Agenda item

(Prior to the consideration of this application, Councillor Mrs Yeates had declared a prejudicial interest and was placed in the virtual waiting room and so took no part in the debate or vote.)

The Chairman reminded members that this was a high level framework masterplan for a site that is allocated within the Local Plan, the purpose of the master plan tis to provide a vision and  broad design principals for the site rather than details of how the infrastructure will be delivered it is not an opportunity to revisit the principals of the BEW allocation or the route of the A29 realignment. The recommendation included the submission of a phasing and delivery plan. Discussion should remain around the overarching principals set out in the framework masterplan.

          The Senior Planning Officer advised Members that the masterplan would see a development of 4,300 homes whilst this was an increase the report did make clear previously that the originally reported 3000 homes was a minimum number. He gave a clear update on where the development was at in its process. He confirmed that the site would deliver a number of community facilities from nurseries to two schools, he confirmed that a mix of housing densities would be required across the site. The Northern portion of the A29 would be delivered by West Sussex County Council. The southern portion would be the first part of the substantive application for the site delivered. Due to the area around the Lidsey Rife being at higher risk of flooding, housing had been directed away from this area and drainage of the site works on the basis of a series of attenuation basins which would store water and result in a controlled discharge. Linear Park area had been planned to provide not only a defined feature for the site but also hydrological and ecological benefits to the district. Officers are satisfied that the framework masterplan would provide a flexibility for all eventualities and would allow a robust package towards infrastructure to be secured. In summary he stated that the framework masterplan had come from extensive discussions with developers and officers. Developers had made appropriate concessions throughout the process to ensure alignment with the adopted Local Plan. It also established the principals against which planning applications would be submitted and when.

          Members were complimentary to the “high quality” framework and had agreement that it would deliver the objective of the Local Plan. Concern was highlighted on the following;

·       Traffic build up during the build

·       Public Transport improvement needed

·       Increase in number of homes

·       Area for Bat habitat

·   Clarity for the development of a footpath along the canal into the current bridleway

          The Senior Planning Officer addressed some of the concerns discussed and advised Members that one of the reasons for phasing of the development was to ensure good management of the number of houses built but was a matter to be determined at a later time. In terms of biodiversity throughout the lifetime of the development the environmental bill would come into effect and as part of that it would net gains would be achieved, the aim was for at least 10% but the indicative surveys suggest that, that will be exceeded. He also confirmed the footpath that was raised was located at Chichester Canal and while he couldn’t discuss in too much detail at this time as a future application would be submitted in relation to this, he confirmed more detail would be provided to Members at a later time.

The Committee

                               RESOLVED

that the ‘Barnham, Eastergate and Westergate Framework Masterplan Version for Endorsement November 2020’ be endorsed subject to the submission of a satisfactory Phasing and Delivery Plan being submitted to Officers for consideration and to be appended to the endorsed Framework Masterplan.