Local Plan Review: Preferred Approach 2016-2035

Object

Representation ID: 3056

Received: 06/02/2019

Respondent: Chichester Harbour Conservancy

Above all else, Chichester Harbour Conservancy is concerned that CDC has not adequately discharged its landscape duties under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000).
Major developments are proposed directly outside the AONB boundary at Apuldram and Bosham, with potential for further major developments, pending the provision of maps, at Fishbourne, Chidham & Hambrook and Southbourne.

Conservancy raises a high-level objection to the overall Local Plan because there is insufficient evidence CDC has considered the potential cumulative effects these developments will have on the AONB.

Comment

Representation ID: 3057

Received: 06/02/2019

Respondent: Chichester Harbour Conservancy

The Conservancy does not know whether the effectiveness of the current Local Plan has been evaluated, with the findings used to inform the Preferred Approach.

Comment

Representation ID: 3058

Received: 06/02/2019

Respondent: Chichester Harbour Conservancy

The Conservancy notes the absence of a Commercial Development Plan as part of the consultation.

Comment

Representation ID: 3059

Received: 06/02/2019

Respondent: Chichester Harbour Conservancy

The Foreword starts with "This is the next stage in the preparation of the Chichester Local Plan Review, for the Chichester plan area (outside the South Downs National Park)."

Despite this, the Local Plan has excessive references to the South Downs National Park.

It is unclear why the National Park is given such a high level of prominence in the Chichester Local Plan Review, when unlike the AONB, it is not actually part of the Plan area.

Comment

Representation ID: 3060

Received: 06/02/2019

Respondent: Chichester Harbour Conservancy

Local Plan Map does not show Chichester Harbour AONB. If it did, it would help Chichester District Council, as the Local Planning Authority (LPA), to demonstrate the protected landscape constraints they are under when trying to identify land for new developments.

Comment

Representation ID: 3061

Received: 06/02/2019

Respondent: Chichester Harbour Conservancy

Page 20, 2.23 Environment Characteristics:
Chichester Harbour is important for its landscape value, as well as biodiversity, land and water-based recreation, and tourism. Furthermore, Chichester Harbour AONB should get a special mention and its own reference number under Environment Characteristics, especially considering that Medmerry is afforded this recognition, which does not have the same level of protection as Chichester Harbour.

Comment

Representation ID: 3062

Received: 06/02/2019

Respondent: Chichester Harbour Conservancy

Page 21, 2.24 SNCIs:
The Conservancy was led to believe that Sites of Nature Conservation Importance had been renamed Local Wildlife Sites since the last Local Plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 3063

Received: 06/02/2019

Respondent: Chichester Harbour Conservancy

Page 21, 2.27 Environmental Characteristics:
"Landscapes - the district has 86 conservation areas (of which 61 are in the National Park and 2 are shared between the District and the National Park), and 17 registered parks and gardens (2 of which are within the plan area)."

The reference to 61 in the National Park is now irrelevant to this Local Plan and should be deleted.

Comment

Representation ID: 3064

Received: 06/02/2019

Respondent: Chichester Harbour Conservancy

Page 22, 2.29 Challenges and Opportunities:
The LPA should state whether the list is in an order of importance. Nevertheless, it is felt that that the order should start by protecting the environmental and historic assets that are in Chichester District, i.e. the last bullet points, then those bullet points that support economic and social development, and then finally provision for new housing and business sites. This order would be more logical: (1) protect what is here; (2) support local people; (3) plan ahead.

Comment

Representation ID: 3065

Received: 06/02/2019

Respondent: Chichester Harbour Conservancy

Page 24, 3.7 The East-West Corridor:
"The relationship between the National Park and significant natural areas to the south, especially Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, will be carefully managed by maintaining and enhancing the countryside between settlements."

This aspiration is not reflected in the policies in the Local Plan, with large development schemes proposed at Apuldram, Bosham, Fishbourne, Chidham & Hambrook and Southbourne.