Chichester Local Plan 2021 - 2039: Proposed Submission

Object

Representation ID: 5689

Received: 17/04/2023

Respondent: Teren Project Management Ltd

Agent: Henry Adams LLP

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? Yes

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Request minor amendments be made to allow for level of flexibility so that future development can be aligned with local needs at time of development.

Recognise that specialist accommodation for the elderly is important given the ageing population, flexibility should be included to ensure provision is akin to local need.

Clear that gypsy and traveller plots currently available in other areas of District have not been taken up by Council for allocation (HBI0028). Clear absence of information regarding requirements for pitch provision in localities and site specific needs required to be met. No evidence in respect of engagement with gypsy traveller community in respect of desire to be located on suburban residential sites. Difficult to design suitable means of access within residentail housing estate, no consideration given to how this can be accommodated within such a site. Not appropriate to include gypsy and traveller site provision until further evidence provided on suitability of approach, need in this specific location and suitability as part of housing allocation of this scale, with single point of access. Object to inclusion of allocation for 3 gypsy and traveller plots.

Criterion 5 - Secondary vehicular access unsuitable, although a pedestrian access would connect into existing footpath network to the west.

1. The site east of Dairy Lane is assessed in the HELAA (HWH0005a) as being deliverable and the HELAA also recognises the potential for the site to come forward in conjunction with the larger adjoining site (proposed for allocation in the Local Plan under Policy A10).

Whilst there may be some technical and place making advantages if the two sites were developed together, the Council are not proposing any amendments to sites allocated in the Local Plan or to allocate any additional sites.

2. As a strategic allocation the site is meeting the needs of the plan area generally.

3. As set out in the Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Background Paper (May 2024), the Council have explored a number of options for pitch delivery. This has included a ’Call for Sites’ and an assessment of the potential for intensification on existing Gypsy and Traveller sites but the likely provision arising from these sources does not meet the assessed level of pitch need, requiring provision to be made on the proposed strategic housing sites. As indicated in the Background Paper, the site referred to was assessed as being unsuitable for allocation but would have in any case, not provided a sufficient number of pitches to avoid making provision on the strategic housing allocations.

It should also be noted that whilst as a strategic allocation this site is meeting the needs of the plan area generally, there is an immediate and future need, arising from the Easthampnett site to the east of the strategic allocation.

The Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (2023) indicates that pitches should be well integrated into the local community thereby providing good access to essential services. The good practice guidance for designing Gypsy and Traveller sites (2008), which although withdrawn still provides useful guidance for the design of Gypsy and Traveller sites, stated that where possible sites should be developed near to the settled community as part of mainstream residential developments.

4. The comment regarding the secondary access is acknowledged and an amendment to reflect this proposed. Criterion 6 already requires the provision of pedestrian and cycle access, which would include onto Dairy Lane.

Support

Representation ID: 6254

Received: 17/04/2023

Respondent: Teren Project Management Ltd

Agent: Henry Adams LLP

Support allocation of Land at Maudlin Farm for residential development. The technical work and accompanying Vision Document demonstrate that the site is capable of delivering circa 265 dwellings during the course of the plan period.

Comments noted.