Andrew Griffith, Arundel and South Downs MP, has slammed Chichester District Council for the latest version of its Local Plan which will devastate rural villages in the north of the District.
The Planning Inspector’s 55-page report, and 108-page supporting document of modifications to the Local Plan sets out how Chichester must deliver ‘at least’ 11,484 houses by 2039. This is 1,125 more houses for the district than initially expected. Under the outgoing Chichester local plan, the housing delivery was far lower at 435 houses a year, but for the year 2024/25 around 634 completions are expected which far exceeds the delivery expectation.
The inspector has recommended a stepped trajectory for Chichester to deliver the houses, starting with 575 houses a year to 2029/30, then 701 houses a year to 2038/39.
Chichester District Council prepare the Local Plan and remain responsible for the choices within it but as part of the process it had to be reviewed by the Planning Inspector.
On behalf of his constituents Mr Griffith has repeatedly called for the Council to make changes to utilise more brownfield sites and cluster development near to the extensive infrastructure and facilities of the City of Chichester itself.
The failure to do so - which the Conservative MP laid at the door of the ruling Liberal Democrat group who dominate the council - means Loxwood and neighbouring villages remain a strategic location for more houses with an overwhelming 220 houses being forced on the community.
Mr Griffith upheld his view that this is still the wrong location for a strategic site because it is a rural location which lacks the infrastructure and rural transport links to sustainably accommodate such an increase.
On the latest Chichester Local Plan, Andrew Griffith said:
“History will not be kind to those whose fingerprints are on this plan.
“It’s a devastating blow for rural communities, nature and for democracy. It’s simply laughable how Chichester Lib Dems spend ratepayers money on climate whilst unleashing columns of bulldozers against the most rural and nature rich parts of the district.”
“Time and time again I have urged them to rethink. It is disappointing that the council did not take the opportunity to really strengthen its commitment to the preservation of landscapes and protection of rural villages from too much housing and industrial sized solar farms, and Loxwood is one of those villages which is taking the hit on both.”
