Development of 1,300 homes near Chichester granted planning permission

The site was allocated for large-scale development in the council’s 2015 local plan, but progress stalled due to disagreements between the landowners.

CDC is going through the Compulsory Purchase Order process and in the meantime engaged Countryside Properties  as a development partner to bring forward a masterplan for the site.

Countryside’s outline application for 1,300 homes was approved by CDC’s planning committee today (Wednesday March 31).

This decision is subject to Highways England withdrawing its holding objection and the completion of a section 106 agreement.

The plans also include a new primary school, expanded village centre, public open spaces and extensive footpaths and cycleways.

The development site’s main access will be from the Temple Bar junction with the A27, with two secondary points from Tangmere Road to the south, one of which will require the construction of a new roundabout.

The scheme also includes sports pitches, allotments, orchard and ‘Roman fields’ central open space which safeguards the archaeological areas.

A total of 30 per cent affordable housing will be provided.

Andrew Irwin, chairman of Tangmere Parish Council, said they supported the outline application as it accords with the ‘one village’ vision supported by the vast majority of residents in their adopted neighbourhood plan.

He described how they were supportive of the current plan not to allow vehicular access to the development from Malcolm Road so the space could become a ‘key meeting point for new and existing residents’.

Simon Oakley (Con, North Mundham and Tangmere) recommended several changes and amendments to conditions around footway improvements, cycling connectivity, planting and the allotment car parks.

Sarah Sharp (Green, Chichester South) was the only councillor to vote against the plans as she felt the development would still be too ‘car dependent’ and raised problems with the cycle and pedestrian link to Chichester over the Temple Bar junction through Westhampnett.

Roy Briscoe (Con, Westbourne) said: “What we need is a reality check as we can’t expect this to fix all the off-site issues in Chichester.”

He felt the application showed the importance of masterplanning such a strategic development site and thanked the parish council for its ‘forward thinking’ as well as Countryside and CDC and West Sussex County Council officers.

After the meeting, Martin Leach, managing director – strategic land at Countryside, said: “We are delighted that councillors were supportive of the plans which have evolved to create an attractive place that responds positively to the context of Tangmere, with the community at its heart.

“We look forward to continuing to build our relationship with Tangmere Parish Council and the community as we progress with the details of the reserved matters planning applications.”

Following the outcome of the CPO process it is anticipated Countryside will submit initial reserved matters applications in early 2022, with construction commencing later that year.