Dear Residents,
I hope you enjoyed the Summer season with some wonderful weather with friends and family. There were some fabulous events in the community arranged by local volunteers including the Wisborough Green Fete and Plaistow Fun Run. A huge thanks to everyone that gives up their precious time to make living here that bit more special.
Local Updates:
Townfield Planning Application, Kirdford: On Wednesday 9th July Cllr. Gareth Evans attended the Planning Committee alongside members of Kirdford Parish Council at East Pallant House in Chichester to be the voice of the many residents who had raised valid concerns over the unsustainable and inappropriate proposed development at Land West of Cornwood, Kirdford.
Cllr. Gareth Evans raised frustration that this application was first submitted to Chichester District Council in February 2021 and that this was an unreasonable timeframe to have left this hanging over resident’s heads. He also highlighted annoyance that the new government housing targets for the district means CDC now only have a 2.01-year housing land supply and this was cited as one of the reasons for permitting, yet he pointed out had it been determined in a reasonable time this would never have been a factor.
Cllr. Gareth Evans believes that many months before we got to this point this application should have been either refused or withdrawn by the applicant until they have a scheme which was appropriate and met planning policy. Unfortunately, the planning committee could not find a way to go against the officer’s recommendation to approve the outline application, but they still need to get water neutrality signed off before this can go ahead.
Loxwood Farm Place (25/01686/OUT): Martin Grant Homes has submitted a planning application for 223 dwellings, along with associated infrastructure including a Class E building (Nursery and Café) and allotments on land at Loxwood Farm Place (Ref: 25/01686/OUT).
The timing for this application is premature. The new Chichester Local Plan is due to be adopted in less than two weeks, and the Loxwood Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group is working hard to publish the updated Neighbourhood Plan shortly after. It is this plan that should guide development in line with community priorities—not speculative applications from developers.
Importantly, Policy A15 of the new Local Plan acknowledges that Loxwood faces infrastructure constraints, particularly around sewage disposal, transport, and medical services. Development in the area is expected to proceed more gradually to align with planned infrastructure improvements.
As Chair of the Chichester District Council Planning Committee, Cllr. Charles Todhunter is limited in what he can say about this application to avoid being ‘pre-determined’ ahead of committee discussions. However, Cllr Gareth Evans will be actively supporting residents to oppose this unsustainable planning application.
Planning enforcement breach, Pig Bush Lane: Councillor Charles Todhunter was recently alerted by residents to a potential planning breach involving the construction of a road and changes to land levels at Pigbush Lane in Alfold Bars. He was able to visit the site promptly and immediately contacted Enforcement Officers at Chichester District Council.
Following investigation, it was established that, while the entrance to the field falls within Chichester District, the majority of the works were taking place within the jurisdiction of Waverley Borough Council. Cllr. Todhunter and CDC Officers worked closely with their counterparts at Waverley, who have now issued a Temporary Stop Notice, halting further works on the site.
CDC Wide Updates
Nothing to report.
Meeting your District Councillors
Cllr. Gareth Evans is available to meet residents face to face via one of his regular surgeries. Gareth will be available at the advertised venues from 12pm-2pm:
The next series of surgeries are as follows:
Saturday 13th September – Kirdford Stores, Kirdford (TBC)
Saturday 27th September – The Stag Inn, Balls Cross
Saturday 4th October – Ifold Stores, Ifold
Saturday 18th October – Old Mill Café, Wisborough Green
Saturday 1st November – Northchapel Club, Northchapel (1pm-3pm)
If these dates and times do not suit it is also possible to arrange home visits, telephone calls or zoom meetings.
Our contact details:
Cllr. Gareth Evans, email: gbevans@chichester.gov.uk or telephone 07958 918056
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GarethEvansLoxwood
Cllr. Charles Todhunter, email ctodhunter@chichester.gov.uk or telephone 07500 577777
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Charles4Loxwood