Local Plan Review: Preferred Approach 2016-2035

Dell Quay Sailing Club (DQSC), is a volunteer members club (700 plus members), situated at Dell Quay in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) of Chichester Harbour providing organised competitive and recreational water borne activities for members aged 5 to 70 plus years, with other members taking to the water in their own vessels, some children younger than 5 years of age. This submission is made by the Directors of DQSC.

The proposed Adopted Plan areas all combine to further increase the infrastructure pressures in the area. The proposed development at AP/AL6 the fields between Apuldram Lane and the Stockbridge, are of particular concern to DQSC. However, when combined with existing planned expansion (Fishbourne, Southbourne and Chichester) the impact on the area as a whole will be enormous affecting the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), AONB, wildlife habitats, road congestion, pollution (noise/light), and air quality.

The proposed adopted plan raises specific concerns with DQSC membership namely: infrastructure to support waste treatment/run off water, local flooding, traffic management on minor roads, the effects on the SSSI, the AONB and habitats will adversely affect the area. The greatest concerns are the quality of water within Chichester Harbour where members swim or race/sail in small boats that regularly capsize (potential Public Health Issues) and the effects of more vehicle traffic and limited facilities within the AONB to accommodate increased numbers of people and recreational (e.g. walkers/pedal bikers) users.

Sewage Treatment and Waste Water Disposal.
DQSC has particular concerns about the proposed development at AP6 the details of which are unclear as the impact on the sewage process works is described as "untested" in the report. Currently it is well known that the Apuldram waste water treatment cannot cope with the existing volume that is sent to it with lorries taking some effluent to other processing facilities and regular storm discharges into the SSIs 24, 27, 29. 30 and 31 (Ref https://magic.defra.gov.uk/magicMap.aspx) which are returned on the incoming tide and settle on the mud. The areas shown below are those affected and the state of those areas is shown in the table (copied from the defra.gov.uk website) below in which it states that the areas that are covered by the tide waters are "Unfavourable - Recovering" and to add further to any pollution from waste would be detrimental to the recovery of the eco systems affected.



027
27 MUD Unfavourable - Recovering Medium LITTORAL SEDIMENT 51.3959 SU 833 031 View map

028
28 Favourable No identified Condition Threat NEUTRAL GRASSLAND - Lowland 5.4059 SU 833 035 View map

029
FISHBOURNE SWAMP Unfavourable - Recovering Medium FEN, MARSH AND SWAMP - Lowland 6.4553 SU 836 044 View map

030
FISHBOURNE CHANNEL MUD Unfavourable - Recovering Medium LITTORAL SEDIMENT 33.1731 SU 837 036 View map

031
COPPERAS POINT Unfavourable - No change Medium LITTORAL SEDIMENT 49.3458 SU 830 020 View map

045
NON-SAC GRASSLAND SW OF FISHBOURNE Favourable No identified Condition Threat FEN, MARSH AND SWAMP - Lowland 3.5043 SU 832 038 View map


Any discharges from the Apuldram Treatment works directly affect Dell Quay Sailing Club as they flow past Dell Quay and affect the water quality in the area within which we organise on water activities and the general public visit. In the past 10 years DQSC has complained via the Chichester Harbour Conservancy to the Environment Agency who have attended and taken samples of the harbour water.

Recommendation
Further Sewage and Waste Water treatment plants need to be incorporated in the development plan.

Flooding. Nothing in the report assures DQSC that this has been considered and the effects that development will have on the increased likelihood of flooding affecting the site. The proposed development at AP/AL6 the fields between Apuldram Lane and the Stockbridge are on the FLOOD PLAIN for the river Lavant and any development their can only further increase the risk of flooding properties or if suitable drainage is installed only move the problem further down river or into Chichester Harbour either through the Waste Water Treatment plant at Apuldram (more storm water discharges) or by direct drainage which again will impact the SSSI (noted above) and the ensuing effect on water quality in the harbour.

The picture below shows the fields below the Water Treatment Plant at Apuldram and was taken from the Apuldram Lane looking towards Chichester Harbour however the fields the other side (the flood plain for the Lavant could not be seen due to the height of the hedge) this shows how great the problems could be now let alone what would happen if the flood Plain was built over.


Recommendation
There should be no development in the area designated AP/AL6.

Roads and Transport.

1. The proposed link road running from the Fishbourne roundabout to the Birdham road new roundabout. This is likely to have to be an elevated road to deal with the Lavant flood plain and so will increase light, noise and pollution near the AONB and interfere with natural habitat and wildlife movements interrupted. The proposed junctions for this link road will create more congestion on the A27 Fishbourne Roundabout and a choke point on the Birdham Road. This will further exacerbate the use of Apuldram road as a rat run - people will see congestion on the Fishborne Round about or at the roundabout on Birdham Road and then use Appuldram Road as a means of avoiding the congestion.

2. DQSC have concerns over the proposals for development west of Chichester including Apuldram, Fishbourne and Southbourne. All of these extra houses will have an impact on the A259 junction at Fishbourne and will further exacerbate the problems on the Apuldram road.

3. Lack of public transport to the areas surrounding the proposed developments.

Recommendation -

DQSC recommends that other alternative options are considered for access to developments in Southbourne and Fishbourne, possibly a suitable junction onto the A27 in both directions between Southbourne and Fishbourne.

Any correspondence or future questions should be sent to the Hon Secretary DQSC for representation to the membership of Dell Quay Sailing Club.

Dell Quay Sailing Club (DQSC), is a volunteer members club (700 plus members), situated at Dell Quay in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) of Chichester Harbour providing organised competitive and recreational water borne activities for members aged 5 to 70 plus years, with other members taking to the water in their own vessels, some children younger than 5 years of age. This submission is made by the Directors of DQSC.

The proposed Adopted Plan areas all combine to further increase the infrastructure pressures in the area. The proposed development at AP/AL6 the fields between Apuldram Lane and the Stockbridge, are of particular concern to DQSC. However, when combined with existing planned expansion (Fishbourne, Southbourne and Chichester) the impact on the area as a whole will be enormous affecting the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), AONB, wildlife habitats, road congestion, pollution (noise/light), and air quality.

The proposed adopted plan raises specific concerns with DQSC membership namely: infrastructure to support waste treatment/run off water, local flooding, traffic management on minor roads, the effects on the SSSI, the AONB and habitats will adversely affect the area. The greatest concerns are the quality of water within Chichester Harbour where members swim or race/sail in small boats that regularly capsize (potential Public Health Issues) and the effects of more vehicle traffic and limited facilities within the AONB to accommodate increased numbers of people and recreational (e.g. walkers/pedal bikers) users.

Sewage Treatment and Waste Water Disposal.
DQSC has particular concerns about the proposed development at AP6 the details of which are unclear as the impact on the sewage process works is described as "untested" in the report. Currently it is well known that the Apuldram waste water treatment cannot cope with the existing volume that is sent to it with lorries taking some effluent to other processing facilities and regular storm discharges into the SSIs 24, 27, 29. 30 and 31 (Ref https://magic.defra.gov.uk/magicMap.aspx) which are returned on the incoming tide and settle on the mud. The areas shown below are those affected and the state of those areas is shown in the table (copied from the defra.gov.uk website) below in which it states that the areas that are covered by the tide waters are "Unfavourable - Recovering" and to add further to any pollution from waste would be detrimental to the recovery of the eco systems affected.



027
27 MUD Unfavourable - Recovering Medium LITTORAL SEDIMENT 51.3959 SU 833 031 View map

028
28 Favourable No identified Condition Threat NEUTRAL GRASSLAND - Lowland 5.4059 SU 833 035 View map

029
FISHBOURNE SWAMP Unfavourable - Recovering Medium FEN, MARSH AND SWAMP - Lowland 6.4553 SU 836 044 View map

030
FISHBOURNE CHANNEL MUD Unfavourable - Recovering Medium LITTORAL SEDIMENT 33.1731 SU 837 036 View map

031
COPPERAS POINT Unfavourable - No change Medium LITTORAL SEDIMENT 49.3458 SU 830 020 View map

045
NON-SAC GRASSLAND SW OF FISHBOURNE Favourable No identified Condition Threat FEN, MARSH AND SWAMP - Lowland 3.5043 SU 832 038 View map


Any discharges from the Apuldram Treatment works directly affect Dell Quay Sailing Club as they flow past Dell Quay and affect the water quality in the area within which we organise on water activities and the general public visit. In the past 10 years DQSC has complained via the Chichester Harbour Conservancy to the Environment Agency who have attended and taken samples of the harbour water.

Recommendation
Further Sewage and Waste Water treatment plants need to be incorporated in the development plan.

Flooding. Nothing in the report assures DQSC that this has been considered and the effects that development will have on the increased likelihood of flooding affecting the site. The proposed development at AP/AL6 the fields between Apuldram Lane and the Stockbridge are on the FLOOD PLAIN for the river Lavant and any development their can only further increase the risk of flooding properties or if suitable drainage is installed only move the problem further down river or into Chichester Harbour either through the Waste Water Treatment plant at Apuldram (more storm water discharges) or by direct drainage which again will impact the SSSI (noted above) and the ensuing effect on water quality in the harbour.

The picture below shows the fields below the Water Treatment Plant at Apuldram and was taken from the Apuldram Lane looking towards Chichester Harbour however the fields the other side (the flood plain for the Lavant could not be seen due to the height of the hedge) this shows how great the problems could be now let alone what would happen if the flood Plain was built over.


Recommendation
There should be no development in the area designated AP/AL6.

Roads and Transport.

1. The proposed link road running from the Fishbourne roundabout to the Birdham road new roundabout. This is likely to have to be an elevated road to deal with the Lavant flood plain and so will increase light, noise and pollution near the AONB and interfere with natural habitat and wildlife movements interrupted. The proposed junctions for this link road will create more congestion on the A27 Fishbourne Roundabout and a choke point on the Birdham Road. This will further exacerbate the use of Apuldram road as a rat run - people will see congestion on the Fishborne Round about or at the roundabout on Birdham Road and then use Appuldram Road as a means of avoiding the congestion.

2. DQSC have concerns over the proposals for development west of Chichester including Apuldram, Fishbourne and Southbourne. All of these extra houses will have an impact on the A259 junction at Fishbourne and will further exacerbate the problems on the Apuldram road.

3. Lack of public transport to the areas surrounding the proposed developments.

Recommendation -

DQSC recommends that other alternative options are considered for access to developments in Southbourne and Fishbourne, possibly a suitable junction onto the A27 in both directions between Southbourne and Fishbourne.

Any correspondence or future questions should be sent to the Hon Secretary DQSC for representation to the membership of Dell Quay Sailing Club.