Local Plan Review: Preferred Approach 2016-2035

Birdham has a similar level of services and facilities (as defined in paragraph 4.12), to those found in the identified Service Villages of Bosham, Fishbourne and Hambrook/Nutbourne. Moreover, Birdham has a greater level of services/facilities than those in the other identified Service Village of Hunston (please see attached Settlement Comparison table).

The Service Village of Birdham should therefore be considered as a larger more sustainable settlement suitable for a greater proportion of new residential development and should be included in the list of Service Villages identified in Policy S3.

The Parish Housing Requirement for 125 new dwellings within Birdham Parish is welcomed and will ensure that the village can grow appropriately. A managed increase in population will also help to support and sustain local shops, services and businesses.

Birdham is one of the most sustainable of the Service Villages and due to the services and facilities (para 4.12) it has the potential to accommodate a greater proportion of the 500 dwelling Parish Housing Allocation (the HELAA identifies 'achievable' sites to provide 262 new dwellings).

In the event that the Parish Housing Requirement increases beyond 500 units, the District Council is asked to review the proposed housing distribution set out in Policy S5 and to consider the potential for Birdham to contribute a greater number of dwellings accordingly.

Whilst Policy S24 is required to focus new development within identified urban areas, it should not preclude sites outside of but immediately adjacent to settlement boundaries in the following circumstances:

* To allow for entry-level exception sites, suitable for first time buyers as required by paragraph 71 of the National Planning Policy Framework;

* Where there is a shortfall in housing supply in the District.