‘Brave new thinking’ required to save Chichester farmland from development

‘Brave new thinking’ is required so a potential major development site just outside of Chichester can be kept as active farmland, campaigners have argued.
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As part of Chichester District Council’s local plan review it proposed allocating land between the A27 bypass and Apuldram for a business park, at least 100 homes and a new link road back in 2018.

Although no final decisions have been made, the potential scheme has been criticised by conservationists, who have raised concerns about the impact on the ecology, wildlife and landscape.

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Save Our South Coast Alliance (SoSCA), with the support of the Manhood Peninsula Action Group, has written to CDC requesting the site, known as AL6, should not be designated for development but instead farmed on a countryside stewardship scheme.

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A spokesperson for SOSCA said: “This is an immensely important key site on several counts which is why we have taken the time to present a well researched paper putting a strong case for an environmental designation of this land in the local plan and not for development.”

The group’s representation argues that highly productive agricultural land should not be sacrificed until all other options have been exhausted and also highlights concerns about flood risk and spare sewage capacity.

The group also points to the site’s role in nature conservation as a wildlife corridor close to the site, explaining: “How much better would it be to promote the site for nature conservation and habitat de-fragmentation through a suitable agri-environmental scheme.”

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It goes onto argue that since Chichester relies on its setting next to the South Downs as well as Chichester and Pagham harbours, to permit ‘urban sprawl’ right up to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’s boundary ‘will destroy this setting’.

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They added: “The symbolic significance of the city would be irreversibly harmed by rupturing the view from the harbour of the Cathedral spire and separate bell tower. This is an historic view of incalculable value. The necessity of elevating a new spine road through the site would seal the fate of this visual connection.”

SoSCA said it recognised the difficulties CDC faces with its local plan but felt Chichester and its harbour needed to be protected and called for ‘brave new thinking starting with allocating land for the long time environmental benefit which will be much higher than the short lived profit’.

A CDC spokesman said: “We identified this land in our emerging local plan after West Sussex County Council proposed it for development. In December 2019 we considered a report which recognised the concerns over the development of this land.

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“We endorsed a programme of further work to consider the overall need for development and impacts such as those raised by this recent letter. Work is still on-going and will be finalised before any final decision is taken on the emerging plan. This is expected early next year.

“Matters relating to how the site is farmed, such as under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme are for the tenant and West Sussex County Council as landowner.”

A county council spokesman said: “West Sussex County Council is working closely with Chichester District Council to understand how this site can support the delivery of the Chichester local plan. At this time no firm plans for the site have been developed and all options are under consideration.”

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