New date set for planning appeal on 200 homes at Chidham and Nutbourne

The initial planning inquiry was postponed

Two planning applications for a combined 200 homes off the A259 at Chidham and east of Broad Road in Nutbourne will now go before planning inspectors.

One application is for outline permission for up to 132 dwellings at the land east of Broad Toad at Nutbourne, and the second is for up to 68 homes on neighbouring Flat Farm off the A259 at Chidham, both by developer Pallant Homes Ltd.

An initial public inquiry was set to take place in August 2022, but it was postponed as the venue was not large enough when around 120 people turned up.

At the time, Jane Towers vice chair of Chidham & Hambrook Parish Council, said: “We were overwhelmed by the number of residents who turned up to support our opposition to these planning proposals. It clearly shows the strength of feeling against building 200 houses on high grade agricultural land in a location loved for its wildlife, long-distance views to the South Downs and proximity to Chichester Harbour. We believe the harms would be significant and so do our residents.”

The public inquiry will now be heard from Wednesday, January 4 at 10am at Emsworth Baptist Church, North Street. It is expected to run until Friday, January 20.

It will be live streamed for those who cannot attend, and details will be available via Chichester District Council’s website from January 3 at: https://www.chichester.gov.uk/planningappeals%20

The planning applications were rejected by Chichester District Council in October 2021 over environmental and sewage concerns.

The appeal documents are available for inspection at Chichester District Council Offices or through the council’s website by searching using the planning application reference CH/20/03320/OUTEIA and CH/20/03321/OUTEIA.