Chichester Local Plan 2021 - 2039: Proposed Submission

The Council should look to optimise housing delivery in parts of the district which are not affected by the constraints of the A27 and have the ability to assist in addressing other issues (e.g. meeting unmet need from the part of the district that falls within the South Downs National Park). As such, we consider it essential for the North of Plan Area to make a more significant contribution towards housing supply.

Policy H1 identifies a housing requirement of 10,350 new homes across the plan period. Based on the components part of this policy, it is expected that a total of 10,359 new homes will be delivered. We consider that this buffer provides a lack of flexibility especially as the overall housing requirement is expressed as a minimum within Policy H1.

We support the allocation of 50 new homes in Kirdford. The Plan sets out that this new housing will be delivered through the Neighbourhood Plan process however at the current time there is uncertainty as to if or when the Kirdford Neighbourhood Plan will be formally reviewed. On this basis, we consider it important that a clear alternative delivery mechanism be set out within the Plan to ensure certainty to allow for the Plan to be considered effective.

It needs to be clearer what has been agreed in respect of the Statement of Common Ground. It also needs to be clearer whether neighbouring authorities will be able to meet any unmet demands. The council should optimise housing delivery especially where these areas are geographically close to the SDNP.

Whilst it is clear that the local authorities have established a joint working approach, it is not clear what has been agreed in the respective Statement of Common Grounds. Paragraph 5.2 of the draft Local Plan states that the district is unable to meet SDNP unmet need, however it is not clear if neighbouring authorities will be able to meet any unment demand. we therefore consider that this is another reason why in order to be considered to be positively prepared and effective, the Council should be optimising housing delivery especially where these areas are geographically close to SDNP.

On this basis, we consider it important that a clear alternative delivery mechanism be set out within the Plan to ensure certainty to allow for the Plan to be considered effective.

We support the allocation of 50 new homes in Kirdford. The Plan sets out that this new housing will be delivered through the Neighbourhood Plan process however at the current time there is uncertainty as to if or when the Kirdford Neighbourhood Plan will be formally reviewed. On this basis, we consider it important that a clear alternative delivery mechanism be set out within the Plan to ensure certainty to allow for the Plan to be considered effective.