District Dispatch

I’m pleased to say that the council has now adopted its ambitious new Climate Emergency Action Plan, which sets out a range of actions and projects that we will take forward and deliver over the next five years.

Lat year, we ran our ‘Let’s Talk: Climate Change’ consultation to gather people’s views on the types of climate change initiatives that they wanted us to prioritise. Over 1,300 people visited the online survey to have their say and the feedback we received was vital in helping us develop our new plan. I’d like to thank everyone who helped shape this important piece of work, which is a real reflection of what people want us to do locally in response to climate change.

The five-year plan was agreed last month and identifies a wide range of actions, including significantly increasing our work to help households cut their energy bills and reduce carbon emissions. This was something that a significant number of people told us that they wanted to see. In our district, the second largest source of emissions is from housing, and this is also the area where we — as a council — can help make one of the biggest differences. We will be taking on a dedicated housing decarbonisation officer who will help people make their homes more energy efficient and use more solar power by providing information and helping people to access funding.

People who responded to our survey were also keen to see the work of our tree officer continue, and so once the current central Government funding for the post ends, this work will be funded by the council. Other projects include looking at opportunities for enabling carbon storage in coastal habitats; using planning policy to increase street tree planting and green travel plans for new developments; developing the network of climate action groups throughout the district; working with schools to encourage debate and action on climate change; and collaborating with other West Sussex councils to look at the work being done to adapt to climate risks facing the area and what additional work needs to be done.

In addition, the plan includes setting up regular networking events for public sector employers and other not-for-profit organisations so they can share knowledge, collaborate on projects, and identify climate change policies for community organisations to easily incorporate into their work. This complements the council’s work to support Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises to grow their business sustainably, adapt to climate change and set measurable climate-related goals.

The plan also includes actions that the council will take to reduce its own emissions. This includes looking for a suitable lower carbon fuel to replace the diesel used by its refuse collection vehicles and looking for a contract with a green electricity provider that offers credible greenhouse gas emission reductions. Both actions would significantly reduce the council’s emissions and set it on the path to be net zero by 2040.

Although there’s no legal requirement for the council to achieve net zero — either through the organisation or in the district — our council declared a climate emergency in 2019. We’re absolutely committed to doing what we can to reduce our own impact on the environment and support others to make effective changes. We also want to seize ‘win-win’ opportunities to improve the urban and natural environment in our area and help with reducing the cost of living long-term.

This plan is about bringing everyone in the district together to help tackle a crisis that affects us all. There are some things that can only be successfully accomplished at a national or international level, but our plan meets the widespread local demand to take the lead on the areas where we have the most influence locally — directly or indirectly — and can make the biggest difference.

To keep up-to-date on climate change initiatives, sign up to our dedicated email newsletter:www.chichester.gov.uk/climatechangenewsletter

Best Wishes

Cllr Jonathan Brown

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environmental Strategy at Chichester District Council

Date of Release:20 August 2025 Ref:4509

Council adopts new Chichester Local Plan

Chichester District Council has officially adopted the Chichester Local Plan 2021–2039, following approval at a Full Council meeting on Tuesday 19 August.

This marks a significant milestone in shaping the future of the area, setting out a comprehensive vision for the area’s economy; transport and housing needs; environmental and historic protection; community health and wellbeing; and cultural development.

The adopted plan, which covers the area of the Chichester District outside the South Downs National Park, identifies housing requirements and development areas to support economic growth and deliver new homes over the next 14 years. It also includes a wide range of policies addressing areas such as design standards, climate change, and the natural environment.

“This is a major achievement and great news for our area and communities,” says Cllr Bill Brisbane, Cabinet Member for Planning at Chichester District Council. “The Chichester Local Plan has been one of the most complex pieces of work we have ever undertaken. The council has worked incredibly hard to prepare and now adopt the new Local Plan, having faced a number of significant challenges, particularly around roads, wastewater, and water neutrality.

“Planning affects where we live, work and relax; where new shops and community facilities are built; and it protects our historic buildings and the natural environment. The Local Plan addresses all of these issues and more, helping to make Chichester a vibrant and greener area. This gives us the opportunity to create a better future for our residents and businesses.

“Preparing a Local Plan is a difficult and lengthy process, and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in completing this important piece of work. This includes everyone who has shared their views in the public consultations that we carried out in the lead up to, and throughout, the examination process — your input has played an important role in shaping the plan.”

Adoption of the plan follows completion of an independent examination process, which began in May last year when the council submitted the plan to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate. The Inspectors assessed the plan, supporting evidence, and public feedback, and held a series of public hearings before identifying a number of ‘main modifications’ needed to make the plan ‘sound’. In April and May, the council consulted on these modifications and after reviewing the responses, the Inspectors issued a final report confirming that the plan, with the recommended modifications, is sound, legally compliant, and ready for adoption.

The Local Plan will guide future development and provide the policies against which planning applications will be assessed. It also supports parish councils in preparing neighbourhood plans.

Bill adds: “All Planning Authorities are expected to meet the housing needs figure that is set by central Government for their Local Plan area. This drives the current level of housing supply and the housing requirement, which forms the basis for the Local Plan.

“Given the local challenges we face — particularly around transport infrastructure and environmental constraints — the plan we submitted for examination proposed a housing requirement of around 90% of the government’s housing needs figure for this area. However, based on the evidence, which included representations from National Highways in relation to the A27, the Inspectors concluded that there wasn’t sufficient justification to set a housing requirement lower than the full identified housing need. However, they permitted a stepped requirement, beginning with 575 homes per year as originally proposed by the council, but only for the years up to 2029/30, increasing to 701 per year following this, to enable an average of 638 homes per year over the full plan period.

“The Inspectors agreed that the most suitable location for housing growth is Chichester and the east/west corridor, which is where the majority of the proposed new housing and strategic sites are located within the Local Plan.

“The adopted plan also includes a wide range of robust policies aimed at protecting and conserving our area’s environment and historic character. It places greater emphasis on design standards and includes more policies relating to the natural environment.

“While the plan seeks to use as many brownfield sites as possible for development, our area lacks a legacy of large industrial sites that are suitable for significant levels of brownfield redevelopment. However, where opportunities do exist, for example in the Southern Gateway area, the plan sets out how the council will actively work to utilise these and unlock potential.”

People can find more information about the Chichester Local Plan, at:www.chichester.gov.uk/localplan. Information relating to the examination process, can be found at: www.chichester.gov.uk/localplanexaminationand the Planning Inspectors full report and the Full Council report are both available at: www.chichester.gov.uk/localplanexaminationnews