Dear Residents,
I hope you had a enjoyable half-term break for those of you with school age children. When you read this, the clocks will have gone back and I dare say it will be feeling quite wintery. If anyone is struggling over the winter please do reach out to the District Council’s Supporting You team who can help with a range of issues such as debt, employment and wellbeing. Email supportingyou@chichester.gov.uk or call 01243 534860. Below are a few updates on items that Gareth & I have been working on recently.
Local Updates:
Crouchlands Farm Development – No further updates at this stage. The Planning Appeal inquiry took place from 1st to 17th October and we hope to be able to provide an outcome shortly.
Lagoon 3 – The preliminary hearing of the defendant’s appeal took place on 19th September at Lewes Crown Court. This hearing was primarily administrative to discuss deadlines for submission of documentation and to set the date for the final hearing. This will take place on 6th February 2025 at Lewes Crown Court.
Local Plan – The Local Plan examination is currently underway in the Committee Rooms at Chichester District Council and ran from the 1st to the 10th of October before taking a break, resuming on Tuesday 12th November. The timetable (subject to change) and useful information about observing or watching the livestream can be found on the CDC website here: https://www.chichester.gov.uk/localplanexaminationstatements
Land West of Cornwood (Townfield), Kirdford – The developer of this very long running application has now provided documents for a revised scheme, reducing the number of dwellings from 70 to 50 (amongst other changes). We are in regular contact with the officer dealing with this application and will continue to push for a determination before the end of this year and bring this to a close for residents of Kirdford.
Loxwood Shop – Antler Homes have confirmed that they have exchanged contracts with a purchaser for the retail premises and that they expect to issue a press release with details of the new shop owner in the very near future.
CDC Wide Updates
Cabinet & Committee Changes – a small number of Cabinet Member and Committee Member changes were announced at the CDC Full Council Meeting on 1st October:
- David Betts becomes Vice-Chair of the Council
- John Cross becomes Cabinet Member for Sport, Place & Culture
- Harsha Desai becomes Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Communication & Events
- Oona Hickson becomes Cabinet Member for Housing, Revenue & Benefits
- Stephen Jonson becomes Vice-Chair of the Planning Committee
Pension Credits Campaign – The Council is currently one of a number of organisations running a campaign encouraging those aged over State Pension age to check to see if they are eligible for Pension Credits and the Winter Fuel Allowance. Visit https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit to check your eligibility or call our Supporting You team on 01243 534860.
Community Orchards Funding – Grants are now available to plant more community orchards across the District in public spaces. A total of £9,000 is available, as part of the second round of the Tree Chichester District Community Orchard initiative. The fund is open until Friday 17 January and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. It will help to pay for trees and items, such as stakes, cages and tree ties. All planting must be completed before the end of March 2025. Those wishing to apply should request an application for by emailing: treescheme@chichester.gov.uk
Stopham Mount – We’re launching a crowdfunding campaign this month to help us keep a rare local Saxon find within Chichester District. The rare Anglo-Saxon gold and garnet pyramidical sword mount, which was discovered in 2022 near Stopham in the Chichester District, dates back to 600-700 AD and is only the second of its kind to be found in West Sussex. If successful in crowdfunding, the local treasure would be displayed in the Novium museum’s first-floor gallery, within an area dedicated to Saxon history. The gallery is free of charge to visit, making the piece accessible to all. The crowdfunding campaign will run until Tuesday 19 November. www.thenovium.org.uk/stophamtreasure
Meeting your District Councillors
The winter series of surgeries will be publicised soon on Facebook and the next parish magazine. Until then it is 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
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:
Saturday 24th August 2024 – The Stag Inn, Balls Cross
Saturday 7th September 2024 – Kirdford Stores, Kirdford
Saturday 21st September 2024 – Old Mill Café, WisboroughGreen
Should the suggested dates not be suitable for you or there are any other reasons preventing you from attending then it is 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