support the Regulation 19 plan vision that all SWCs should be fully protected (p.26).

Policy A8 Land East of Chichester (p.231)

We object to the significant reduction in the Strategic Wildlife Corridor (SWC) east of the city. In addition to the wildlife impacts of this reduction that other conservation bodies are likely to highlight, e.g. on bats, we wish to draw attention again to the recent presence of breeding Marsh Harriers on the lake adjacent to the south side of the Policy A8 development, as noted in section 10.30, p.229 of the CDC Regulation 19 Local Plan. Marsh Harrier is a Schedule 1 species, scarce nationally and monitored by the Rare Breeding Birds Panel . Only 1-2 pairs nest annually in West Sussex . We consider that the SWC should therefore be restored to its previous dimensions and that the A8 development proceeds in a manner that will enhance the biodiversity of the lake and its surrounds, including by limiting access to the immediate proximity of the lake (bird hides could be considered to limit disturbance). This will increase the chances of the harriers occupying the site in the future, but is desirable anyway given other biodiversity benefits including for bats. Full protection in line with the CDC vision (p.26 of the Regulation 19 plan) will be an additional important benefit.

Amend corridor to wider version previously identified (August 2021).

Policy NE4 Strategic Wildlife Corridors (p.50)

We are concerned that the Strategic Wildlife Corridor (SWC) east of the city has been reduced significantly in a manner that has not been justified, undermines the value of the corridor and will lead to harm to biodiversity in the development stage of Policy A8. Such harm can and therefore should be avoided by restoring the larger corridor previously identified. We believe that this would ensure that development complies with NPPF section 180 a). We comment in detail under Policy A8. We also note and support the Regulation 19 plan vision that all SWCs should be fully protected (p.26).

Policy A8 Land East of Chichester (p.231)

We object to the significant reduction in the Strategic Wildlife Corridor (SWC) east of the city. In addition to the wildlife impacts of this reduction that other conservation bodies are likely to highlight, e.g. on bats, we wish to draw attention again to the recent presence of breeding Marsh Harriers on the lake adjacent to the south side of the Policy A8 development, as noted in section 10.30, p.229 of the CDC Regulation 19 Local Plan. Marsh Harrier is a Schedule 1 species, scarce nationally and monitored by the Rare Breeding Birds Panel . Only 1-2 pairs nest annually in West Sussex . We consider that the SWC should therefore be restored to its previous dimensions and that the A8 development proceeds in a manner that will enhance the biodiversity of the lake and its surrounds, including by limiting access to the immediate proximity of the lake (bird hides could be considered to limit disturbance). This will increase the chances of the harriers occupying the site in the future, but is desirable anyway given other biodiversity benefits including for bats. Full protection in line with the CDC vision (p.26 of the Regulation 19 plan) will be an additional important benefit.