Story featured in the Chichester Observer.
The Member of Parliament for Chichester, Gillian Keegan, has joined with Birdham residents to speak out against delays to the passing of the Chichester Local Plan. In a letter to the new Chichester District Council administration, the Member of Parliament shares serious concerns over the growing issue of speculative development in the area with the absence of a Local Plan.
The letter comes following an application for 150 houses on the edge of the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The application off the A286 (23/01497/OUT) has been a source of controversy in the area for some time, with worries over the potential impact on the natural landscape, road congestion and flooding raised by many residents. Residents directed these concerns towards members of the current administration during a public meeting held at the Birdham Village Hall, last Thursday.
Chichester’s Proposed Submission Local Plan (PSLP), which sets out where and what housing can be built over the coming years, has been at an advanced stage for several months now, with the final public consultation responses having been received on the 17th March. An up-to-date Local Plan is essential for Local Authorities to be able to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply and ward off unwanted speculative planning applications, however the plan has seen no visible movement since March.
Expanding on the letter’s concerns, Gillian Keegan said:
“I absolutely share Birdham residents’ concerns over this application, and it’s very disappointing that the Local Plan hasn’t yet been submitted to the Planning Inspector.’
The Liberal Democrats made it clear in their election campaign that they wanted to see another review process put in place, but we’re already seeing the kind of impact that delays to the Local Plan can have on local communities.”
The letter, co-signed by spokesperson for the Birdham Village Residents’ Association, Clive Bush, urges the new administration to ‘take immediate steps’ to advance the proposed Chichester Local Plan and reduce the risk posed ‘to communities like Birdham’.
You can find a copy of the letter from Gillian and Clive Bush, in full, below.
