This week I have been at the Conservative Party Conference. It has been a busy week as we’re a bit thin on the ground with many of my colleagues remaining in Westminster.
For me, that meant speaking at 20 events and panel discussions, and as some of you may have seen, jumping on different news programmes throughout the day. All in all, it has been a really positive week discussing how we can improve everything from social care to climate change. As we left, the Prime Minister was preparing to send a proposal to Brussels. I’m hoping we can finally break the deadlock and deliver a deal which ensures an orderly Brexit.
Back home, the focus at the district council continues to be on housing. It is clear that there is a need for additional housing due to the increasing population, increasing life expectancy and an average house price of just under £360,000, which is making it a huge challenge for people trying to get on the housing ladder. Chichester District Council’s (CDC) Local Plan is aiming to deliver 650 houses a year by 2035. Housing sites are always a controversial topic as existing residents are concerned about traffic, increased use of services, and even sewage facilities. I have met with the leader and chief executive of CDC and councillors, there is clearly an appetite for the newly elected councillors to review the Local Plan and reassess potential housing sites. I have written to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, to establish if an extension could be granted.
Balancing the need for housing with local concerns about development in the area is a tricky task, particularly in Chichester as we are lucky enough to have both a protected national park and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at the harbour. I have heard from and met with residents to listen to their views and I am planning a meeting with 11 of our parish councils to ensure that voices are heard. In response to feedback, CDC are working towards a policy to ensure that any new development will not add any nitrates into the harbour.
The Local Plan is key to ensuring that as a community we have control over where development is taking place. Without an agreed plan, it would be difficult to protect our area from developers, as such a beautiful area would undoubtedly attract considerable investment. I hope we can achieve an extension so a fully supported plan that preserves the environment we live in, whilst ensuring we meet the housing needs for the future, can be agreed and adopted.