Dear Residents,
I hope you enjoyed the Easter Break and had time to relax with your family and loved ones. May is looking like an eventful month with multiple bank holidays looming and the coronation of the King. This will be a historical event which many will never have experienced or if they had it will be but a distant memory. There are lots of brilliant activities taking place across the ward and I hope to meet many of you there. As I write this, I am a mere three days until I return back to work. Some of you will be aware that aside from being a District Councillor I am also an Assistant Principal in a school and am an A-Level and GCSE teacher. Therefore, I am acutely aware that many of our younger residents will have spent the Easter Break preparing for their exams. To them I want to wish you the very best of luck. Work hard and be proud of your achievements! You have got this!
Local Updates:
Lagoon 3 (Crouchlands Farm) – The public rights of way have now been opened to the public. However, with Lagoon 3 still in situ I have asked for a risk assessment to be published so that residents can be assured it is safe to use these pathways .
21/00466/OUT – Land West of Cornwood Townfield Kirdford – Latest update is this will go to April Planning Committee. I remain unhappy about the extended period this has been given for determination and have raised this with the planning officer .
Crouchlands Proposed Developments and 22/02346/OUT Foxbridge Golf Club Foxbridge Lane – I continue to follow both these applications closely and am supporting residents in making comments on both. They are both very complex planning applications, and with Water Neutrality still an issue it is unlikely they will be resolved quickly. However, should you wish to comment on either it is recommended that you do so sooner rather than later.
CDC Updates:
Chichester District Elections take place on Thursday 4th May. Residents are reminded that photographic ID is now required if you do intend to vote in person. Further information can be found on Chichester District Council Website:https://www.chichester.gov.uk/article/37434/Electors-in-Chichester-District-will-now-need-to-bring-photo-ID-to-vote-at-a-polling-station-in-Mays-local-elections
Damp and Mould update – The Housing Standards Team continues to provide advice to residents on how best to manage moisture in the home through our media platforms. Tenants experiencing damp and mould within their property should always notify their landlord in the first instance. If the problem worsens, or the landlord’s response is unsatisfactory tenants should contact the Housing Standards Team for help and advice. The leaflet below has been produced to support residents https://www.chichester.gov.uk/media/36430/Damp-Leaflet-Nov2021/pdf/Damp_leaflet_Nov2021
Proposed Submission Local Plan – Regulation 19 Consultation: The consultation on the council’s new Local Plan has now closed. CDC have received approximately 1,600 representations from some 231 individuals/organisations. The Policy team are busy entering those representations that were sent in hardcopy and email and so this number may rise slightly, as this task is completed. Entering responses and ensuring comments are logged against the correct policies will take time to complete. Once this is done officers will assess the comments received and consider responses required, including any potential amendments necessary to ensure legal soundness. This will likely be completed by June.
Meeting your District Councillor
I am available for home visits or one to one meetings at alternative dates/venues upon request. Get in touch! by phone 07958 918056 or by email gbevans@chichester.gov.uk
Gareth Benjamin Evans, District Councillor for Loxwood Ward