Agenda item

The Committee is requested to note the content of the report.

RESOLVED

That the Committee noted the report.

Miss Bell introduced the report.

The following member of the public addressed the Committee:

Mr Philip Maber – Objector

During the discussion Members debated the timelines and slippage, the developers’ plans for the southern access with dates, and the trigger points.  Miss Bell drew Members attention to report which confirmed the timescales that the southern access would be available for construction traffic by the occupation of the 200^th dwelling and for all traffic by the occupation of the 250^th and this is an informative on the outline planning.  Miss Bell added that officers were aware of the interest in this matter, that a quarterly update would be presented at the Planning Committee meeting, and officers were regularly meeting with the developers, in order to gain updated information.

Members sought further clarification regarding a potential meeting to discuss designs for the southern end of Centurion Way.  Miss Bell responded that she had not yet seen plans for this area.  Discussions with Bishop Luffa School were in relation to them as land owners, and she would aim obtain further information regarding the timescales for when consultations would be progressed but did not have any further information at this time.  Miss Bell added that it would be important for West Sussex County Council to be involved in such discussions.

Members further discussed the necessity for assurances that progress would be made regarding the land negotiations for the southern access.  Mr Whitty confirmed that at the current time, with regards to the five year supply, west of Chichester was not yet in the situation which had been experienced at Tangmere.  A Compulsory Purchase Order would require significant evidence that progress would not be achieved.  Mr Whitty added that further information would be provided in the next quarterly update and if necessary a request would be made for the developers to attend.  With regards to the southern access, the reason for the informative and not a legally binding trigger was because the Highways Authority could not in its professional view state that it was necessary for the southern access to be brought forward to enable phase one to be acceptable.  The Chairman sought clarification regarding whether as the developers had given assurance that the southern access would be delivered by the end of phase one, could some leverage be employed in terms of permitting phase two.  The Chairman also commented that the design discussions would be the responsibility of the Highways Authority and the developers. Mr Whitty responded that the Highways Authority would be relied upon for advice although CDC as the Planning Authority would approve the proposals.  Off-site works were entirely the responsibility of West Sussex County Council as the Highways Authority, but CDC still had control over highways within the site.  Mr Whitty also confirmed that the developers were not stalling proceedings, CDC was not party to the discussions and therefore could not state the cause of delay but that were several land parties and the developers did not own the site.

Mr Whitty further confirmed that officers would approach the developers to request they met with Mr Grimshaw (designer of Centurion Way).

That the Committee noted the report.