In March, the district council produced consultation documents looking at two key areas which are subject to development pressure.

The Graylingwell Hospital and Roussillon Barracks areas were covered by the Draft North East Chichester Supplementary Planning Document.

The bus and rail terminals in the south of the City, and land around Chichester Canal were covered by the Draft Southern Gateway Supplementary Planning Document.

The council asked interested individuals and organisations for their views, and the majority of the comments were positive.

However, some serious concerns were expressed about the potential development.

As a result, the council has taken the decision to formally 'withdraw' the documents rather than face the prospect of legal challenge.

Councillor Myles Cullen, leader of the district council, said: "There has been a large amount of work undertaken, as well as time and effort given by the public in responding to the consultation exercise.

"Although the documents are being withdrawn, they have been important in directing developers interested in the sites.

"The owners of the Graylingwell site, English Partnerships, have used the contents of the North East Chichester Supplementary Planning Document at its various stages, to put together its development brief and masterplan for the site."

The council will produce further guidance on these sites if appropriate, after the new Core Strategy has been produced. Once adopted, the Core Strategy will replace the 1999 Chichester District Local Plan.



What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news
Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news
Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP