Local Plan Review: Preferred Approach 2016-2035

Policy S17:
This policy appropriately highlights the environmental sensitivity of the location within the Chichester Harbour AONB and the proximity of the Chichester Harbour
SAC/SPA/Ramsar, however, there is no mention of the Core and Supporting Areas on the Thorney Island which are within the SWBGS.

As per the SWBG strategy, Core Areas are considered essential to the continued function of the Solent waders and brent goose ecological network and have the strongest functional-linkage to the designated Solent SPA in terms of their frequency and continuity of use by SPA features. We strongly urge that development proposals which are likely to affect these non-designated sites are referenced within the policy.

Policy S26
We welcome Policy S26 and support its intention to protect and enhance the natural
environment of the Plan Area. There is however is no specific reference to designations within the policy and or the supporting text (para 5.51).
The specific conservation designations relevant to the Chichester Local Plan in respect of both international and national designations should be detailed within the Local Plan.

The inclusion of site designations; SPAs, SACs, SSSIs etc. rather than 'biodiversity of the site'. We would also recommend the outcome of the net gain consultation to be referenced in Policy S26 and reflected in the regulations 19 draft

Policy AL6
The policy for this housing allocation appropriately highlights the need to provide
mitigation to ensure the protection of the adjacent SPA, SAC, SSSI and Ramsar at
Chichester Harbour. However, the land in this policy is across the road from site 'C23' in the Solent Brent Goose and Wader Strategy (SWBGS) and has been designated as a 'Candidate area'.

As per the SWBG strategy, development proposals which are likely to affect these sites will need to undertake survey work to confirm the site's classification prior to assessing off-setting and mitigation requirements. We urge that reference to this is made within the policy.

Policy AL8
We note that allocation AL8 is proposed to be delivered through a review of East
Wittering Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be competed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy AL9
We note that allocation AL9 is proposed to be delivered through a review of Fishbourne Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be completed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy AL12
The RSPB would like to express concern over the potential impact site allocations AL12 could have on brent geese. Since 2017 the Pagham Harbour reserves team and SOS have been working together, carrying out brent geese surveys around Pagham Harbour since 2017, with the aim to map out how wintering brent geese are using land off the designated sites and to distinguish if these sites are functionally linked to the SPA.

This site is close to the Pagham Harbour SPA (approximately 350m) and over the last 10 years Sussex Ornithological Society (SOS) have recorded over 900 records of birds at Park Farm and Church Norton Greenlease, of which include brent geese.
This area currently falls outside of the SWBGS and therefore would not be picked up by this strategy. Until we have a full understanding of what fields are used by brent geese we will oppose any development on fields potentially used by them for foraging.

Policy AL13
We note that allocation AL13 is proposed to be delivered through a review of Southbourne Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be completed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy S17:
This policy appropriately highlights the environmental sensitivity of the location within the Chichester Harbour AONB and the proximity of the Chichester Harbour
SAC/SPA/Ramsar, however, there is no mention of the Core and Supporting Areas on the Thorney Island which are within the SWBGS.

As per the SWBG strategy, Core Areas are considered essential to the continued function of the Solent waders and brent goose ecological network and have the strongest functional-linkage to the designated Solent SPA in terms of their frequency and continuity of use by SPA features. We strongly urge that development proposals which are likely to affect these non-designated sites are referenced within the policy.

Policy S26
We welcome Policy S26 and support its intention to protect and enhance the natural
environment of the Plan Area. There is however is no specific reference to designations within the policy and or the supporting text (para 5.51).
The specific conservation designations relevant to the Chichester Local Plan in respect of both international and national designations should be detailed within the Local Plan.

The inclusion of site designations; SPAs, SACs, SSSIs etc. rather than 'biodiversity of the site'. We would also recommend the outcome of the net gain consultation to be referenced in Policy S26 and reflected in the regulations 19 draft

Policy AL6
The policy for this housing allocation appropriately highlights the need to provide
mitigation to ensure the protection of the adjacent SPA, SAC, SSSI and Ramsar at
Chichester Harbour. However, the land in this policy is across the road from site 'C23' in the Solent Brent Goose and Wader Strategy (SWBGS) and has been designated as a 'Candidate area'.

As per the SWBG strategy, development proposals which are likely to affect these sites will need to undertake survey work to confirm the site's classification prior to assessing off-setting and mitigation requirements. We urge that reference to this is made within the policy.

Policy AL8
We note that allocation AL8 is proposed to be delivered through a review of East
Wittering Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be competed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy AL9
We note that allocation AL9 is proposed to be delivered through a review of Fishbourne Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be completed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy AL12
The RSPB would like to express concern over the potential impact site allocations AL12 could have on brent geese. Since 2017 the Pagham Harbour reserves team and SOS have been working together, carrying out brent geese surveys around Pagham Harbour since 2017, with the aim to map out how wintering brent geese are using land off the designated sites and to distinguish if these sites are functionally linked to the SPA.

This site is close to the Pagham Harbour SPA (approximately 350m) and over the last 10 years Sussex Ornithological Society (SOS) have recorded over 900 records of birds at Park Farm and Church Norton Greenlease, of which include brent geese.
This area currently falls outside of the SWBGS and therefore would not be picked up by this strategy. Until we have a full understanding of what fields are used by brent geese we will oppose any development on fields potentially used by them for foraging.

Policy AL13
We note that allocation AL13 is proposed to be delivered through a review of Southbourne Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be completed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy S17:
This policy appropriately highlights the environmental sensitivity of the location within the Chichester Harbour AONB and the proximity of the Chichester Harbour
SAC/SPA/Ramsar, however, there is no mention of the Core and Supporting Areas on the Thorney Island which are within the SWBGS.

As per the SWBG strategy, Core Areas are considered essential to the continued function of the Solent waders and brent goose ecological network and have the strongest functional-linkage to the designated Solent SPA in terms of their frequency and continuity of use by SPA features. We strongly urge that development proposals which are likely to affect these non-designated sites are referenced within the policy.

Policy S26
We welcome Policy S26 and support its intention to protect and enhance the natural
environment of the Plan Area. There is however is no specific reference to designations within the policy and or the supporting text (para 5.51).
The specific conservation designations relevant to the Chichester Local Plan in respect of both international and national designations should be detailed within the Local Plan.

The inclusion of site designations; SPAs, SACs, SSSIs etc. rather than 'biodiversity of the site'. We would also recommend the outcome of the net gain consultation to be referenced in Policy S26 and reflected in the regulations 19 draft

Policy AL6
The policy for this housing allocation appropriately highlights the need to provide
mitigation to ensure the protection of the adjacent SPA, SAC, SSSI and Ramsar at
Chichester Harbour. However, the land in this policy is across the road from site 'C23' in the Solent Brent Goose and Wader Strategy (SWBGS) and has been designated as a 'Candidate area'.

As per the SWBG strategy, development proposals which are likely to affect these sites will need to undertake survey work to confirm the site's classification prior to assessing off-setting and mitigation requirements. We urge that reference to this is made within the policy.

Policy AL8
We note that allocation AL8 is proposed to be delivered through a review of East
Wittering Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be competed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy AL9
We note that allocation AL9 is proposed to be delivered through a review of Fishbourne Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be completed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy AL12
The RSPB would like to express concern over the potential impact site allocations AL12 could have on brent geese. Since 2017 the Pagham Harbour reserves team and SOS have been working together, carrying out brent geese surveys around Pagham Harbour since 2017, with the aim to map out how wintering brent geese are using land off the designated sites and to distinguish if these sites are functionally linked to the SPA.

This site is close to the Pagham Harbour SPA (approximately 350m) and over the last 10 years Sussex Ornithological Society (SOS) have recorded over 900 records of birds at Park Farm and Church Norton Greenlease, of which include brent geese.
This area currently falls outside of the SWBGS and therefore would not be picked up by this strategy. Until we have a full understanding of what fields are used by brent geese we will oppose any development on fields potentially used by them for foraging.

Policy AL13
We note that allocation AL13 is proposed to be delivered through a review of Southbourne Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be completed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy S17:
This policy appropriately highlights the environmental sensitivity of the location within the Chichester Harbour AONB and the proximity of the Chichester Harbour
SAC/SPA/Ramsar, however, there is no mention of the Core and Supporting Areas on the Thorney Island which are within the SWBGS.

As per the SWBG strategy, Core Areas are considered essential to the continued function of the Solent waders and brent goose ecological network and have the strongest functional-linkage to the designated Solent SPA in terms of their frequency and continuity of use by SPA features. We strongly urge that development proposals which are likely to affect these non-designated sites are referenced within the policy.

Policy S26
We welcome Policy S26 and support its intention to protect and enhance the natural
environment of the Plan Area. There is however is no specific reference to designations within the policy and or the supporting text (para 5.51).
The specific conservation designations relevant to the Chichester Local Plan in respect of both international and national designations should be detailed within the Local Plan.

The inclusion of site designations; SPAs, SACs, SSSIs etc. rather than 'biodiversity of the site'. We would also recommend the outcome of the net gain consultation to be referenced in Policy S26 and reflected in the regulations 19 draft

Policy AL6
The policy for this housing allocation appropriately highlights the need to provide
mitigation to ensure the protection of the adjacent SPA, SAC, SSSI and Ramsar at
Chichester Harbour. However, the land in this policy is across the road from site 'C23' in the Solent Brent Goose and Wader Strategy (SWBGS) and has been designated as a 'Candidate area'.

As per the SWBG strategy, development proposals which are likely to affect these sites will need to undertake survey work to confirm the site's classification prior to assessing off-setting and mitigation requirements. We urge that reference to this is made within the policy.

Policy AL8
We note that allocation AL8 is proposed to be delivered through a review of East
Wittering Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be competed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy AL9
We note that allocation AL9 is proposed to be delivered through a review of Fishbourne Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be completed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy AL12
The RSPB would like to express concern over the potential impact site allocations AL12 could have on brent geese. Since 2017 the Pagham Harbour reserves team and SOS have been working together, carrying out brent geese surveys around Pagham Harbour since 2017, with the aim to map out how wintering brent geese are using land off the designated sites and to distinguish if these sites are functionally linked to the SPA.

This site is close to the Pagham Harbour SPA (approximately 350m) and over the last 10 years Sussex Ornithological Society (SOS) have recorded over 900 records of birds at Park Farm and Church Norton Greenlease, of which include brent geese.
This area currently falls outside of the SWBGS and therefore would not be picked up by this strategy. Until we have a full understanding of what fields are used by brent geese we will oppose any development on fields potentially used by them for foraging.

Policy AL13
We note that allocation AL13 is proposed to be delivered through a review of Southbourne Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be completed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy S17:
This policy appropriately highlights the environmental sensitivity of the location within the Chichester Harbour AONB and the proximity of the Chichester Harbour
SAC/SPA/Ramsar, however, there is no mention of the Core and Supporting Areas on the Thorney Island which are within the SWBGS.

As per the SWBG strategy, Core Areas are considered essential to the continued function of the Solent waders and brent goose ecological network and have the strongest functional-linkage to the designated Solent SPA in terms of their frequency and continuity of use by SPA features. We strongly urge that development proposals which are likely to affect these non-designated sites are referenced within the policy.

Policy S26
We welcome Policy S26 and support its intention to protect and enhance the natural
environment of the Plan Area. There is however is no specific reference to designations within the policy and or the supporting text (para 5.51).
The specific conservation designations relevant to the Chichester Local Plan in respect of both international and national designations should be detailed within the Local Plan.

The inclusion of site designations; SPAs, SACs, SSSIs etc. rather than 'biodiversity of the site'. We would also recommend the outcome of the net gain consultation to be referenced in Policy S26 and reflected in the regulations 19 draft

Policy AL6
The policy for this housing allocation appropriately highlights the need to provide
mitigation to ensure the protection of the adjacent SPA, SAC, SSSI and Ramsar at
Chichester Harbour. However, the land in this policy is across the road from site 'C23' in the Solent Brent Goose and Wader Strategy (SWBGS) and has been designated as a 'Candidate area'.

As per the SWBG strategy, development proposals which are likely to affect these sites will need to undertake survey work to confirm the site's classification prior to assessing off-setting and mitigation requirements. We urge that reference to this is made within the policy.

Policy AL8
We note that allocation AL8 is proposed to be delivered through a review of East
Wittering Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be competed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy AL9
We note that allocation AL9 is proposed to be delivered through a review of Fishbourne Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be completed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy AL12
The RSPB would like to express concern over the potential impact site allocations AL12 could have on brent geese. Since 2017 the Pagham Harbour reserves team and SOS have been working together, carrying out brent geese surveys around Pagham Harbour since 2017, with the aim to map out how wintering brent geese are using land off the designated sites and to distinguish if these sites are functionally linked to the SPA.

This site is close to the Pagham Harbour SPA (approximately 350m) and over the last 10 years Sussex Ornithological Society (SOS) have recorded over 900 records of birds at Park Farm and Church Norton Greenlease, of which include brent geese.
This area currently falls outside of the SWBGS and therefore would not be picked up by this strategy. Until we have a full understanding of what fields are used by brent geese we will oppose any development on fields potentially used by them for foraging.

Policy AL13
We note that allocation AL13 is proposed to be delivered through a review of Southbourne Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be completed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy S17:
This policy appropriately highlights the environmental sensitivity of the location within the Chichester Harbour AONB and the proximity of the Chichester Harbour
SAC/SPA/Ramsar, however, there is no mention of the Core and Supporting Areas on the Thorney Island which are within the SWBGS.

As per the SWBG strategy, Core Areas are considered essential to the continued function of the Solent waders and brent goose ecological network and have the strongest functional-linkage to the designated Solent SPA in terms of their frequency and continuity of use by SPA features. We strongly urge that development proposals which are likely to affect these non-designated sites are referenced within the policy.

Policy S26
We welcome Policy S26 and support its intention to protect and enhance the natural
environment of the Plan Area. There is however is no specific reference to designations within the policy and or the supporting text (para 5.51).
The specific conservation designations relevant to the Chichester Local Plan in respect of both international and national designations should be detailed within the Local Plan.

The inclusion of site designations; SPAs, SACs, SSSIs etc. rather than 'biodiversity of the site'. We would also recommend the outcome of the net gain consultation to be referenced in Policy S26 and reflected in the regulations 19 draft

Policy AL6
The policy for this housing allocation appropriately highlights the need to provide
mitigation to ensure the protection of the adjacent SPA, SAC, SSSI and Ramsar at
Chichester Harbour. However, the land in this policy is across the road from site 'C23' in the Solent Brent Goose and Wader Strategy (SWBGS) and has been designated as a 'Candidate area'.

As per the SWBG strategy, development proposals which are likely to affect these sites will need to undertake survey work to confirm the site's classification prior to assessing off-setting and mitigation requirements. We urge that reference to this is made within the policy.

Policy AL8
We note that allocation AL8 is proposed to be delivered through a review of East
Wittering Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be competed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy AL9
We note that allocation AL9 is proposed to be delivered through a review of Fishbourne Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be completed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy AL12
The RSPB would like to express concern over the potential impact site allocations AL12 could have on brent geese. Since 2017 the Pagham Harbour reserves team and SOS have been working together, carrying out brent geese surveys around Pagham Harbour since 2017, with the aim to map out how wintering brent geese are using land off the designated sites and to distinguish if these sites are functionally linked to the SPA.

This site is close to the Pagham Harbour SPA (approximately 350m) and over the last 10 years Sussex Ornithological Society (SOS) have recorded over 900 records of birds at Park Farm and Church Norton Greenlease, of which include brent geese.
This area currently falls outside of the SWBGS and therefore would not be picked up by this strategy. Until we have a full understanding of what fields are used by brent geese we will oppose any development on fields potentially used by them for foraging.

Policy AL13
We note that allocation AL13 is proposed to be delivered through a review of Southbourne Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be completed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy S17:
This policy appropriately highlights the environmental sensitivity of the location within the Chichester Harbour AONB and the proximity of the Chichester Harbour
SAC/SPA/Ramsar, however, there is no mention of the Core and Supporting Areas on the Thorney Island which are within the SWBGS.

As per the SWBG strategy, Core Areas are considered essential to the continued function of the Solent waders and brent goose ecological network and have the strongest functional-linkage to the designated Solent SPA in terms of their frequency and continuity of use by SPA features. We strongly urge that development proposals which are likely to affect these non-designated sites are referenced within the policy.

Policy S26
We welcome Policy S26 and support its intention to protect and enhance the natural
environment of the Plan Area. There is however is no specific reference to designations within the policy and or the supporting text (para 5.51).
The specific conservation designations relevant to the Chichester Local Plan in respect of both international and national designations should be detailed within the Local Plan.

The inclusion of site designations; SPAs, SACs, SSSIs etc. rather than 'biodiversity of the site'. We would also recommend the outcome of the net gain consultation to be referenced in Policy S26 and reflected in the regulations 19 draft

Policy AL6
The policy for this housing allocation appropriately highlights the need to provide
mitigation to ensure the protection of the adjacent SPA, SAC, SSSI and Ramsar at
Chichester Harbour. However, the land in this policy is across the road from site 'C23' in the Solent Brent Goose and Wader Strategy (SWBGS) and has been designated as a 'Candidate area'.

As per the SWBG strategy, development proposals which are likely to affect these sites will need to undertake survey work to confirm the site's classification prior to assessing off-setting and mitigation requirements. We urge that reference to this is made within the policy.

Policy AL8
We note that allocation AL8 is proposed to be delivered through a review of East
Wittering Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be competed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy AL9
We note that allocation AL9 is proposed to be delivered through a review of Fishbourne Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be completed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?

Policy AL12
The RSPB would like to express concern over the potential impact site allocations AL12 could have on brent geese. Since 2017 the Pagham Harbour reserves team and SOS have been working together, carrying out brent geese surveys around Pagham Harbour since 2017, with the aim to map out how wintering brent geese are using land off the designated sites and to distinguish if these sites are functionally linked to the SPA.

This site is close to the Pagham Harbour SPA (approximately 350m) and over the last 10 years Sussex Ornithological Society (SOS) have recorded over 900 records of birds at Park Farm and Church Norton Greenlease, of which include brent geese.
This area currently falls outside of the SWBGS and therefore would not be picked up by this strategy. Until we have a full understanding of what fields are used by brent geese we will oppose any development on fields potentially used by them for foraging.

Policy AL13
We note that allocation AL13 is proposed to be delivered through a review of Southbourne Neighbourhood Plan (NP), which will allocate sites to meet the housing figure. The District Council have therefore not identified any sites at this stage.
The lack of detail as to where these sites (or site) will be located raises concerns given the sensitivity of area and the potential of conflict with the legislation protecting the designated wildlife interests. This also raises questions around the deliverability of the Chichester Local Plan given this allocation is roughly 10% of the overall housing target and there is currently no indication of time frames of the NP review. It could also impact on the Council's ability to undertake a sound Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Local Plan.

If the Parish are to take a lead in identifying new development site(s), attention must be drawn to the details of the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to ensure suitable sites are identified that do not conflict with the designated site interests.

The RSPB would like clarification as to whether the sites identification process is expected to be completed in time for the submission of the Local Plan, and if not what measures are being taken to ensure that this approach will not affect the overall deliverability of the plan?