Decision details

To review and approve the draft Chichester Vision prior to public consultation. The Vision will set out how the City Centre might develop over the next 20 years. It will:

-        Be a clear articulation of ‘what we want Chichester to be;

-        Ensure that all past, current and future proposals, ideas and opportunities take account of each other to produce a cohesive approach;

-        Set-out a wide range of projects and strategic proposals, including a number of previous items worthy of reconsideration;

-        Identify and articulate the opportunities for significant economic growth and job creation, and the risks of missing opportunities and stifling growth; and

-        Provide the guiding principles for a new planning policy framework for the City, and form the basis of a strategy to attract inward investment into the City.

Expected outcomes:

Key project outcomes and potential outcome measures are as detailed in sections 4.2 and 4.3 of the PID.

Mr Oates explained some key points the Vision project hopes to address:

·       The impact of activities in and around the city centre

·       The reduction in footfall due to online retail.

·       Socialisation activities.

·       Underutilised city centre assets.

·       Employment and jobs.

The Vision will set out how the city of Chichester should look in 20 years’ time.

Mr Oates explained the importance of high level of analysis from the right type of research. So far there have been workshops and focus groups and satisfaction surveys. A public consultation will begin in September.

Mrs Shepherd added that the vision is a partnership project working with WSCC, the BID, Visit Chichester, Goodwood, the University of Chichester and Chichester College.

Members asked the following questions:

·       Why is there little reference about the need for overnight accommodation? There is a lack of accommodation in the city and during large events all accommodation is booked. There is a need for more overnight accommodation which will provide an increase in visitor spend. Tourism South East Research are considering options.

·       What is being done about the insufficient hotel accommodation? Within the city walls there is a 36 bed hotel. There are also two branded hotels. To attract hotel chains to the city there needs to be serious intent on increasing the value of the visitor economy. The city should attract people from a 50/60 mile radius for short breaks. More events are needed throughout the year.

·       How will access to the city be addressed? Stagecoach and Southern Railways are involved in project groups. The WSCC Road Space Audit will provide greater information on travel routes in and out of the city. It will also be important to consider how visitors will find their way around once they are in the city and how accessible the city is.

·       Will the final decision be taken by Cabinet or Council? A draft Vision will be considered at Cabinet before being approved Full Council.

·       Why is there no mention of the A27 impact? The vision is concerned with attracting people to the city. It is not possible to take into account the A27 at present as it is a changeable entity.

·       Can the need to develop a night time economy be clarified? The evening or night time economy could be bigger and better than it already is. There is a lack of linkage between large numbers of visitors to the theatre and visitors to the city. There are no jazz clubs, comedy clubs, concert halls or late meal eateries. There is also a lack of provision for students, although this does not have to mean a nightclub. Late night shopping is also a possibility. There are smaller centres than Chichester which are more vibrant.

·       Which towns and cities have Vision’s in place relevant to Chichester? Canterbury, Dorchester, Ipswich, Leeds, Sheffield, St Albans, Winchester, Worcester and York either have areas of similarity or strong Vision processes which Chichester can learn from.

·       How can we get more young people into the city given the lack of evening transport? Some transport operators take young people out of the city to Brighton and Portsmouth. Operators will provide transport if there is serious intent that it will be used.

·       Are there plans to remove the level crossing at the station which blocks access to the city? A view will need to be taken on what is technically possible outside of the Vision project.

·       Will opening up to the sea be part of the Vision? The scope does not extend to opening the canal up to the sea.

Members were concerned that there was a lack of attention being given to the access to and from the city and wished to see the long term provision improved.

RESOLVED

That the committee notes the progress to date in preparing a Vision for Chichester City.

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET

That the committee’s concern regarding the lack of attention being given to access to and from the city be noted and that the long term provision be improved.