Issue - meetings

Approve (x2)

Miss Chivers presented the item to Members and drew attention to the information provided in the Update Sheet.

Mr Ayling then responded to Member’s comments and questions.  He explained that the calculation of housing need was undertaken with reference to Government standard methodology but this not directly applicable to the Chichester plan area.  It required some interpretation and in this regard advice had been taken from specialist consultants, and was considered in line with national guidance.  Housing density would also be considered as appropriate, as an option which was open to the Council.  Consultation would support reflection, would not necessarily result in resourcing issues, and would lead to an improved final document. 

Mr Ayling further explained with reference to the Infrastructure planning and delivery, there was a mechanism in place for understanding specific infrastructure needs associated with each development, which involved appropriate consultations with all necessary agencies for example Southern Water, Highways England West Sussex County Council as the education authority.  He added that it would be advantageous to bring forward a plan quickly, to support the coordination and understanding of the requirements.  In the intervening time, it was vital to determine applications.  There are a number of matters to consider over the coming months; most importantly the extent to which the Council has a housing supply, and the expectation was that there would be just under four years supply from 15 July onwards.  This would change continuously as individual sites came forward, delivery rates altered with the impact of the wider economy and restrictions resulting from Coronavirus, and new applications submitted.  The gap between actual housing supply and the required five year housing supply was a significant matter, and it was within the Council’s gift to revise the draft document as necessary.

Mr Ayling confirmed that the West Sussex Cycling Design Guide at paragraph 6.2 criteria 8 could be included in the document.  With regards to ecosystem services, a policy approach adopted by the South Downs National Park Authority, focused on the standards of construction, and biodiversity net gain he suggested that whilst the draft document consultation process was on-going, these matters could be given further consideration by officers within the Chichester context.

Mr Ayling further confirmed that deleting Para 6.2 criteria 7 reference to DM34 Open Space, Sport and Recreation cited in the emerging Local Plan would be appropriate, to ensure developers understood the current status with regards to development management proposals.  On the question of consultation, the document was non-statutory and as such the Council could take the process forward as it considered appropriate.  Therefore it was suggested that it would be undertaken as an on-line focused consultation, with consultation arrangements utilising the current database of statutory consultees, individuals and organisations who have previously expressed an interest in planning policy and who will receive the standard letter to confirm the consultation was underway with hard copies provided on request.  He added that it would the decision of each Parish Council to conclude how it would disseminate information  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86