Sustainable Community Strategy for Chichester District 2009-2026 Contents
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CHICHESTER DISTRICT: A VERY SPECIAL PLACE Inspired by the past, inspiring the future The Sustainable Community Strategy for Chichester District 2009-2026 Contents CHICHESTER DISTRICT: A VERY SPECIAL PLACE Inspired by the past, inspiring the future Introduction 5 Setting the Scene 6 A Well Run Area 8 The Priorities: • The Economy 1 0 • Environment 1 4 • Health and Wellbeing 1 8 • Housing and Neighbourhoods 24 • Transport and Access 30 Geographic outline • People and Places 34 What happens next? 37 Appendices What is the role of the LSP? 38 A Summary of the Consultation Responses 40 Sustainable Community Strategy 3 Introduction Chichester. For every one of us environmental. Even so this who live in, work in or visit the document, which reflects the district, and even those who don't views of all the key partners but still happen to know the area within the district, has been well, the word means something produced with that very intention. special. Invariably it has a good It recognises things that we resonance. Over 300 square miles already know such as our age of attractive landscapes, villages, profile and economic towns, and of course the city infrastructure and it uses this itself. information to prepare for the future. When one considers the While still in the navy in 1987 changes of the last twenty years it I was looking to put down roots on would be unrealistic to pretend the South Coast and opted for the that we could accurately predict one with undoubtedly the greatest the next twenty. However as appeal, Chichester District. A community leaders I believe it decision I have never regretted. would be irresponsible to not plan During those twenty years or so at all. the world has moved on and the district has changed as well but So in this document we have without losing those essential highlighted the key issues as we characteristics of Chichester - see them and listed our objectives beauty, charm and tranquillity which together we will work to with talented and friendly people achieve. Above all I hope we have many being entrepreneurs and been true to the spirit of creative individuals. There is Chichester by planning to change recognition and acceptance for for the future whilst respecting change and progress albeit in a both the past and the present. way that respects how we have arrived at where we are today. It is therefore a big responsibility to try and anticipate what could happen in the next twenty years Myles Cullen and to plan for future changes, be Chairman they demographic or Chichester in Partnership Sustainable Community Strategy 5 Setting the scene Chichester District - A Very Special Place Inspired by the past, inspiring the future Chichester District has a unique This exploitation has left us with The assets of the natural blend of city, coast and a wealth of cultural heritage environment as well as the fabric countryside. If you stripped the second to none with protected of our settlements are what local district back to its natural assets monuments, buildings, people treasure and expect us to you would find an area of conservation areas, parks and promote and protect whilst immense variety and beauty, gardens. These help to shape transforming the district into a comprised of rich downland our modern communities, giving place that is fit to meet the features in the north through a them a sense of history, place challenges of the 21st century. plain endowed with natural and identity that many places These special qualities are what resources essential to a modern lack today. But they also have to people have sought from the country, to the variety of be managed and looked after, district over generations and wetlands in the coastal and alongside the challenges continue to be a major driver harbour areas in the south. presented with modern behind inward migration. Through this are a number of development. Channelling that process into landscape features that help to create the character of many of our communities, some accessible, some remote. Chichester is a large rural area, most of which supports mixed agricultural activity with many miles of hedgerows and trees. Taken together they create an environment that is worthy of protection, with thousands of protected trees, a considerable number of Sites of Special Scientific Interest and nearly three quarters of the district being classified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It has a myriad of unique and special features that combine to create a rich backdrop that has been exploited by generations over thousands of years. 6 Sustainable Community Strategy everyday activities is difficult Our thinking is a reflection of without the added problem of data, information and feedback frailty. It also presents from a whole range of people challenges in terms of service who live in or visit the district provision, particularly for those either for work or pleasure, and providing high cost intensive should present as rounded a services such as those related to view of the issues as possible. primary health care. Lastly it is important to stress Conversely we have fewer that the priorities are not younger people staying here, exhaustive and just because with much of our talent and skill something is not included in the leaving for other locations. In a priority sections does not mean world economy, investing in our that it will be neglected or lost work force is essential in order sight of. We have shown to maintain a competitive edge, ourselves to be guardians of the yet we have been less successful best things in the district and in protecting and nurturing them the every day efforts that have than we have our natural assets. enabled that to happen will activities that naturally Given our success in drawing in continue. We want to be shaped complement the area - such as new people and talent, we have by the past but inspired by the tourism and culture, remains a also seen the impact of this on future. primary objective of this the housing system, with house strategy, alongside the prices often out of the reach of development of the services and those on modest incomes. In infrastructure for everyday living. this situation people seek help with their housing and pressures Yet challenges abound despite to build more rises to meet the the richness of assets that the need. This is not always Did you district contains. Its very nature welcome and in turn can draws people to it from far become a source of community know? afield, many in their retirement. stress and tension. When looking at the There are 3,500 listed demographic profile in 25 years Meeting a growing range of time we see a far larger number needs from our community both buildings, 84 of older people than you would old and young, well off and less Conservation Areas expect to find in a lot of other well off, urban and rural has to and over 200 Ancient places in England and Wales be our aim. This document is Monuments in the and of them more are over the start. It sets out what the 85 years of age presenting issues are, how we think they District. challenges for health and caring can be addressed and through services. This is especially true what means. It links to other for those in rural areas where documents and will shape new access to transport, services and ones over the years to come. Sustainable Community Strategy 7 A well run area A well run district contributes to District remains a very special this would not be the case if we achieving the objectives and place. Regulation and did not have an excellent police priorities set out in this enforcement is required to service alongside much document, however the ensure that people visiting, community safety partnership priorities could well be living and working in the district working. It is a high priority for significantly different if we were do so in safe and healthy those who live, work and visit not protecting and regulating in conditions and in an the district that we continue to the way that we do. The way in environment that is protected. maintain these low crime rates which the area is run is vital to and in this respect the making Chichester such an Many of the things we take for partnership's commitment to a attractive area to live, visit and granted about the District would safe area cuts across all of the work in - all part of what makes not come about if the various strategy. This is the case for it such a special place. agencies did not exercise their many other factors that we take powers to protect and enhance for granted. Another example is Strategies and plans alone will all activity (be that in relation to that occurrences of businesses not ensure that Chichester people, businesses or the polluting locally are currently environment). For example rare, but if there was no although we experience low regulation of this then it is levels of crime in the district, possible the situation could 8 Sustainable Community Strategy change which would have a significant effect on our health and the local environment. It is important to protect our communities by taking appropriate action against those who do not respect our district, thereby ensuring that we are all able to continue to enjoy it. There are many functions involved in ensuring the district is well run; whether it be protecting us from harm and fraud, protecting the environment around us or helping to deliver economic prosperity.