Core Strategy Options For

Agenda Item No. 9

ARUN LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK 2006-2026

CORE STRATEGY

OPTIONS FOR GROWTH CONSULTATION DOCUMENT

DRAFT – DECEMBER 2008

Agenda Item No. 9

CONTENTS PAGE

Part A – Introduction 1 Core Strategy Background Studies 2 Forthcoming Studies 3 Context for Local Development Framework 3

Part B – Identifying Issues and Opportunities 5 National Context 5 Regional and Sub-Regional Context 5 Local Context 7 A Spatial Portrait of Arun 8 Planning Context and Regeneration 12 Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats 15 Identifying Issues, Challenges and Opportunities 19

Part C – Vision and Objectives 24 Core Strategy Vision 24 Proposed Strategic Objectives 28

Part D – Spatial Options for Growth 33

Meeting Future Development Requirements 33 South East Plan Requirements 36 Meeting the Housing Requirements 36 Completions and Existing Commitments 37 Brownfield Sites 37 Greenfield Housing Requirement 38 Spatial Strategy to 2026 38 Spatial Option 1: Sustainable Urban Extensions 39 Spatial Option 2: New Settlement at Ford 43 Spatial Option 3: Expansion of Inland Villages 46

Part E – Summary and Questions 50

APPENDICES

Appendix 1 Key South East Plan Policies Relevant to the Arun LDF Core Strategy 51

Appendix 2 Arun Sustainable Community Strategy Priorities Analysis - 54 of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities And Threats

Appendix 3 Initial Assessment of Possible Development Locations 68

Appendix 4 Detailed Comparative Assessment of Development Locations 116

PART A - INTRODUCTION

1.1. This Options for Growth document sets out three alternative strategic growth strategies for Arun District for stakeholder and public comment.

1.2. This consultation is a key step towards producing a Core Strategy, a statutory planning document which will form a key part of the Arun Local Development Framework (LDF). Arun District Council is preparing the LDF under the new planning system introduced by the Government in 2004 and updated in 2008. The LDF will comprise a portfolio of planning documents which will replace the current Arun District Local Plan and set out a framework for planning and wider spatial policy decisions over the period to 2026.

1.3. The Core Strategy is the principal Development Plan Document. It is a strategic level document that will set out the spatial vision for the future of the District, and provide objectives and policy options towards meeting this vision. In doing so, it will build on the key priorities identified in Arun’s Sustainable Community Strategy “Our Kind of Place”, and will play a key role in delivering the vision for the District set out in the Community Strategy, as indicated in the diagram below. It will also form the context for other LDF documents to be prepared in due course.

Relationship of LDF Core Strategy to the Sustainable Community Strategy and key delivery mechanism

1.4. This Options for Growth document includes the following main sections: Part A: Introduction - Sets out the statutory requirements and context for the LDF Core Strategy. Part B: Identifying Issues and Opportunities – Presents the national, regional and local spatial planning context, sets out a spatial portrait of Arun, and identifies key issues, challenges and opportunities which the Core Strategy needs to address. Part C: Vision and Objectives – Sets out a spatial vision for Arun in 2026 and identifies broad strategic objectives for delivering the vision. Part D: Options for Growth – Presents three broad spatial strategies for meeting Arun’s growth and development requirements over the period to 2026. Part E: Summary and Questions – Provides a brief summary, including setting out the next stage of the Core Strategy process, followed by Consultation Questions.

1.5. The “Options for Growth” highlighted in this document have been influenced by the public responses the District Council received to its Core Strategy Issues and Options consultation in Autumn 2005. They also reflect ongoing consultation with major service providers, such as West Sussex County Council, Primary Care Trusts, Sussex Police, and the water and energy providers. Regular consultation has also been undertaken with key statutory bodies, including the Government Office for the South East (GOSE), the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), the Environment Agency, Natural England, English Heritage and the Highways Agency. In addition, the Council has undertaken or commissioned a number of specific studies on topics such as housing, employment, transport, open space, flood risk and habitats (see list below).

Core Strategy Background Studies

Settlement Sustainability Study 2007 Urban Housing Potential Study for Arun District 2006 Arun Housing Needs Survey 2003 Affordable Housing Viability Study 2005 Affordable Housing Viability Study 2006 Economic Viability of Affordable Housing Options - Update Study 2007 West Sussex Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment West Sussex Showpeople Study Arun and Chichester - Assessment of Employment Needs 2005 Coastal Districts Retail Study 2005 Arun Shopping Centre Survey and Indicative Shopping Centre Hierarchy 2006 Arun District Strategic Transport Study 2006 Landscape and Visual Amenity Aspects of Development Choices in Arun 2006 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

Forthcoming Studies

West Sussex Strategic Housing Market Assessment Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Open Space Sport & Recreation Study Arun Habitats Study Urban design and Landscape Study Infrastructure, Delivery and Funding Study

1.6. This document is not the Core Strategy, but a major step towards the development of the strategy. Once the results of this consultation are known, a draft Core Strategy will be prepared, which will include a refined version of the vision and strategic objectives, together with policies to deliver a detailed spatial strategy for Arun, taking account of this consultation and further detailed work currently being undertaken. This will then lead to the submission of a Core Strategy document to the Secretary of State for independent examination.

1.7. The Core Strategy will be followed by more detailed development plans which will translate the Core Strategy policies into more detailed proposals, and other non-strategic policies. Arun’s Local Development Scheme (LDS) sets out the timetable for preparation of Development Plan Documents for a three year period. The LDS can be viewed on the Arun Council website at http://www.arun.gov.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=4053

1.8. The Local Development Scheme will be revised in due course, to ensure a rolling, three year preparation timetable.

1.9. Arun District Council’s Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out how you can get involved in the preparation of development documents within the Local Development Framework. It also addresses public consultation relating to significant planning applications. To obtain a copy contact us, or view the Arun website: www.arun.gov.uk.

Context for LDF

1.10 Whilst the LDF forms the spatial expression of Arun’s Sustainable Community Strategy “Our Kind of Place”, it must also conform to national, regional and strategic planning guidance. If conflict were to arise, these requirements take precedence over locally derived preferences.

1.11 National Planning Guidance sets out the planning policies of Government in the form of Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPG’s), which are gradually being replaced by Planning Policy Statements (PPS’s). A full set of these can be viewed on the Communities and Local Government (CLG’s) website: http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1143802

1.12 Regional Planning Guidance for the South East region is at present set out in Regional Planning Guidance Note 9 (RPG9). More detailed strategic

planning policies for Arun District are set out in the West Sussex Structure Plan 2001-2016, prepared by West Sussex County Council and adopted in 2004. Both of these documents will shortly be replaced by a new Regional Spatial Strategy, “The South East Plan”. The South East Plan will set out a broad strategic planning framework and policies which will set the planning context for the LDF at the regional and sub-regional level. It will also specify the number of additional homes to be provided in the District from 2006 to 2026.

1.13 The Council has based this consultation document on the policies and figures included in the Secretary of State’s Proposed Modifications to the South East Plan, which were published for consultation in July 2008. The Secretary of State is expected to approve the final version of the South East Plan for adoption in 2009.

PART B – IDENTIFYING ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES

National Context

2.1 The Government’s overall objectives for planning are set out in Planning Policy Statement 1 (PPS1) – Delivering Sustainable Development. This identifies ‘sustainable development’ as the core principle underpinning the planning system, that is that planning should ensure a better quality of life for everyone, both now and for future generations.

Regional and Sub-Regional Context

South East Plan

2.2 The draft South East Plan incorporates sub-regional strategies which identify the key issues facing the different parts of the region, and sets out the scale and pattern of development envisaged. Arun District falls within the Sussex Coast sub-region which covers the length of the coast from Chichester to Rye. The strategy identifies the Sussex Coast as an area in need of extensive regeneration.

2.3 The particular challenges faced by the sub-region are how to: • improve economic performance and raise earnings; • deliver sufficient decent homes and provide a well integrated mix to meet the needs of the area; • create a better balance between jobs and homes, • reduce the house price/local earnings ‘affordability gap’; • minimise the need for out-commuting; • reduce deprivation and social exclusion by spreading the benefits of sustainable new development as widely as possible across local communities; • improve the transport links to reduce peripherality and assist take up of strategic employment sites; • achieve all of the above in the context of the constraints on land supply while respecting the sub-region’s high environmental quality.

2.4 Preparation of the South East Plan began in 2004 and is now nearly complete. A Public Examination of the draft Plan was held in late 2006/ early 2007, following which the Panel of Inspectors published recommendations in August 2007. The Secretary of State’s Proposed Changes to the draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the South East of England were published for consultation in July 2008. These set out a District housing requirement for Arun of 11,300 homes to be provided in the period 2006-2026. In addition, they include specific strategic planning policies to guide the pattern of growth and development in the Sussex Coast sub-region, as well as a range of other policies relevant to Arun’s LDF (see Appendix 1). The Secretary of State is expected to approve the South East Plan for adoption in 2009.

2.5 For further information visit the website of the South East of England Regional Assembly:www.southeast-ra.gov.uk

Ford Eco-town proposal

2.6 In July 2007 the Government issued a prospectus for ‘Eco-towns’, and invited interested parties to submit bids. This prospectus asked authorities to consider the case for higher growth in their areas, and the extent to which new eco- town proposals could contribute to increased housing supply, above that planned to 2016. It said that this should build on the work that has been undertaken to inform Regional Spatial Strategies to date, and the requirements of Planning Policy Statement 3 (PPS3) ‘Housing’ to maintain a rolling supply of housing, and the housing market assessments.

2.7 The Government asked for views on the scope for eco-town proposals from the relevant authorities, individually and collectively, taking particular account of housing market benefits, and stated that it is important for proposals for an eco-town to relate to housing market pressures in the wider area.

2.8 The Government stated that eco-towns are a major opportunity for local authorities, house builders, developers and registered social landlords to come together to build small new towns. Eco-towns should be well designed, attractive places to live, with good services and facilities, and which connect well with the larger towns or cities close by. Uniquely, they offer an opportunity to design a whole town – business and services as well as homes – to achieve zero-carbon development, and to use this experience to help guide other developments across the country.

2.9 The key criteria are as follows: • Eco-towns must be new settlements, separate and distinct from existing towns but well linked to them. They need to be additional to existing plans, with a minimum target of 5,000–10,000 homes; • The development as a whole should reach zero carbon standards, and each town should be an exemplar in at least one area of environmental sustainability; • Eco-town proposals should provide for a good range of facilities within the town – a secondary school, a medium scale retail centre, good quality business space and leisure facilities; (iv) Affordable housing should make up between 30 and 50 per cent of the total through a wide range and distribution of tenures in mixed communities, with a particular emphasis on larger family homes; • A management body which will help develop the town, provide support for people moving to the new community, for businesses and to co- ordinate delivery of services and manage facilities.

2.10 As a result of the Eco-towns prospectus, two bids were put forward promoting land at Ford Airfield and the surrounding area as a location for an Eco-town comprising 5,000 homes plus other facilities. The Government is currently

appraising the eco-town bids and is expected to announce whether Ford has been selected as a suitable location in Spring 2009. Ford is currently within Category B described as sites needing further work before a decision can be made.

2.11 The proposed Ford eco-town would comprise a major development of sub- regional significance, which falls outside the scope of the South East Plan as currently drafted. When the successful eco-towns are announced it is expected that there will be a partial review of the relevant Regional Spatial Strategies, including potentially the South East Plan, in order to include them along with the higher housing figures that may result.

2.12 The Government has recently published a draft PPS for Eco-towns. This states that, where an eco-town location is identified in the Eco-towns Programme, local planning authorities should include it as an option for consideration in preparation of their Core Strategy. It goes on to state that there is no requirement to allocate an eco-town if a better way of meeting future needs exists. Further details about the Eco-towns Programme are available on the Government Communities and Local Government website at http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingsupply/ecotowns/

2.13 Ford has been included as a potential option for growth within this document to reflect the above and to test this option against two other strategic development options.

Local Context

Arun Sustainable Community Strategy “Our Kind of Place”

2.14 Government Guidance states that LDFs should deliver the spatial aspects of Sustainable Community Strategies and other relevant documents, and that Local Planning Authorities should work with key stakeholders, such as the Environment Agency and the Police, to ensure effective integration with the spatial aspects of their strategies and programmes.

2.15 An updated Sustainable Community Strategy for Arun, “Our Kind of Place” was published in October 2008. It sets out a shared vision of how Arun would like to be approximately 20 years in the future, developed in consultation with many people and organisations. It tells people what is special about Arun, including its priority issues and challenges, and gives a clear direction to steer changes and developments for all partners.

2.16 The LDF will play a key role in delivering many of the key outcomes identified in the Community Strategy. The identification of key issues and priorities in this Core Strategy follow directly from the vision and priorities set out in the Community Strategy. This then leads to the Core Strategy’s spatial vision and strategic objectives which will underpin the LDF and local spatial planning policy over the next 15-20 years.

A Spatial Portrait of Arun

The Place

2.17 Arun District is located on the South Coast, one of seven districts within West Sussex. The District is located within the Sussex Coast Sub-Region of the wider South East Region. The District is bordered by Chichester District to the west, Horsham District to the north, and Worthing Borough and Adur District to the east. The District has strong transport, economic and housing market links with neighbouring West Sussex coastal districts and this is reflected in patterns of movement for work, shopping, entertainment and education.

2.18 The Sub-Region was designated in the South East Plan in recognition of the wider area of structural economic weakness along the Sussex coast. Compared with South East averages the sub-region has higher levels of multiple deprivation, lower levels of Gross Value Added, lower earnings, higher levels of unemployment, lower rates of business formation, a poorer qualified workforce and an ageing population

2.19 Arun District covers an area of 22,092 hectares (85 square miles) and has an estimated population of 146,4001. The north of the district is predominantly rural forming part of the Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which is currently being considered for National Park status. The south of the district falls within the West Sussex coastal plain. The River Arun divides the District approximately in half.

2.20 Nearly 80% of Arun’s population (over 110,000) live in coastal urban areas centred on the two main towns of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton. Both towns have merged with neighbouring settlements to form larger built-up areas, although the different settlements still retain distinguishable village identities. In the west of the District, the Bognor Regis urban area, including Pagham, Aldwick, Bersted, Felpham and Middleton-on-Sea, has a combined population of over 60,000. East of the River Arun, Littlehampton, Rustington, East Preston and Kingston form a second built-up area with a population in excess of 45,000. Although physically separated from Littlehampton, the village of Ferring still has close links with the town.

2.21 The coastal towns are the main service, employment, retail and social centres. Both Bognor Regis and Littlehampton are traditional seaside resorts and attract significant numbers of visitors. They have a concentration of manufacturing and warehousing premises that are important to the overall employment in the District. Bognor Regis is the District’s largest retail centre and also contains the Butlins Holiday Centre and a campus of the University of Chichester. Littlehampton is a smaller centre, containing the main District Council offices. However, large numbers of Arun residents travel to larger centres outside the District for employment, shopping and entertainment, particularly to Chichester and Worthing.

1 ONS Mid-Year Estimate 2007

2.22 The town of Arundel, dominated by its cathedral and castle, lies inland from the coast, at the foot of the Downs. Its historical development has resulted in a rich built environment set against the impressive backdrop of the River Arun, the Arun Valley and Arundel Park. It is an important visitor destination and many of the facilities, services and employment opportunities reflect this. The town is heavily constrained by historical and environmental designations.

2.23 In the west of the District are the ‘Five Villages’ of Westergate, Eastergate, Barnham, Walberton and Yapton. Westergate, Eastergate, and Barnham, are located close together and, although physically separate, share many facilities. Considered together the three villages provide a fairly good range of shops and local services, whilst Barnham benefits from a mainline railway station. Walberton and Yapton are more clearly physically separate, but have a more restricted range of facilities and services.

2.24 The largest inland settlements in the east of the District are Angmering and Findon. Angmering has experienced considerable new residential development in recent years, but retains a village character, although lying close to the coastal urban areas. Findon is a smaller village lying north of Worthing within the South Downs AONB.

2.25 Scattered throughout the District are many smaller villages and hamlets which have very limited services and facilities. Most of the coastal plain is good quality agricultural land and is intensively farmed, with areas of large scale horticultural development and glasshouses. The Ford area also contains a number of industrial estates and an open prison.

2.26 Arun has nine Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). These include Pagham Harbour which is an important habitat for birds, designated as an international site by directive 79/409/EEC. Climping Beach is also significant as it is the largest undeveloped area on the West Sussex coastline. The District has several other environmental local designations including 19 Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI). The River Arun runs from the Downs past Arundel and down to the sea at Littlehampton. Large areas of land adjoining the river are functional flood plain and therefore development in these areas is heavily constrained. There are also 32 Conservation Areas and 971 Listed buildings throughout the District.

2.27 Transport communications are dominated by east-west routes along the Sussex coast, linking Arun with Worthing and Brighton to the east, and Chichester and Portsmouth to the west. The main road links are the A27 trunk road and the A259, both of which suffer from severe congestion during peak times. The South Coast rail line also connects the main towns along the South coast, although both Bognor Regis and Littlehampton are served by branch lines. North-south road links are provided by the A29, A284 and A280 and are generally less good. The Arun Valley line provides a direct rail link to London, central Sussex and Gatwick Airport.

The People

2.28 Arun has one of the UK’s highest populations of elderly people, with 26% of residents being over the age of 65, compared to 16% nationally. Particularly high proportions of elderly people are found along the coast, in the Pagham/ Aldwick area west of Bognor Regis, and from Rustington to Ferring, where in some wards over 50% of residents are over 60 years old. By contrast, parts of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton have a significantly younger age profile, with above average proportions of families and young people. Both national and local forecasts indicate that the largest growth in the future will be in people aged 85 and over. This brings its own challenges regarding health and housing issues. Since 2004, the population has become more diverse, with people from other European Union countries now making up approximately 3- 5% of the population.

2.29 Arun falls within the wider Coastal West Sussex housing market which stretches from Hove in the east to beyond Chichester in the west. Average house prices in Arun’s coastal towns are generally relatively low compared to neighbouring areas, but prices are significantly higher in Arundel and some inland villages. The 2007 Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) indicates that parts of rural Arun fall within the 10% most deprived areas in England in terms of barriers to housing and services.

2.30 Arun has a high proportion of detached housing (35%) which is substantially above the national average (23%). Suburban low density detached housing is a particular feature of much of the coastal built-up areas, and some of the larger villages. The District’s proportion of flats and maisonettes is also slightly above average, with below average proportions of semi-detached and terraced housing. Flats and terraced housing make up a high proportion of housing in central Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, and also Arundel. The recent trend has been towards construction of smaller units, with nearly 80% of homes built over the past 5 years being 1 or 2 bed properties, including a high proportion of flats and retirement homes.

2.31 Around 80% of housing in Arun is owner occupied, which is much higher than both the national and West Sussex average. Around 9% is social rented, with a similar proportion privately rented. High concentrations of social rented housing occur in parts of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, particularly Pevensey and Ham wards where it accounts for around 25% of all housing. Private renting is concentrated in the town centres, where it rises to over 35% of total housing in Marine ward, Bognor Regis.

2.32 Across the District, there are wide differences in standards of living, with some of the most affluent, but also the most deprived people in the UK living here. More than 17% of Arun’s children live in low income households – over 4,000 children and numbers are rising rather than falling. Around 13% of people aged 60 or over live in low income households and this number is also rising. Parts of Ham ward, Littlehampton falls in the worst 10% in England in terms of income deprivation, with very high numbers of residents receiving income support and other types of state benefits. Other parts of Littlehampton and

Bognor Regis and Bersted fall within the worst 20%. A similar picture exists in terms of overall living environment, where parts of Ham and River wards in Littlehampton, Marine and Hotham wards in Bognor Regis fall within the worst 10% of areas in England.

2.33 Average life expectancy in Arun is close to the average for West Sussex, and above average for England. However, this disguises wide variations across the District, where average life expectancy by ward ranges from 83 years to just 70 years, which is the second lowest figure in England. Arun has high levels of benefit claimants who are sick and disabled, especially in deprived wards where concentrations are the highest in West Sussex. Part of River ward, Littlehampton falls within the worst 10% of areas in England in terms of health indicators, whilst other parts of Littlehampton and Bognor Regis fall within the worst 20%. In some of these areas, over 1 in 4 residents suffer from long term limiting illness.

2.34 Educational achievement in the District is relatively low, with the percentage of those with a degree or higher (21%) falling below the national average (25%). The worst problems are concentrated in Ham ward, Littlehampton and parts of Pevensey and Bersted wards in Bognor Regis, which fall within the 10% most deprived areas in England in terms of education, skills and training.

2.35 In general, Arun is a relatively safe place with low incidence of crime, although ‘fear’ of crime remains a significant issue which is highlighted in the Community Strategy. Crime rates are relatively high in parts of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, with part of River ward, Littlehampton ranked within the worst 10% areas in England, and a number of other areas within Littlehampton and Bognor Regis falling within the worst 20%.

2.36 In economic terms, Arun is relatively prosperous when compared to the national average, but performs below average for the South East region. The largest employment sectors within the District are Distribution, hotels and restaurants which provide around 30% of jobs, followed by Public administration, education and health with around 27%. Around 12% of jobs are in manufacturing which is above the South East average. Also significant is the commercial horticulture industry, which is a major employer in the Barnham and Angmering areas. Arun is dominated by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with less than 11 employees, which account for 86% of the District’s business establishments.

2.37 Lack of employment (‘worklessness’) is a particular problem in parts of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton. Part of River ward, Littlehampton falls within the worst 10% areas in England in terms of employment deprivation, and other parts of Littlehampton and Bognor Regis fall within the worst 20%.

2.38 Arun experiences high levels of out-commuting partly because employment opportunities are limited within the District. Over 37% of residents in employment commute elsewhere to work. Chichester acts as an important employment centre for the west of the District, and is also a significant draw for shopping and entertainment. Worthing fulfils a similar role for the east of

the District. Further afield, the larger centres of Brighton and Portsmouth exert an influence, and there is also some commuting northwards towards Horsham-Crawley-Gatwick and London. The outflow of many Arun residents has some detrimental effects on the local economy, reducing the amount of money spent in local shops and facilities. It is a factor in reducing the competitiveness of Arun’s coastal towns as retail and service centres.

2.39 Overall, Arun ranks as the second most deprived local authority within West Sussex, but is among the least 50% deprived nationally. Across the District, there are large variations, with many of the rural villages, and parts of the coastal urban areas ranking among the least deprived areas in England. However, most of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton suffer from above average levels of deprivation, including concentrated pockets which rank within the worst 10% of areas. In recognition of these problems, Outcome 22 of the Local Area Agreement has designated Local Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (LNIAs) covering 5 wards in Bognor Regis (Bersted, Hotham, Marine, Orchard and Pevensey) and 3 wards in Littlehampton (Ham, River and Wick with Toddington).

Planning Context and Regeneration

Future Development Requirements

2.40 The level of growth which needs to be planned for in Arun over the LDF period to 2026 results from both regional/sub-regional requirements and from identified local needs.

2.41 Arun’s district level housing requirement 2006-2026 as set out in the Secretary of State’s Proposed Changes to the South East Plan is 11,300 dwellings. In addition, there is small a shortfall of 200 dwellings from the previous plan period, giving a total requirement 11,500. This is the equivalent to an average housing requirement of 575 dwellings per year. Some of this requirement has already been met through housing built since the South East Plan start date of 2006, or will be met through planning permissions already granted. However, a high proportion will have to be met from development on new sites, both within existing built-up areas and through new greenfield allocations.

2.42 Planning for new development is not just about housing numbers, but about building communities. We need to ensure that the right mix of housing is provided, including affordable housing. Planned new housing will also need to be accompanied by other types of development. Land will be needed for new employment and other community facilities such as schools, health provision, leisure facilities and greenspace. New development will have to be supported by improved physical infrastructure, for example transport.

2.43 It is important that new housing, employment, social and community facilities and infrastructure address Arun’s local needs, and provide benefits for all residents and communities across the District.

2.44 A key purpose of the Core Strategy is to bring together national and regional policy guidance with local priorities set out in the Community Strategy and other local strategies, to provide a clear and coherent spatial vision and objectives for the District.

Strategy for the Sussex Coast Sub-Region

2.45 The draft South East Plan in Policy SCT1 sets out broad strategic aims for the Sussex Coast sub-region. It says that local authorities and other agencies should, as a priority, pro-actively pursue and promote the sustainable economic growth and regeneration of the Sussex Coast to: • Reduce disparities and help bring the performance of the sub-region economy up to the South East Plan average; • Respond to the different needs, opportunities and characteristics of each town, or group of towns and all sections of their communities; • Provide for sustainable urban extensions in Arun; • Build upon and help deliver major improvements to the strategic transport infrastructure and services both to reduce its peripherality and to improve accessibility within the sub-region; • Achieve a better balance between the provision of housing and the capability of both the local environment and economy to absorb this in a sustainable way whilst responding as far as possible to the needs of local people for decent homes at a price/cost that they can afford; • Protect and enhance the sub-region’s high environmental quality (in both town and country), enhance its cultural and historic assets and promote excellence in the design of new developments in recognition of their importance to economic success and quality of life.

2.46 In terms of enabling economic regeneration, Policy SCT2 steers expenditure and promotion of social and economic regeneration towards the areas in greatest need, including targeting pockets of social and economic deprivation. It also directs improvements to east-west transport links by road and rail.

2.47 The Plan aims to protect the high environmental quality of the area by optimising the use of previously developed land, making the most of existing infrastructure and services concentrated within the towns and promoting sustainable urban extensions which contain new employment and other supporting infrastructure.

2.48 The Plan looks to facilitate regeneration of the local economy through delivery of sufficient sites and premises, and states that local authorities should work in partnership to unlock and implement allocated business parks, including north of Bognor Regis.

2.49 The key South East Plan policies most relevant to the Arun LDF are set out in more detail in Appendix 1.

Development in Neighbouring Districts

2.50 Arun is bordered by the neighbouring districts of Chichester, Worthing, Horsham and Adur. Development plans and strategies in these districts need to be considered in order to assess potential impacts on Arun.

2.51 The part of Chichester District that falls within the Sussex Coast sub-region, adjoining Arun, has a total housing target within the draft South East Plan to 2026 of 7,100 homes. Chichester District Council is currently working on a Core Strategy and has not yet finalised preferred development locations. However, it will be necessary to assess the combined impacts of development in the District in the sub region and any planned development in the west of Arun District on local transport networks, in particular the A27 at Chichester.

2.52 Worthing and Adur districts lie on the Sussex coast to the east of Arun. Worthing Borough has a housing target of 4,000 homes. The main focus of the Borough’s Core Strategy is regeneration focusing most development in the town centre and at key locations elsewhere within the built-up area.

2.53 Adur District’s housing target is 2,100 homes, but the District also includes a large part of Shoreham Harbour which is identified in the South East Plan as a Strategic Development Area (SDA) with potential for 10,000 homes and employment provision. This development, which is supported by SEEDA, is currently subject to a range of feasibility studies to assess the potential for development and the wider impacts of any scheme. If development were to proceed, it is likely that it would have an impact on the economy and housing market of the wider Sussex Coast sub-region, but the extent of this will not be known until the studies are completed.

2.54 Horsham District largely falls outside the Sussex Coast sub-region. Arun's boundary with Horsham runs through the Sussex Downs AONB, which is an area that has been designated with the main aim of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the landscape. Development proposals are therefore strictly managed. Horsham has an adopted Core Strategy for the period to 2018 which focuses most new development in the north of the District some distance away from Arun District, and is therefore unlikely to have any significant impact on Arun.

Coastal Towns Regeneration

2.55 Arun Council is strongly committed to positive strategies to regenerate the District’s two main towns of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton.

Bognor Regis

2.56 Bognor Regis is now a major focus for current and planned regeneration investment, with around £500 million private sector funding currently earmarked for several key projects. These developments will provide major

new housing and employment, and will significantly enhance the town’s entertainment, leisure and retail facilities. They are seen as a first step in a planned regeneration strategy, acting as a catalyst for further investment to enable Bognor Regis to compete better with neighbouring centres such as Chichester and Worthing.

2.57 A key element of the regeneration strategy is the Bognor Regis Masterplan, which was adopted by the Council as informal Supplementary Planning Guidance in 2004. The Masterplan sets out a long term vision and spatial framework to bring forward key development opportunities in and around the town centre, providing a mix of uses including entertainment facilities, retail, employment and housing. The Council is currently working with a preferred development partner to bring forward proposals for two town centre sites (Regis Centre and Hothampton Car Park). In addition, a range of other proposals are also coming forward, including development at the Chichester University Bognor Regis Campus and Butlins Holiday Centre sites, the expansion of Bognor Regis Community College, and redevelopment of the former LEC site. Work is also underway on a Seafront Strategy and Transport Strategy for the town.

2.58 Also expected to commence shortly is the major development on the northern edge of the Bognor Regis urban area (known as Policy SITE 6) to be developed for large scale housing and employment uses, linked to the provision of a package of transport improvements, including the Bognor Regis Relief Road.

Littlehampton

2.59 The regeneration strategy for Littlehampton is guided to a large extent by the Littlehampton Vision, which proposes a framework for how the town should develop over the next 15 years, based around a number of key priorities. The document was prepared by the Littlehampton Town Centre Action Group of which the Council is a partner, and was endorsed by the Council in 2006. The Vision identifies opportunities to develop, enhance and better integrate the town centre, Littlehampton Harbour and the Seafront, and to enhance the town’s offer in terms of retail, employment, leisure and entertainment.

2.60 Work is now underway to prepare a development brief for the St Martins Car Park site in the town centre, to prepare a strategy for Littlehampton Harbour, a Seafront Strategy and a planning framework for North Littlehampton.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

2.61 To identify the key issues, challenges and opportunities facing Arun over the next few years, an analysis has been undertaken of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) (see Appendix 2). The SWOT analysis takes as its starting point the 11 themed Priorities for Action listed in the Sustainable Community Strategy. For each Priority, the Sustainable Community Strategy sets out a broad vision of where Arun wants to be in 20

years’ time. The SWOT analysis has been used to help assess where Arun stands at the moment and how future trends may affect our ability to meet our aspirations. This analysis helped identify key spatial implications which the LDF and Core Strategy need to consider and plan for. These are set out in the table below.

Sustainable Community Strategy Priorities and Spatial Implications

SCS Priorities & Vision Spatial Implications for the LDF

A Healthy and Caring Community • Need to address issues of health deprivation in central Bognor and west Littlehampton “When we ask people what is important to them, • Need to take account of accessibility and being healthy is in the top three things mentioned. A capacity of health services in locating new healthy community is one which enjoys good health housing development and wellbeing, with the right care available when and where needed and a healthy environment in • Need to ensure new housing development schools, workplaces and outdoors. A caring makes provision for green infrastructure, sport community is one which is aware of, and helps, and leisure facilities, local food production, and people in need of care and support.” is designed to encourage walking and cycling

A Well-Educated Community • Need to address very poor levels of educational attainment in most deprived areas – north “A well-educated community aims to provide a high Bognor/Bersted and west Littlehampton quality, rounded education that enables people to achieve their potential, both academically and as a • Expansion of education presents major citizen, and pupil-focused support to those who opportunities for regeneration in Bognor Regis need it. It also promotes a culture of lifelong learning and Littlehampton for all ages and abilities.” • Need to take account of accessibility and capacity of education provision in locating major new housing development

A Fair and Equitable Community • Need for focused investment programmes to address problems in areas of high deprivation – “Arun is a district of contrasts. Our vision is that north/central Bognor Regis and west/central everyone is able to make choices and access the Littlehampton same services, information and opportunities and that everybody’s voice is heard.” • Need to address issues of social isolation and access to services in some rural parts of Arun

A Well-Informed and Involved Community • Need to enhance and improve accessibility to community facilities “To be able to get information quickly and easily. To have local agencies with the ability to explain what • Need to ensure major new housing they are doing and gather views from the developments provide for new community community. A place with a thriving voluntary and facilities and/or link to existing ones community sector, with sustainable funding to support their work and an active culture of volunteering. Having people who are active in their community and involved in local decision-making that will affect them.”

A Safe and Protected Community • Need to ensure all new developments are well designed for safety and design out crime “When we ask people the single most important thing about where they live and work, the answer is • Need to improve road user and pedestrian a place where people feel safe. Our vision is to safety and provide safe and attractive walking

SCS Priorities & Vision Spatial Implications for the LDF make Arun a safer place by reducing crime and anti- and cycle routes social behaviour. Everyone wants to live in a well- protected place, where inspections and enforcement of standards keep us safe from risks such as dangerous workplaces and poorly cooked food.”

A Clean and Green Community • Flood risk issues in central Littlehampton, Arundel, parts of Bognor Regis and other “Whenever we ask people what is important to them potential development areas about making Arun a better place to live, the desire for a cleaner and better living environment is always • Need to avoid development in high flood risk near the top of the list. To have ongoing areas and ensure new development addresses improvements providing an attractive environment flood prevention, mitigation and protection for residents and visitors to live, work and enjoy. A • Impact of designation of South Downs National greener Arun, through planning for climate change Park in terms of visitor pressure, particularly at and conserving and enhancing natural resources Arundel and the environment.” • Need to ensure new development does not compromise individual character of settlements and quality of built and historic environment • Need to integrate and enhance historic built environment in urban regeneration initiatives • Need to avoid major development in most sensitive areas in terms of landscape and biodiversity (e.g close to Pagham Harbour) • Waste recycling facility at Ford MRF currently under construction • Potential to provide renewable energy at key locations (e.g coast, River Arun) • Need to upgrade road infrastructure in key locations (e.g A27 Arundel improvements) • Need transport plans for central Bognor Regis and Littlehampton • Potential improvements to services/ infrastructure along main public transport corridors – Coastal Expressway and Coastway West rail line

A Properly Housed Community • Need to allocate sites and/or bring forward opportunities to increase District housing “A place where everyone has a home which meets delivery their needs and is of a decent standard, wth community facilities available locally.” • Need to substantially increase levels of affordable housing provision, particularly in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton • Need to provide more affordable housing to address local housing needs in Arundel and inland villages • Need to ensure housing mix addresses local requirements and needs – e.g provision of more 2,3 and 4 bed ‘family housing’ • Need ensure new development provides for community facilities, e.g for children and young people • Need to identify/ bring forward opportunities for specialist housing accommodation – supported

SCS Priorities & Vision Spatial Implications for the LDF

housing • Need to address Gypsy, traveller and travelling showpeople accommodation needs

A Fun and Welcoming Community • Potential to use regeneration sites/ opportunities in central Bognor Regis and Littlehampton to “A place that is welcoming and has lots of different improve leisure, entertainment and cultural things to do for residents and visitors of all ages, facilities and enhance night-time economy while making the most of the natural resources of the coast and South Downs.” • Opportunities to improve range and quality of visitor facilities, improve environment and transport/access on Bognor Regis and Littlehampton seafronts • Opportunity to exploit major potential of Littlehampton Harbour for water-based leisure activities • Need to plan for additional visitor demand/ pressure likely to result from South Downs National Park • Need to control tourist/ visitor pressure – focus on accessible locations and promote ‘sustainable’ tourism • Need to plan for more and higher quality visitor accommodation • Need to ensure new housing development makes provision for open space, sport and leisure facilities

Skills for Work • Opportunity to capitalise on expansion of education sectors in Bognor Regis and “A place where people have the work skills and Littlehampton to increase education standards, knowledge needed by local employers at all levels, skills training and links to local businesses with relevant, accessible and affordable training available and well-promoted. An economy where • Need to direct education and vocational skills there is well-paid and secure work at all levels training programmes towards most deprived including for graduates, with wages at least areas – north Bognor and west Littlehampton matching county averages.”

Business Growth • Potential for new housing development to help deliver new employment land/ floorspace and “Making Arun a competitive place to do business, improve transport infrastructure with a growing business sector.” • Need for proactive policies to identify good quality accessible employment sites and bring forward better range of higher quality business floorspace • Need for strong policies to protect and upgrade existing employment sites – e.g Business Improvement Districts • Need to identify and support local employment sectors with growth potential, through key sector analysis • Need to investigate potential to expand office markets in central Bognor Regis and Littlehampton • Need to support rural economy and provide

SCS Priorities & Vision Spatial Implications for the LDF

wider range of local job opportunities in villages • Opportunities to improve range and quality of visitor facilities, esp in key visitor destinations - Bognor Regis, Littlehampton and Arundel • Need to increase linkages in visitor economy and reduce seasonality – e.g by upgrading facilities and targeting niche markets

A Thriving Community • Opportunity for proactive planning policies and strategies which support town centre “Town centres, villages and neighbourhoods that regeneration and identify/allocate key sites/ have vitality, are thriving, with a sense of civic pride, opportunities in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton and that encourage increased retail and visitor – e.g Town Centre Area Action Plans and spend in the area. In Bognor Regis and Development Briefs for key sites Littlehampton where there are major regeneration plans, maintaining a “big picture” vision to ensure • Potential to link development of visitor economy co-ordinated development which will lead to greater to expansion of town centre facilities in Bognor prosperity, better physical infrastructure and Regis, Littlehampton and Arundel enhanced social wellbeing for all residents.” • Potential for new housing development in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton urban areas links to and benefits regeneration and revitalisation of town centres • Need to locate major new housing development where it will encourage spending in Arun’s centres, particularly Bognor Regis and Littlehampton • Potential for major housing development to improve transport links and accessibility to town centres • Need for policies to protect and enhance shops and other facilities in Arun’s district, neighbourhood and village centres • Need to ensure new housing developments make provision for local shops and community facilities •

Identifying Issues, Challenges and Opportunities

2.62 The SWOT analysis reveals a number of major issues, challenges and opportunities which are key concerns which this Core Strategy needs to address.

Addressing climate change

2.63 As a coastal district, Arun is likely to experience some of the most severe impacts due to climate change. These potentially include: hotter and drier summers; milder and wetter winters; droughts and water shortages; increased storminess and wind speeds; and rising sea levels. A recent Strategic Flood Risk Assessment shows that large parts of Arun are already susceptible to flood risk from the sea, rivers, watercourses, groundwater, and other sources,

and this will increase with climate change. Care must be taken to ensure that development is not inappropriately located in terms of flood risk, and does not exacerbate flood problems.

2.64 The potential impacts of climate change need to be taken into account in planning for all new development, both in terms of location and design. This will include locating major development away from areas of high flood risk Increased targets for energy and water efficiency will have to be taken on board along with water storage measures, sustainable drainage systems, the provision of renewable energy generation in major schemes.

Planning for balanced and integrated communities

2.65 Arun’s population currently includes a high percentage of elderly people, with a below average proportion of residents of working age. Many younger people choose to move away from Arun due to lack of job opportunities, high house prices, and the attraction of other towns and cities. However, there are significant contrasts across the District with some areas, particularly in the coastal towns, having above average numbers of children and young people. Arun’s population is also changing, particularly through the recent influx of foreign migrant workers.

2.66 Both national and local forecasts predict a further rise in the proportion of older people over the next 20 years. We need to plan for the consequences of an ageing population, for example by providing supported and extra care housing, and ensuring better access to healthcare and community facilities. At the same time, there is the opportunity to plan for more balanced and integrated communities. To do this, we need to provide the right mix of housing and facilities to cater for people at different stages in their life cycle, and with different incomes and needs. This will require providing more affordable housing, more family housing, facilities for children and young people, and a wider range of employment opportunities for people of working age. We must also ensure that the housing and other needs of all groups in the community are met appropriately.

Planning housing development to maximise community benefits

2.67 Over the next 15-20 years, Arun will have to accommodate significant new housing to meet regional targets, as well as provide for its own local needs. This new development will generate greater demands on Arun’s infrastructure, services and facilities, and will impact on the environment and natural resources.

2.68 It is important that new housing developments are well designed to provide attractive living environments, which are safe, environmentally friendly and encourage healthy lifestyles. It is also important to ensure that new housing provided is easily accessible to employment, shops, schools, health centres, green space, and other community facilities. If well located and planned, housing development can provide wider community benefits, both by

supporting existing services and facilities, and by helping to fund new or expanded facilities or improving access to them.

Creating a more diverse and flexible economic base

2.69 Arun suffers from a relatively limited economic base. There is an over- dependence on low paid sectors, such as agriculture, tourism and service industries, sectors which also have a high proportion of seasonal and part- time work. The District has high levels of economic inactivity and below average earnings and skill levels. These problems have wider implications, leading to high levels of out-commuting and difficulty retaining young educated residents.

2.70 Addressing these issues will require a range of linked measures, including provision of well located employment sites and good quality modern premises; providing better business support for start-up companies and small businesses, skills and training programmes linked to local business needs, and targeting specific key growth sectors.

Revitalising town centres

2.71 Arun’s main town centres of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton currently lack a wide range of shopping, entertainment, employment and other facilities, and therefore struggle to compete with neighbouring centres outside the District. However, both town centres offer major opportunities, which are starting to be unlocked through the regeneration programmes now underway. This will involve bringing forward key development sites and promoting a mix of activities - shopping, entertainment, employment, education and housing – which will bring new vitality to the town centres. Measures are also needed to improve the physical environment and to address issues such as traffic congestion and parking. Revitalising the town centres and making them more attractive destinations for both Arun residents and visitors will provide major benefits for the local economy and can provide a catalyst for wider regeneration across the coastal towns.

Improving education, skills and training

2.72 Education, skills and training are currently one of Arun’s weaknesses, with educational attainment generally below the national average, and some parts of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton falling within the worst 10% of areas nationally. Poor education and training skills reduces life opportunities for individuals, but also has a wider impact on Arun’s economy. However, the planned expansion of the University of Chichester in Bognor Regis, the Littlehampton Academy, and redevelopment of Bognor Regis Community College is now providing a major opportunity to use education as a catalyst for regeneration and economic growth, particularly in the coastal towns.

Providing better opportunities for deprived areas

2.73 Parts of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton contain significant areas of deprivation, characterised by problems such as low average incomes, above average worklessness, poor education and skill levels, high crime rates, and significant numbers of residents suffering poor health. A coordinated and focused programme of initiatives is needed to address these problems. Under Outcome 22 of the Local Area Agreement, Local Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (LNIAs) have been established covering 5 wards in Bognor Regis and 3 wards in Littlehampton, with an aim to deliver a range of targeted projects aimed at improving the quality of life and increasing opportunities in these areas. From a planning perspective, there are opportunities to link new development and town centre regeneration to initiatives which widen local employment opportunities and improve residents’ accessibility to local services and facilities, such as employment, training and healthcare.

Improving accessibility and facilities in rural areas

2.74 Whilst the majority of Arun’s residents live in the coastal urban areas, over 20% of the District’s population live in the inland villages and rural areas. These parts of the District have specific issues around access to services. Many of the villages lack basic facilities, such as shops, post offices, schools, and health centres, and are served by limited and infrequent public transport. In addition, they provide a limited range of employment and housing, with little or no affordable housing. Parts of Arundel, Walberton and Yapton wards fall within the worst 10% of areas nationally in terms of barriers to housing and services.

2.75 Opportunities for development in the rural areas are restricted by environmental constraints and a desire to retain the character of Arun’s small settlements and countryside. However, there is potential for targeted improvements, such as provision of more rural affordable housing and initiatives to support and diversify rural industries. Focusing new development on the larger and better connected villages can help to support facilities serving a wider local area. Support also needs to be given to schemes to improve accessibility and deliver services in the remoter rural areas, for example through ‘rural hubs’.

Reducing the need to travel and promoting sustainable transport

2.76 Many of Arun’s roads are already congested and the pressure on the local road network is likely to increase due to further population growth and new development. At the same time, increasing car use has negative impacts on the environment, health, safety and contributes to climate change. Some improvements to the local road network are likely to be required to support new development and economic regeneration in Arun District, but road improvements alone cannot provide a sustainable or long term solution.

2.77 Planning policies can do much to minimise additional car traffic, both by reducing people’s need to travel and by promoting alternatives to car use such

as public transport, walking and cycling. This needs to be a key consideration in planning both the location and design of new housing, employment, services, and community facilities.

Providing a high quality and sustainable visitor economy

2.78 Arun is a well established tourist destination and its visitor economy is a major asset to the District. However, much of Arun’s visitor market is seasonal and the amount of money spent by visitors to the District is relatively low. Arun needs to respond to changing visitor demands and look to increase visitor spending. There is a recognised need to diversify Arun’s tourism product by providing more and better quality facilities, targeting specific niche markets, providing better marketing, and increasing the proportion of staying visitors.

2.79 As well as bringing benefits, increasing numbers of visitors could create adverse impacts, leading to problems such as traffic congestion, environmental damage and social tensions. Developing the visitor economy needs to be carefully planned, with an emphasis on sustainable tourism, directing investment and development towards areas where tourist activity is greatest, while ensuring that the community and social needs of residents are met; facilitating visitor management in the countryside; and ensuring that visitor attractions and accommodation are appropriate to, and do not detract from, the coast and countryside.

Preserving and enhancing Arun’s character and environment

2.80 Arun’s natural environment and landscape, together with the character of its built and historic environment are among the District’s greatest assets. They contribute greatly to the quality of life and wellbeing of Arun’s residents and are a significant draw for visitors, thus benefiting Arun’s economy as well.

2.81 Arun will need to accommodate substantial new development over the next 15-20 years. New development needs to be planned to minimise impacts on the countryside and environment and, where possible, make best use of available brownfield land and buildings. At the same time it is important to preserve the individual character and identity of Arun’s towns and villages, avoiding over-development or the coalescence of settlements.

PART C – VISION AND OBJECTIVES

Our Vision

3.1 Based on the analysis set out in Part A, the proposed Core Strategy vision below sets out the kind of place we believe Arun should aim to become by 2026. The Vision reflects the desire to build on the existing strengths of Arun and maximise potential opportunities, but also the need to address identified weaknesses and threats. It strongly reflects the aspirations of Arun’s residents set out in the Sustainable Community Strategy, together with the specific visions for Arun’s two main coastal towns outlined in the Bognor Regis Masterplan and Littlehampton Vision.

3.2 Arun is a diverse District encompassing a wide range of settlements and communities. The future vision, aspirations and needs of places will therefore differ. It is important that the LDF vision for Arun has a strong spatial element, setting out future aspirations and roles for the towns and villages within the context of a broad overarching vision for the District.

3.3 The way in which Arun’s settlements develop and change will also be affected by the spatial strategy and options for the District being developed through the LDF work - of which this document forms a key stage.

3.4 The proposed Vision does not seek to list every aspiration and objective for the future, but concentrates on the strategic planning aims that could be accomplished within the next two decades. It will involve close and integrated working by the Council with other key stakeholders and all the local communities in Arun.

3.5 The vision and key opportunities are summarised on Map 1.

Core Strategy Vision

1. By 2026, the District will be a safer, more inclusive, vibrant and attractive place to live, work and visit. Arun’s residents will be healthier and better educated, with reduced inequalities between the most and least affluent.

2. The coastal towns of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton and their surrounding areas will have achieved greater prosperity through economic regeneration and urban renewal, providing a wider range of jobs and services. This will enable them to compete better with neighbouring centres outside the District, and enhance their role as service centres and key destinations for Arun residents, reducing the leakage of wealth and spending to other areas. The social well-being of individuals and communities will have improved, particularly within the most deprived areas.

3. New homes and jobs will have been provided through well designed and sustainable development, delivered in conjunction with new or improved infrastructure, services and community facilities, and the potential impacts of climate change will have been fully taken into account.

4. New development will have been successfully integrated within the District, creating attractive places to live, whilst protecting and enhancing the character of Arun’s environment. By providing new and affordable homes, a wider range of local jobs, improved transport and community facilities, new development will have helped to improve the quality of life for Arun’s residents and assisted economic and social regeneration, particularly in the coastal towns.

5. The range and quality of education opportunities in the District will have increased, including planned expansion of the University of Chichester Campus at Bognor Regis, redevelopment of Bognor Regis Community College and the new Littlehampton Academy. Opportunities for knowledge-based economic regeneration will have been developed, through graduate programmes, work placements, and other opportunities.

6. Arun will play host to a successful and vibrant business economy, providing a wider range of better quality jobs, supported by a better trained and more skilled local workforce. The District will support a better quality, less seasonal visitor economy and Arun will be viewed as a first class visitor destination.

7. The provision of better job opportunities and more affordable homes will have helped to create a more balanced and diverse local population, encouraging more young people to stay or move here, whilst still providing for the needs of older people. The housing needs of all sections of the community will have been catered for, through the provision of a better mix of sizes, types and tenure, including more family housing, homes ‘designed for life’, supported and ‘extra-care’ housing.

8. Those who live and work here will have better access to shops, jobs, services, health, education, community and leisure facilities, thereby reducing the need to travel and reliance on the private car.

9. The special qualities of the District’s built and natural environment which make up Arun’s towns, villages, coast and countryside (including the proposed South Downs National Park) will have been protected and enhanced.

The Coastal Towns

Bognor Regis

10. “The vision for Bognor Regis is to provide a new role for the town in the 21st Century. This new role will build upon its assets and create a series of new attractions for residents and visitors alike. At the heart of the vision will be a new vital and viable town centre with a richness of urban form and a quality of architecture that will reposition Bognor Regis as a first class coastal destination.” (Bognor Regis Masterplan)

11. This will include: • A revitalised town centre fulfilling its potential as a sub-regional centre for shopping and entertainment; • Expanded role as a major education centre, including expanded University facilities; • A revitalised seafront with enhanced visitor and leisure facilities; • Major transport improvements, improving accessibility and connectivity; • New housing and employment development, including major new communities already planned at Bersted and Felpham; • Improved community infrastructure and facilities, including education and health; • Enhanced opportunities and access to services, particularly in the most deprived parts of the town.

Littlehampton

12. “Building on its distinctive character, Littlehampton will be a successful, competitive and connected town. The town will be an attractive, vibrant and safe place to live, work and visit with an excellent range of facilities for all ages and groups.” (Littlehampton Vision).

13. This will include: • An attractive and more competitive town centre with a wider range of shops and entertainment; • Enhanced visitor and leisure facilities along the seafront; • The development of Littlehampton Harbour as a major feature of the town, through the creation of an attractive waterfront and successful leisure-based harbour; • Improved accessibility and better connectivity around the town; • New housing (including affordable) and employment opportunities; • Improved community infrastructure and facilities, including education and health; • Enhanced opportunities and access to services, particularly in the most deprived parts of the town.

Inland Arun

Arundel

14. Arundel will retain its unique special character as a small historic market town. It will continue to act as a significant visitor destination, and will have become a natural gateway to the South Downs National Park, offering improved facilities and wider access to the river from the town centre.

The Villages

15. Barnham (together with its neighbouring villages of Eastergate and Westergate) and Angmering will develop their role as well-connected large villages serving inland Arun, providing an enhanced range of shops, employment, community facilities and local services, supported by improved transport links. They will form the main focus for new housing and employment to be provided in the inland area.

16. The villages of Findon, Fontwell, Walberton and Yapton will continue to act as small local centres, providing a limited range of services and facilities.

17. The District’s smaller settlements and rural areas will retain their character with limited new development.

Map 1

Proposed Strategic Objectives

3.6 The following seven strategic objectives set out broad aims for the Core Strategy and the LDF as a whole to deliver the spatial vision for Arun set out above. The matrix immediately following the objectives shows how each of these planning objectives aligns with the priorities set out in the Arun Sustainable Community Strategy.

Strategic Objective 1: To plan for climate change and work in harmony with the environment to conserve natural resources and increase biodiversity.

To be addressed by: • Requiring that all new development is designed and built so as to make efficient use of land and resources. • Taking account of the potential implications of climate change, such as increased flood risk, when planning new development. • Ensuring that new development incorporates sustainable construction materials, standards and techniques. • Encouraging the use of renewable energy in both new development and existing buildings. • Improving energy and water efficiency in new and existing buildings. • Minimising waste and promoting recycling. • Reducing pollution. • Protecting and enhancing the District’s biodiversity, in particular areas of nature conservation importance and protected species.

Strategic Objective 2 To plan and deliver a range of housing types in locations with good access to employment, services and facilities to meet the District’s housing requirements and the needs of Arun’s residents and communities, ensuring that issues of affordability and the provision of appropriate levels of affordable housing are addressed.

To be addressed by: • Ensuring that sufficient new housing is provided of the right type, size and tenure to meet identified needs. • Planning new housing to help create balanced and integrated communities. • Maximising opportunities to increase the supply of affordable homes to meet identified needs as far as possible. • Seeking to meet the specific housing and accommodation needs of all Arun’s residents and communities. • Planning for safe and adaptable living environments.

• Ensuring that new housing is provided in locations which provide good access to employment, services and facilities and, where appropriate, makes provision for new or enhanced infrastructure, employment, and facilities.

Strategic Objective 3: To strengthen Arun’s economic base and provide local job opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships.

To be addressed by: • Taking positive action to support and promote a flexible economy to meet changing requirements and future demands. • Ensuring the provision of a good range of sites and premises that meet the needs of employers, particularly local businesses starting up or wanting to expand. • Supporting the development and growth of businesses in Arun, fostering local business networks, and linking education, skills and training to local employment needs. • Promoting and facilitating economic regeneration, particularly in the coastal towns of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton through positive planning to implement co-ordinated town strategies. • Seeking to support and diversify the rural economy. • Upgrading and diversifying Arun’s visitor economy to achieve a higher quality and better integrated offer which responds to the District’s assets and character.

Strategic Objective 4: To protect and enhance Arun’s outstanding landscape, coastline and historic built environment so reinforcing local character and identity.

To be addressed by: • Protecting and enhancing the character of Arun’s built and historic environment. • Seeking well-designed built development and public open spaces. • Protecting and enhancing the distinctive character of the district, including the Sussex Downs AONB/proposed South Downs National Park, the coastline, and other areas of landscape value.

Strategic Objective 5: To reduce the need to travel and promote sustainable forms of transport

To be addressed by: • Ensuring new development is located and planned so as to minimise the need to travel, particularly by private car by diverting development as far as possible to the most accessible locations. • Promoting improvements to and encouraging greater use of public transport, walking and cycling, particularly in urban areas and town centres. • Planning for and supporting measures to reduce the impact of traffic on communities and the environment, through appropriate parking policies, traffic management, and safety and speed reduction measures. • Supporting and promoting action to relieve congestion on the District’s road network, particularly the A27 and A259.

Strategic Objective 6: To create vibrant, attractive, safe and accessible town and village centres that build upon their unique characters to provide a wide range of uses and which are a focus for quality shopping, entertainment, leisure and cultural activities.

To be addressed by: • Positive planning to revitalise Bognor Regis and Littlehampton town centres and enable them to become more vibrant and competitive destinations for Arun residents and visitors, providing a wider range of shopping, entertainment and leisure and more diverse night-time economy. • Supporting and promoting improvements to make all town and village centres safer, more attractive and thriving places to shop, visit and spend leisure time.

Strategic Objective 7: To promote strong, well integrated and cohesive communities, through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, provision of good quality accessible community facilities and a safe environment, which delivers an enhanced quality of life to all.

To be addressed by: • Working with other agencies to provide good access to, and better delivery of, health, education and training, employment and other social and community facilities in Arun, particularly in areas with high levels of deprivation. • Improving the provision of good quality education and training, and promote life long learning, through partnerships with higher/further education and vocational training providers. • Ensuring that all new development makes timely provision for necessary physical, social and community infrastructure. • Providing living environments which encourage healthy lifestyles, including planning for and ensuring access to good quality food, sport, recreation and outdoor activities.

• Seeking to improve the range, quality and accessibility of cultural, leisure and recreation facilities. • Seeking to improve access to services and facilities in rural areas. • Ensuring local people are consulted and have an input to the preparation of plans and the design of new developments.

LDF Strategic Objectives – Contribution to Achieving Sustainable Community Strategy Priorities

Sustainable Community Strategy Priorities About People About Living About Working

LDF Strategic Objectives A Healthy and Caring Community A Well- Educated Community A Fair and Equitable Community A Well-Informed and Involved Community A Safe and Protected Community A Clean and Green Community A Properly Housed Community A Fun and Welcoming Community Skills for Work Business Growth Thriving Communities

SO1: Planning for climate change, environment and natural resources 9 9 9 9 SO2: Delivering housing to meet 9 9 9 9 9 9 community needs SO3: Strengthening Arun’s economic 9 9 9 9 9 base and providing local job opportunities SO4: Protecting and enhancing 9 9 9 9 Arun’s landscape, coastline and historic built environment SO5: Reducing the need to travel 9 9 9 9 9 9 and promoting sustainable forms of transport SO6: Creating vibrant, attractive, 9 9 9 9 9 safe and accessible town and village centres SO7: Promoting strong, well 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 integrated and cohesive communities

9 indicates where each LDF Strategic Objective will help to deliver the identified Sustainable Community Strategy priority.

PART D – SPATIAL OPTIONS FOR GROWTH

Meeting Future Development Requirements

4.1 The issue of where and how much development is provided for in Arun District is a key issue to be determined in the LDF. The spatial strategy proposed in the adopted Core Strategy will set out the broad approach to the location of new development and facilities in the District to 2026. It needs to accord with the Strategic Objectives and deliver the Vision for Arun outlined in Part C of this consultation document.

4.2 In developing and assessing spatial options for public consultation, it is clear from the earlier sections of this report that the Council does not start with a blank sheet, but has to have regard to: • National Policy Guidance and Planning Policy Statements • The draft South East Plan • The Arun Sustainable Community Strategy and Arun’s Priorities

4.3 In addition the Council has to have regard to the Local Area Agreement (LAA) with West Sussex County Council, as well as the plans and strategies of key service providers and statutory agencies, including the Environment Agency, Highways Agency, and Natural England.

4.4 The overall level of development which the Core Strategy needs to plan for is determined by both regional and sub-regional requirements and by identified local needs. There is a specific statutory requirement to meet the District housing provision target set out in the South East Plan, which in Arun’s case amounts to 11,300 homes over the period 2006-2026. The need to find sufficient land to meet this requirement, whilst at the same time building sustainable mixed communities, has been a major factor in determining which spatial options are being explored.

4.5 However, to build sustainable communities, it is necessary to consider the wider range of facilities and services needed to meet the needs of Arun’s residents and to regenerate and diversify its economy. The list of requirements includes employment, transport, education and health facilities, open space and recreation, shops, leisure and entertainment facilities. Such facilities need to be viable and accessible to local people. At the same time, to build successful mixed communities it is necessary to ensure a range of housing which meets local needs, including affordable housing.

4.6 The Council has undertaken detailed work to identify Arun’s future needs and assess how best to meet them. This has included gathering from a range of evidence drawn a number of detailed background studies which the Council has undertaken or commissioned, supplemented by discussions with key infrastructure and service providers, and public consultation. Further details are provided in background evidence accompanying this Options for Growth document. However, a number of key requirements can be highlighted.

4.7 Local housing requirements – In addition to meeting overall housing numbers, it is necessary to provide the right mix of housing to meet local needs and create balanced communities. Arun currently experiences very high levels of housing need, due to the wide differential between house prices and average local incomes. Recent estimates from the West Sussex Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) estimate an annual housing need requirement of between 397 and 574 dwellings per year. The need is overwhelmingly concentrated in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton which account for around two-thirds of households on the District Housing Waiting List. In addition, there is a need to provide the right mix of housing to address local requirements, with more family dwellings, and housing to meet the needs of specific groups

4.8 Employment requirements – Economic development is a key issue for Arun, in particular there is an identified need to broaden the economic base and provide a wider range of better quality local employment opportunities. The Core Strategy needs to ensure there is sufficient range of good quality land and business floorspace to address employment needs in Arun, and to balance employment and housing provision. An Employment Land Assessment undertaken for the Council in 2005 indicated an outstanding requirement for approximately 235,000 sq.m business floorspace to meet identified needs in the District. However, this is intended to be a flexible figure. Such allocations need to provide for a range of accommodation types, including starter units, move on units, and flexible office space.

4.9 Social and community facilities – A range of new or improved community facilities is required to meet both existing needs, and those expected to be generated by planned new housing. This will include schools, health facilities, and community centres. Specific requirements have been identified through discussion with the service providers. More detailed further work has now been commissioned to assess the unique infrastructure requirements associated with the three development options being considered. In addition, this work will consider the level of funding needed and the potential sources, both public funding and through development contributions.

4.10 Town centres and retail – Considerable investment is already focused on the town centres of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, as part of wider programmes for regeneration. The aim is to take advantage of key development opportunities to provide a wider range of retail, entertainment and other facilities, together with action to improve the physical environment and improve transport and accessibility. A retail assessment undertaken for the Council in 2005 recommends focusing new retail development towards the two town centres, with more limited provision in the District’s smaller centres, whilst looking to restrict further out-of-centre development.

4.11 Transport – There are acknowledged deficits in Arun’s existing transport infrastructure and new development will add to these pressures. However, the funding available for improvements is likely to be restricted, and there needs to be strong emphasis on reducing the need to travel and better management of travel demands. The West Sussex Local Transport Plan (LTP) provides an overarching strategy for the management, maintenance, development and

monitoring of the Arun’s transport system, and provides a basis for bids to Central Government for the resources needed to implement the strategy. Key strategic priorities already programmed include the Bognor Regis Relief Road (linked to development at SITE 6), the programmed improvements to the A27 at Chichester, and the West Sussex ‘Coastal Expressway’, a high quality bus service linking the main coastal towns between Brighton and Portsmouth. Improvements to the A27 at Arundel are also considered to be a key priority, but are not currently included in the regional transport programme to 2018.

4.12 Open space – Existing and future requirements have recently been assessed through an Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study. The study identifies deficits in existing provision, and sets standards for provision of open space and built sports and leisure facilities to be provided or funded as part of new development.

4.13 Leisure and visitor facilities – New leisure and visitor related development will mostly focus on Bognor Regis, Littlehampton and Arundel. In addition to the town centres, there are major opportunities to provide new and enhanced facilities on the seafronts at both Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, and as part of an integrated strategy for Littlehampton Harbour.

4.14 Other infrastructure – A range of other physical infrastructure will be required, including coastal and river flood defences and mitigation measures, water supply, water and sewage treatment, energy and waste facilities etc. The Council has already undertaken considerable work with the key infrastructure providers and statutory agencies to identify future needs. As noted above, a more detailed assessment of infrastructure, funding and delivery associated with the three development options has now been commissioned.

4.15 In addition to meeting all these requirements, the Council also has to ensure that any spatial strategy put forward is practical. The Strategy must be deliverable in terms of being capable of implementation. This raises key questions such as: • Is there strong likelihood that locations and sites identified for development can and will be brought forward within the envisaged LDF timescale? • Who are the key players – landowners, developers, statutory bodies, service providers - who will be responsible for implementing development? • What are the key development constraints which need to be overcome? • What infrastructure and facilities are required to support development, how and when can it be provided, and who will pay for it?

4.16 The Council is still undertaking work to answer all these questions through studies currently underway. The Council has recently commissioned a detailed study looking at the infrastructure requirements, funding costs and delivery mechanisms associated with each of the three spatial options under consideration. Linked to this will be a detailed sustainability appraisal of the options, which will evaluate how far each can contribute to meeting Arun’s economic, social and environmental needs.

4.17 However, the Council is also anxious to ensure that Arun’s residents and key stakeholders play a role in this process, and have a chance to provide their views and comments. For this reason, we are consulting on the three options under consideration at this stage. The opportunity to comment is particularly relevant at this point in time, as the Government is undertaking its own consultation locally on the principle of Eco-towns, but not directly on the proposed location at Ford.

South East Plan Requirements

4.18 The draft South East Plan sets the regional strategic planning framework over the period to 2026. It includes specific strategic planning requirements that Arun’s LDF Core Strategy has to meet. A full summary of the South East Plan policies relevant to Arun is provided in Appendix 1.

4.19 In terms of spatial planning, the section of the South East Plan most directly relevant to the Arun LDF is the sub-regional strategy for the Sussex Coast set out in Policies SCT1-SCT7. As referred to in Part B of this document, the key priority identified for the sub-region as the promotion of sustainable economic growth and regeneration of the Sussex Coast. Of particular relevance is the reference in Policy SCT1(iii) that development in Arun should be provided through “sustainable urban extensions”. Policy SCT4 states that, within these, new employment allocations should be included as appropriate.

4.20 Policy SCT5 sets out the proposed housing distribution across the sub-region, with Arun expected to provide a total of 11,300 dwellings over the period 2006-2026, equivalent to 565 dwellings per annum. The policy specifically states that: “Most of the development should be focused on existing towns by optimising the use of previously-developed land and, where necessary, by making new land allocations as sustainable urban extensions of existing towns (including appropriate provision for employment uses, local services and facilities and open spaces.”

Meeting the Housing Requirements

4.21 As noted, the draft South East Plan sets a net housing provision requirement of 11,300 new homes for Arun District over the period 2006-2026. In addition, Arun has to meet a shortfall of 212 dwellings in meeting the previous Structure Plan requirements. This results in a combined housing requirement of 11,500 net dwellings.

4.22 The LDF is expected to provide sufficient housing land to ensure that the identified housing requirement will be met within the LDF timescale, making appropriate contingencies in case sites do not come forward as anticipated or identified sources do not deliver as much housing as predicted.

4.23 Table 4.1 below sets out how Arun’s housing requirements can be met from different sources. This is explained in more detail below.

. Table 4.1: Arun Future Housing Requirements

Arun housing requirement 2006 – 2026 11,500

Housing supply already identified: Housing completions 2006-2008 900 Expected housing from existing planning permissions 3,450

Housing requirement to be identified over the 7,150 plan period

Potential housing supply: Potential Brownfield development in the urban areas 1,250 -1,750 of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton

Remaining greenfield housing requirement 5,500 – 6,000

Completions and Existing Commitments

4.24 Around 900 homes have already been built since 2006 and a further 3,450 are expected to come forward from existing planning permissions. This leaves a requirement for the Core Strategy to identify land to accommodate a further 7,150 dwellings.

Brownfield Sites

4.25 The Council has undertaken detailed work to assess the level of housing potential within existing settlements and built-up areas. There is potential to provide between 1,250 and 1,750 homes on identified brownfield sites within the existing Greater Bognor Regis and Littlehampton urban areas.

4.26 These figures are based on the findings of a detailed Urban Housing Potential Study undertaken in 2006, as well as sites identified in a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) which is currently being prepared. The range of figures reflects the fact that it is not possible to be more precise about the exact amount of housing which will come forward.

4.27 The Council will adopt a positive planning approach by allocating identified sites and opportunities, and work with landowners and developers to see them delivered. However, it should be noted that it is not possible to be precise about the exact amount of housing likely to come forward or be certain that all identified sites will be developed.

Greenfield Housing Requirement

4.28 After considering existing commitments and housing potential within the Bognor Regis and Littlehampton urban areas, there is a remaining

requirement for the Core Strategy to allocate adequate greenfield land to accommodate between 5,500 and 6,000 new homes.

Spatial Strategy to 2026

4.29 The spatial strategy and location of development in the early part of the plan period will reflect existing priorities and proposals identified in the Arun District Local Plan 2003, the Sustainable Community Strategy, Arun priorities, Local Area Agreement and other relevant strategies that are currently being implemented. This includes the major planned housing developments to the north of Bognor Regis at Bersted and Felpham (known as SITE 6) and associated Bognor Regis Relief Road, which has planning approval but is not yet developed. It also includes programmes already underway to bring forward the town centre redevelopment opportunities identified in the Bognor Regis Masterplan and Littlehampton Vision.

4.30 A key question for the Core Strategy to determine is whether the main focus of future development should continue to be the coastal towns or whether a different pattern of growth and development would better serve the District’s needs and priorities in order to deliver the Vision identified in Part C of the document. Based on the analysis above, three alternative spatial options for growth have been identified. These are summarised below.

Spatial Option 1 Sustainable urban extensions to coastal towns Focus growth predominantly on the coastal towns of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, through a combination of development within the existing built- up areas, combined with planned sustainable urban extensions. Some development will be located in other parts of the district to meet local need.

Spatial Option 2 New settlement at Ford Concentrate growth at Ford, through development of a new settlement (Ford eco-town) providing major housing, employment and community facilities.

Spatial Option 3 Expansion of inland settlements Focus a higher proportion of new development towards the larger inland settlements, particularly Barnham/ Eastergate/ Westergate and Angmering. 4.31 Delivery of the spatial options set out above is dependent on identifying suitable locations which are available and have the capacity to accommodate major strategic development over the LDF period. The work undertaken for the Core Strategy initially identified a total of 20 potential locations for development across the District. These included development locations proposed in response to the Core Strategy Issues and Options consultation (Autumn 2005), together with major development sites identified as part of the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) work. A total of 10 possible locations were identified for extensions to the coastal towns (Option

1), a further 9 for the expansion of inland settlements (Option 3), with Ford as a possible location for a new settlement (Option 2).

4.32 All the potential locations were evaluated against a range of criteria linked to the Strategic Objectives identified in Part C of this document. Following an initial assessment, 14 locations have been considered unsuitable for large scale strategic development. Appendix 3 provides details of this initial assessment, together with the conclusions on each location.

4.33 Six potential development locations have been carried forward for more detailed analysis. They include 3 potential development locations on the edge of the coastal towns, Ford, and 2 locations for major expansion of inland villages. These locations have been incorporated in Spatial Options 1–3 as presented below.

4.34 Appendix 4 presents a comparative assessment of these locations, based on the evidence currently available. Further detailed studies are now being undertaken to assess the specific infrastructure requirements, potential funding and delivery of development in each of these locations. It is recognised that further information is needed, including a detailed Sustainability Appraisal, before a sound judgment can be made as to the most appropriate option.

Spatial Option 1: Sustainable Urban Extensions

4.35 This option reflects the spatial strategy set out for the Sussex Coast set out in the draft South East Plan (see earlier paragraphs), by focusing growth on Arun’s main towns of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, through sustainable urban extensions. It is therefore the option which the Core Strategy should follow, unless it can be clearly demonstrated with evidence that there is a more sustainable and effective way of achieving the national, regional and local priorities.

4.36 This approach would fit well with the Sustainable Community Strategy and our proposed vision for regeneration of the coastal towns. Concentrating most development in the coastal towns would reflect the existing role and hierarchy of settlements in the District, by locating most growth in areas which have the largest existing concentrations of population and the greatest availability of employment, services and facilities. The two coastal towns also have the highest concentrations of housing, social and economic need, with significant areas of general deprivation. They have generally better transport infrastructure and public transport services. In addition, both Bognor Regis and Littlehampton are currently the focus for extensive regeneration programmes, seeking to revitalise their town centres, bring forward key development sites and employment opportunities, provide new or expanded education and training facilities, and improve transport infrastructure.

4.37 Urban extensions alone would not meet all of the District’s housing and other development needs. A significant proportion of Arun’s population live in the sizeable villages of Barnham, Westergate, Eastergate, Yapton, and

Angmering, the historic town of Arundel, and numerous smaller settlements. There would be a requirement to provide some small scale development for housing, employment and other community facilities, to meet the local needs of these villages, particularly in terms of affordable housing and the provision of a wider range of local employment opportunities. Option 1 would therefore allocate some housing across the rural areas, focusing in particular on the larger and better connected villages.

4.38 The option of expanding the coastal towns would not be without infrastructure problems, since many of the potential locations on the edge of the urban areas are affected by flood risk issues. In addition, all potential development sites across the District bring problems relating to the capacity of the road network to take additional traffic without prior investment in the local and strategic highway networks. However, when measured against the Council’s strategic objectives, regional policies, and the evidence base we have at present, sustainable urban extensions clearly have merit and represent an approach which has the prospect of being deliverable and effective.

Areas of Search

4.39 A number of possible ‘areas of search’ were identified on the edge of the Bognor Regis and Littlehampton urban areas, which it was considered might be suitable locations to be brought forward for housing and related uses during the LDF period. This information was generated based on information gathered through the preparation of the SHLAA, and comprise locations which were considered to potentially have the capacity to accommodate major strategic development.

4.40 A total of 10 potential locations were initially identified, 5 each in the Bognor Regis area and the area between Littlehampton and Ferring. The potential development locations examined are listed below.

Bognor Regis area. Littlehampton area

South Pagham West Bank North Pagham North Littlehampton (Courtwick area) North-west of Chalcraft Lane North Littlehampton (Toddington Nurseries) West of Felpham North of Rustington North of Middleton Ferring 4.41 An assessment was undertaken of the 10 identified locations, focusing on their potential capacity, sustainability, deliverability, and conformity with the vision and strategic objectives set out in Part C of this document. Following this assessment, a number of the areas of search were rejected as being unsuitable or unsustainable locations for strategic development. As previously noted, details of this assessment are provided in Appendix 3.

4.42 Option 1 as set out here includes those locations identified as most suitable for strategic development, as presented below.

Proposed Option

Bognor Regis

4.43 Development on the north-western edge of the built-up area, comprising land between the A259 and B2166 to the north-west of Chalcraft Lane.

4.44 This location has the potential to provide: (i) 2,500 homes of which 40% would comprise affordable housing (ii) 50,000 sq metres of office/commercial floorspace (iii) a new local shopping centre and other community facilities including a primary school, a health centre and a community /leisure centre and public open space (iv) road improvements, potentially including a new section of the Bognor Regis Relief Road (v) improved access and sustainable transport networks linking the new development to local facilities and Bognor Regis Town Centre

4.45 Development in this location would need to demonstrate acceptable traffic impacts on the A27 trunk road at Chichester, where programmed improvements are not due to commence until 2014.

Littlehampton

4.46 Two locations to the north of Littlehampton are considered to have potential for major development.

4.47 Land at Toddington Nurseries – This location comprises the site of existing nurseries to the north of the railway lane. Development would require a new

access road over the railway line linking the development in to the town. The location could potentially provide: (i) 1,500 homes of which 40% would comprise affordable housing (ii) 30,000 sqm industrial/ commercial floorspace (iii) Community facilities including junior school, allotments, open space and sports pitch provision and a youth facility (iv) New access road bridging the railway line, and providing the means of implementing the remainder of the proposed Lyminster Bypass/ Fitzalan Road Extension road scheme

4.48 Land at Courtwick Lane – This location has potential to provide: (i) 500 homes of which 40% would comprise affordable housing (ii) 10,000 sqm industrial/ commercial floorspace. (iii) improved vehicular access to the A259 (iv) improved public transport, cycling and walking links with the local area as well as the town centre (v) Open space including a natural/wildlife corridor along the western edge of the proposed site

Angmering

4.49 Development constraints, in particular flood risk, restrict the potential site areas available for development at both the Toddington Nurseries and Courtwick sites, effectively limiting development at north Littlehampton to no more than 2,000 dwellings. There are similar restrictions affecting other possible locations on the edge of the Littlehampton urban area.

4.50 Angmering is reasonably well connected to the Littlehampton urban area, and is a large and reasonably well connected village, with a range of facilities including a secondary school, and is close to a mainline railway station. For this reason, in order to provide balanced housing provision across the District, Option 1 makes provision for a limited development of 500 homes at Angmering. The intention would be to link housing development to provision of employment land/ floorspace, and improvements to transport accessibility, open space and community facilities.

Small Scale Greenfield Sites

4.51 It is envisaged that additional greenfield allocations would be required to accommodate a further 400 – 900 homes. The exact number would depend on the amount of housing which can be accommodated within existing built-up areas (see above).

4.52 Specific sites have yet to be identified, but the SHLAA work has identified a range of possible small/medium sites on the edge of existing settlements. It is proposed that the distribution of housing reflects: (i) the relative size, range of facilities and transport accessibility of settlements; (ii) the broad pattern of identified housing need within different sub-areas;

(iii) assessment of potential constraints and the capacity of different settlements to accommodate expansion and further development.

Housing Distribution

4.53 Option 1 would provide around 85-90% of new housing and other development in and around the two coastal urban areas of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, with the remaining 10-15% focused on the inland villages.

Option 1 - Sustainable Urban Extensions

Other Angmering 6% 5%

Bognor Regis Urban Area 52% Littlehampton Urban Area + Ferring 37%

Spatial Option 2: New Settlement at Ford

4.54 Ford eco-town is a current developer-led proposal, submitted in response to the Government’s Eco-town Programme, which the Government itself is currently evaluating against other submitted eco-town schemes throughout the country. However, the potential for major strategic development at Ford has been considered previously in relation to both the West Sussex Structure Plan and, more recently, the South East Plan.

4.55 Government guidance indicates that the Council is required to test the proposals for the Ford area against other potential development options within the District. The Ford proposal results partly from the Government’s emphasis on increasing housing provision in the South East, but is not currently referred to in the draft South East Plan, and has been brought forward outside the regional planning process. The Secretary of State is seeking to introduce a reference to Eco-towns in her Proposed Modifications to the South East Plan, at Housing Policy H2. However, this proposed change has been challenged, and it is not clear how it would apply in practice as it refers to the next review of the Regional Spatial Strategy, not the current draft Plan.

4.56 The specific proposal being put forward by the promoters has already been assessed by an Arun Council Select Committee in May/June 2008. Details of this separate process are available on the Council’s website at Further details about the Eco-towns Programme are available on the Government Communities and Local Government website at http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingsupply/ecotowns/. However, the option presented here considers Ford as a potential strategic development location, and is not necessarily tied to the specific proposal(s) submitted in response to the Eco-town Programme.

Proposed Option

4.57 Development would be in the form of a stand-alone new settlement on land on and around Ford Airfield, between the existing villages of Ford, Climping and Yapton and would provide: (i) 5,000 new homes, of which 40% would comprise affordable housing (ii) 4,000 jobs (iii) New facilities such as shops, health clinic, a new secondary school, and community and sports facilities, including green space; (iv) A relocated Ford railway station with bus interchange; (v) Potential access and public transport improvements.

Small Scale Greenfield Sites

4.58 Although Option 2 would place the main focus of new development at Ford, it would also require a total of 400 – 900 homes provided on small scale

greenfield sites elsewhere in the District. These would be distributed according to the same criteria as specified in Option 1.

Housing Distribution

4.59 In this option, around 45% of new housing in the District over the period would be provided in this one location. A further 45-50% would be provided in the coastal urban areas, with 5-10% focused on other inland villages elsewhere in the District.

Option 2 - New Settlement at Ford

Other 7%

Bognor Regis Urban Area 30%

Ford 44%

Littlehampton Urban Area + Ferring 19%

Spatial Option 3: Expansion of Inland Villages

4.60 Spatial Option 3 presents an alternative to both Options 1 and 2. It seeks to locate a higher proportion of new development in the inland villages away from the coastal towns. This would accord with the South East Plan policy of providing sufficient growth in the rural areas to enable sustainable rural communities to develop with a reasonable range of facilities. These would not necessarily be developed to the level typically found in a town, but sufficient for the area to be far more self-sustaining, thereby reducing the need to travel. It also ties in with the Council’s own aim of encouraging sustainable rural communities. However it is clearly a strategically different approach from Option1: Sustainable Urban Extensions.

Areas of search

4.61 A total of 10 areas of search were identified around the inland villages as being potentially suitable for strategic development, 6 in the west of the District and 3 in the east. These are listed below.

West of District East of District

Barnham/ Eastergate/ Angmering (East and South) Westergate area Angmering (North) Arundel Findon Fontwell Walberton Yapton Climping/ Horsemere Green

4.62 An assessment was undertaken of the 9 identified locations, focusing on their potential capacity, sustainability, deliverability, and conformity with the vision and strategic objectives set out in Part C of this document. Details of this assessment are provided in Appendix 3.

4.63 Within the inland area, the adjoining villages of Barnham, Eastergate and Westergate are considered to offer the greatest scope for new development in the west of the District, whilst Angmering offers the greatest opportunity in the east. Both the Barnham area and Angmering provide a relatively good range of local shops and services, including secondary schools and health facilities, and both areas benefit from a mainline rail station. In addition, both areas are relatively free of physical and environmental constraints and provide some opportunities for expansion beyond their existing settlement boundaries.

4.64 Both Barnham and Angmering could potentially provide nuclei around which further development could be developed over time. As well as good rail links, both areas have existing connections with the strategic highway network, particularly in the case of Angmering which has an existing recently constructed bypass connecting directly to the A27 and A259. However, in both cases, it is likely that road connections and/or junctions would require significant improvement to accommodate major new development. In both cases, existing internal road connections within the villages are severely constrained. Transport modelling work has already been commissioned to examine the impact on the strategic highway network of this option. With regard to other constraints, development away from the coast would have some climate change benefits in that coastal flooding risk is removed, but there remain other types of flood risk including groundwater, which is a particular issue in the Barnham area.

4.65 The assessment of potential capacity for development around the two identified locations is based on a preliminary assessment of potentially suitable sites identified through the SHLAA. As previously mentioned, further detailed work is now underway to assess the infrastructure, funding and delivery of all the options being considered and this may lead to amendments to the indicative housing and employment figures presented here. Option 3

below sets out an indicative breakdown of development based on the information currently available.

Proposed Option

Barnham, Eastergate and Westergate

4.66 The SHLAA has identified a large number of potential development sites on the edge of the three villages. It is envisaged that a combination of sites would be brought forward, involving development in more than one location. If this option were preferred, it would be necessary to undertake further detailed studies to identify the most suitable sites for development as part of a wider ‘masterplan’ for growth in the villages. As part of this, it would be necessary to develop an integrated framework for development, covering the phasing of development on different sites and providing mechanisms to ensure the timely delivery of key shared infrastructure, such as transport and access improvements.

4.67 Subject to further investigation, the location has potential to provide: (i) 2,500 homes, of which 40% would comprise affordable housing (ii) New employment land/ floorspace to support the development (iii) Improved retail and community facilities (iv) Improved road access (v) Improved public transport, walking and cycling networks

Angmering

4.68 The SHLAA has identified potential development sites between the existing village and the A280 bypass, and also in the Roundstone area to the south of

the village. As at Barnham, it is envisaged that development could involve a number of separate sites, coordinated as part of a ‘masterplan’.

4.69 Subject to further investigation, the location has potential to provide: (i) 1,500 homes, of which 40% would comprise affordable housing (ii) New employment land/ floorspace to support the development (iii) Improved retail and community facilities (iv) Improved road access (v) Improved public transport, walking and cycling networks

North of Littlehampton

4.70 Development of 1,500 homes plus associated development at Toddington Nurseries as in Option 1.

Small Scale Greenfield Sites

4.71 A total of 400 – 900 homes provided on small scale greenfield sites elsewhere in the District as in Options 1 and 2.

Housing Distribution

4.72 In this option, the Barnham area and Angmering would provide around 35% of total new housing and other development in the District, whilst the two main coastal urban areas would provide around 60%, with the remainder in other villages.

4.73 As with all the options being considered, a key factor to be considered is the prospect of being able to develop sustainable communities, which both can provide for their own needs, but would also address the wider needs of the rest of the District. However, the Council believes that there is sufficient merit in expanding these inland villages for this to be considered a realistic alternative option. Further work will be undertaken to investigate the potential for development to be focussed, at least in part, on seeking to build up sustainable inland communities as a way of meeting Arun’s priorities.

Option 3 - Expansion of the Inland Settlements

Other 3% Barnham / Eastergate / Westergate Bognor Regis Urban Area 22% 30%

Angmering 14%

Littlehampton Urban Area + Ferring 31%

PART E – SUMMARY AND QUESTIONS

5.1 This consultation document is an important stage in preparing an LDF Core Strategy to shape the future of Arun over the period to 2026. It has presented a draft Vision of how we think Arun should look in 2026, and identified Strategic Objectives to achieve that vision. It has then set out three different spatial options for growth and development.

5.2 We would now like your views and comments to help us identify which one, out of the three options is best for the district, which is why we are consulting you now. The option that is taken forward into the Core Strategy must be justifiable, meaning that it is founded on a robust and credible evidence base; and should be the most appropriate strategy when considered against the reasonable alternatives. It must also be effective, that is deliverable, flexible, and able to be monitored.

5.3 Once the Council has analysed your views and finalised our evidence-base we will produce a draft Core Strategy which will identify which one of the three options for growth we think best meets the needs of the District to 2026, together with a strategy for delivering it. This draft Core Strategy will contain the necessary policies to deliver the chosen option, and will explain in broad detail the infrastructure required to support it, together with the costs, identification of the delivery partners and how this growth will be phased. It will also contain details of how the plan will be managed and monitored.

5.4 When we have produced the draft Core Strategy, we will undertake further consultation and this will provide an opportunity for you to comment on a full version of the document. This will enable us to finalise the Core Strategy for submission to the Secretary of State who will then appoint an independent Inspector to examine the plan at an Examination in Public.

5.5 The Inspector will firstly check that the Core Strategy has complied with legislation, this includes: (ii) checking that the plan has been prepared in accordance with the Local Development Scheme and Statement of Community Involvement; (iii) that it has been subject to Sustainability Appraisal; (iv) has regard to national policy; (v) conforms generally to the Regional Spatial Strategy; (vi) has regard to Arun’s Sustainable Community Strategy.

5.6 The Inspector will then determine whether the plan is “sound”, this means justified, effective and consistent with national policy. Following the Inspector’s Report, assuming the Strategy is found to be sound, it will be formally adopted by the Council.

5.7 Up-to-date information on the Core Strategy process and timetable are provided on the Council’s website at www.arun.gov.uk.

Consultation Questions to be added

APPENDIX 1

KEY SOUTH EAST PLAN POLICIES RELEVANT TO THE ARUN LDF CORE STRATEGY

The draft South East Plan sets the regional strategic planning framework over the period to 2026. It includes a number of specific requirements that Arun’s LDF Core Strategy has to meet.

The Plan includes an overarching strategy for the whole South East region with ‘cross cutting’ policies that apply throughout the region. In addition, the Plan includes nine sub-regional strategies for defined areas, in Arun’s case the Sussex Coast sub-region. The Plan identifies 22 Regional Hubs to be the focus of growth and regeneration, none of them in Arun District.

Policies CC1 - CC9 cover broad cross-cutting policy themes for the region, including climate change, the ageing population, the environment and implementation of plans. Further policies relate to more specific policy areas, including Sustainable Economic Development, Housing, Employment, Transport, Natural Resource Management, Waste and Minerals, Countryside and Landscape Management, Town Centres, Tourism and Related Sports and Recreation and Social and Community Infrastructure. All these sections have relevance to the development of a Core Strategy for Arun. They include policies which make reference to the need to achieve economic regeneration in the coastal areas, and to increase housing supply, particularly with respect to affordable housing.

Policy TC1 sets out the strategic network of town centres across the South East region. This identifies Bognor Regis as a ‘Secondary Regional Centre’, which should therefore act as a focus for major retail, leisure and employment development.

Sussex Coast Sub Regional Strategy

The section of the South East Plan most directly relevant to the Arun LDF is the sub- regional strategy set out for the Sussex Coast. This interprets and adds to the higher order policies and there are clearly defined themes in the seven policies set out (SCT1-SCT7). The policy focus for the Sussex Coast is unique in that it is the only sub-region where the focus is on solely on Regeneration, whereas all other sub- regions include Growth.

The particular challenges faced by the sub-region are stated as being to: • Improve economic performance and raise earnings; • Deliver sufficient decent homes and provide a well integrated mix to meet the needs of the area; • Create a better balance between jobs and homes, • Reduce the house price/local earnings ‘affordability gap’; • Minimise the need for out-commuting; • Reduce deprivation and social exclusion by spreading the benefits of sustainable new development as widely as possible across local communities;

• Improve the transport links to reduce peripherality and assist take up of strategic employment sites; • Achieve all of the above in the context of the constraints on land supply while respecting the sub-region’s high environmental quality.

Policy SCT1 sets out broad strategic aims for the Sussex Coast sub-region. It says that local authorities and other agencies should, as a priority, pro-actively pursue and promote the sustainable economic growth and regeneration of the Sussex Coast to: • Reduce disparities and help bring the performance of the sub-region economy up to the South East Plan average; • Respond to the different needs, opportunities and characteristics of each town, or group of towns and all sections of their communities; • Provide for “sustainable urban extensions” in Arun (and other named districts); • Build upon and help deliver major improvements to the strategic transport infrastructure and services both to reduce its peripherality and to improve accessibility within the sub-region; • Achieve a better balance between the provision of housing and the capability of both the local environment and economy to absorb this in a sustainable way whilst responding as far as possible to the needs of local people for decent homes at a price/cost that they can afford; • Protect and enhance the sub-region’s high environmental quality (in both town and country), enhance its cultural and historic assets and promote excellence in the design of new developments in recognition of their importance to economic success and quality of life.

Policy SCT2 focuses on enabling economic regeneration. It indicates that national and regional assistance and expenditure should promote the social and economic regeneration of areas in greatest need, giving priority to the area between Shoreham Harbour and Rye, but targeting other pockets of deprivation throughout the sub- region. Improvements to the east-west transport connections are seen to be vital and the A27 and A259 are specifically referred to.

Policy SCT3 refers to the management of existing sites and premises. It emphasises the need to deliver sufficient appropriate sites and premises for business and other uses that will help to facilitate the regeneration of the local economy. It includes specific reference to the need to unlock and develop the existing employment allocation North of Bognor Regis (i.e at Oldlands Farm).

Policy SCT4 states that new employment allocations need to be well connected to the transport links. It specifically states that employment allocations should be included as part of the policy direction for Sustainable Urban Extensions in Arun.

Policy SCT5 sets out the amount and distribution of housing to be provided in each district within the Sussex Coast Sub-Region. This identifies Arun as needing to provide 565 net dwellings per year, equivalent to 11,300 homes over the period 2006-2026. This is the second highest district requirement after Brighton and Hove. The theme of sustainable urban extensions is again repeated, both within the policy and in the supporting text. The policy specifically states: “Most of the development should be focussed on existing towns by optimising the use of previously developed land and, where necessary, by making new

land allocations as sustainable urban extensions to existing towns (including appropriate provision for employment uses, local services and facilities, and open space” This point is repeated in the supporting text with Arun being specifically referred to.

Policy SCT6 addresses provision of affordable housing. It requires Local Planning Authorities to establish appropriate policies and local targets for the provision of affordable housing in their area. It states that the appropriate proportion of affordable housing should be the maximum that the viability of particular developments can support, given contributions to other infrastructure requirements. It sets a general guide figure that 40% of new housing development should be affordable, but indicates that local authorities can seek a higher or lower figure where local circumstances justify it. Lastly, it states that the type, size and nature of affordable housing sought should recognise the distinct needs of different sections of the community.

Policy SCT7 relates to implementation and delivery, focusing on the need for multi- agency working involving local authorities, regional agencies, government representatives and other key stakeholders. For Coastal West Sussex from Selsey to Adur, relevant agencies should continue to develop the co-ordinated approach fostered by the Area Investment Framework and other specific initiatives.

APPENDIX 2

ARUN SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY STRATEGY PRIORITIES - ANALYSIS OF STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS

Introduction

This SWOT analysis takes as its starting point the 11 themed Priorities for Action listed in the Sustainable Community Strategy. For each Priority, the sustainable Community Strategy sets out a broad vision of where Arun wants to be in 20 years’ time. The SWOT analysis has been used to help assess where Arun stands at the moment and how future trends may affect our ability to meet our aspirations. From this analysis have been identified key spatial implications which the LDF and Core Strategy need to consider and plan for. These are set out in the following tables.

A Healthy and Caring Community

Sustainable Community Strategy Vision

“When we ask people what is important to them, being healthy is in the top three things mentioned. A healthy community is one which enjoys good health and wellbeing, with the right care available when and where needed and a healthy environment in schools, workplaces and outdoors. A caring community is one which is aware of, and helps, people in need of care and support.”

SWOT Analysis

Strengths • Life expectancy across District is higher than national average • Good climate • Generally good access to greenspaces, countryside and coast

Weaknesses • Parts of Bognor Regis (in Marine ward)and W Littlehampton (in River and Ham wards) fall within 10% most deprived areas in England for Health indicators • No A & E hospital departments in District – nearest are Chichester and Worthing

Opportunities • Arun has good potential to encourage healthy lifestyles • PCT plans for Arun Community Hospital at Littlehampton • Potential for new development to improve access to healthcare facilities • Potential for new development to provide accessible green space, sport/ leisure facilities, pedestrian and cycling routes • Potential for new development to encourage local food production, e.g allotments

Threats • Loss of open space and countryside to development • Increased pollution/ reduced air quality due to new development and increased car usage • Ageing population will create more demand for healthcare • Increasing social isolation could reduce voluntary care/ support networks • Funding constraints on Voluntary Community Sector organisations supporting vulnerable groups leaving gaps in service

Spatial Implications for LDF

• Need to address issues of health deprivation in central Bognor and west Littlehampton • Need to take account of accessibility and capacity of health services in locating new housing development • Need to ensure new housing development makes provision for green infrastructure, sport and leisure facilities, local food production, and is designed to encourage walking and cycling

A Well-Educated Community

Sustainable Community Strategy Vision

“A well-educated community aims to provide a high quality, rounded education that enables people to achieve their potential, both academically and as a citizen, and pupil-focused support to those who need it. It also promotes a culture of lifelong learning for all ages and abilities.”

SWOT Analysis

Strengths • Above average performance by schools in Angmering and Barnham • Co-ordination of services for children & young people via Integrated Service Delivery Areas • Community venues for adult and community learning

Weaknesses • Low educational attainment for GCSEs and higher level qualifications across District • Parts of N Bognor (in Orchard and Bersted wards) and W Littlehampton (in Ham ward) fall within 10% most deprived areas in England for Education, Skills and Training

Opportunities • Academy status for Littlehampton Community College • Expansion of Bognor Regis Community College • Expansion of Univ of Chichester in Bognor Regis • Linking upskilling agenda to education and local businesses • Presents opportunities for skills upgrading and links to key employment locations • Potential economic/ social spin-offs from expansion of student population in central Bognor Regis

Threats • Low education/ skills base constrains future regeneration/ economic growth • Poor education/ skills restrict local people’s ability to take advantage of opportunities from economic regeneration

Spatial Implications for LDF

• Need to address very poor levels of educational attainment in most deprived areas – north Bognor/Bersted and west Littlehampton • Expansion of education presents major opportunities for regeneration in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton • Need to take account of accessibility and capacity of education provision in locating major new housing development

A Fair and Equitable Community

Sustainable Community Strategy Vision

“Arun is a district of contrasts. Our vision is that everyone is able to make choices and access the same services, information and opportunities and that everybody’s voice is heard.”

SWOT Analysis

Strengths • Levels of deprivation across Arun generally below national average

Weaknesses • Localised areas of serious deprivation in parts of Bognor Regis (in Marine and Hotham wards) and Littlehampton (in River and Ham wards) fall within worst 10% areas in England • Arun falls within worst 25% districts in England based on surveys of residents’ perceptions of community cohesion at the neighbourhood level • Parts of Arundel, Walberton and Yapton wards fall within the worst 10% in England in terms of IMD Barrier to Housing and Services

Opportunities • Economic regeneration in coastal towns can provide better opportunities and help to reduce social inequalities • Local Neighbourhood Improvements Areas established support & fund projects in most deprived wards - Hotham, Marine, Orchard, Pevensey and Bersted in BR + River, Ham & Wick with Toddington in Littlehampton • Encouraging better balanced population through measures to retain young people in Arun, e.g provision of more affordable housing and employment opportunities • Development of rural hubs can improve access to services

Threats • Increasing social/ community tensions – e.g in relation to in-migrants, tourists, inter- generational etc

Spatial Implications for LDF

• Need for focused investment programmes to address problems in areas of high deprivation – north/central Bognor Regis and west/central Littlehampton • Need to address issues of social isolation and access to services in some rural parts of Arun

A Well-Informed and Involved Community

Sustainable Community Strategy Vision

“To be able to get information quickly and easily. To have local agencies with the ability to explain what they are doing and gather views from the community. A place with a thriving voluntary and community sector, with sustainable funding to support their work and an active culture of volunteering. Having people who are active in their community and involved in local decision-making that will affect them.”

SWOT Analysis

Strengths • Network of town and parish councils throughout District • Strong voluntary & community sector • LSP and partnership working • Arun achieved best score in West Sussex in a recent survey asking residents if they felt they could influence decision-making in their local area

Weaknesses • Lack of broadband accessibility in some areas

Opportunities • Potential to use ICT and one-stop help points to increase residents’ access to information • Potential to support and promote voluntary and community groups and encourage linkages • Improved access to community facilities, both in new developments and where there is a current deficit

Threats

Spatial Implications for LDF

• Need to enhance and improve accessibility to community facilities • Need to ensure major new housing developments provide for new community facilities and/or link to existing ones

A Safe and Protected Community

Sustainable Community Strategy Vision

When we ask people the single most important thing about where they live and work, the answer is a place where people feel safe. Our vision is to make Arun a safer place by reducing crime and anti-social behaviour. Everyone wants to live in a well- protected place, where inspections and enforcement of standards keep us safe from risks such as dangerous workplaces and poorly cooked food.”

SWOT Analysis

Strengths • Generally safe District with falling crime rates, significant lower than national average

Weaknesses • Small areas of central Bognor Regis (in Marine ward) and central Littlehampton (in River ward) fall within worst 10% areas in England for IMD Crime indicator • ‘Fear of crime’ is a concern for many Arun residents

SWOT Analysis

Opportunities • Economic regeneration in coastal towns can provide better opportunities for least advantaged • Developing a more balanced night time economy in Arun’s main towns

Threats • Worsening economic conditions and social cohesion could increase crime rates in future

Spatial Implications for LDF

• Need to ensure all new developments are well designed for safety and design out crime • Need to improve road user and pedestrian safety and provide safe and attractive walking and cycle routes

A Clean and Green Community

Sustainable Community Strategy Vision

“Whenever we ask people what is important to them about making Arun a better place to live, the desire for a cleaner and better living environment is always near the top of the list. To have ongoing improvements providing an attractive environment for residents and visitors to live, work and enjoy. A greener Arun, through planning for climate change and conserving and enhancing natural resources and the environment.”

SWOT Analysis

Strengths • High quality landscape (Sussex Downs AONB, Arun valley) and coastline • Biodiversity – environmental designations Pagham Harbour SPA, 10 SSSIs, 24 SNCIs, 3 LNRs • Historic environment - 32 Conservation Areas incl Arundel, 14 locally designated Areas of Special Character, nearly 1000 Listed buildings • Flagship parks – Hotham Park, Bognor Regis and Mewsbrook Park, Littlehampton • Good quality agricultural land – 1/3rd classified as Grade 1 or 2 • South coast – highest sunshine hours in UK • Above average performance on waste production and improvement in recycling rates • Good rail network and reasonable bus services in much of coastal urban areas • Good accessibility to key services and facilities in coastal urban areas

Weaknesses • Most of urban fringe areas have high level of landscape and visual sensitivity in relation to new development • Large scale glasshouse development in countryside/urban fringe detracts from landscape • High risk of tidal, fluvial or groundwater flooding across much of District

SWOT Analysis • Large areas of existing development in flood risk areas – e.g within Littlehampton, Bognor Regis and Arundel • Generally poor river quality, especially Chemical grading • 50% SSSIs unfavourable and declining in quality • Generally low density development in urban areas makes inefficient use of land • Congested main road network – A27 esp at Arundel, A259 across most of District • Problems of rat running/ HGVs /speeding on local roads • Main towns not directly on Coastway West rail line • Infrequent bus services away from coastal towns • Limited accessibility to services and facilities in inland villages and rural areas • Severance caused by level crossings and A27

Opportunities • Potential for sustainable energy generation – river/tidal (River Arun), wind (coastal location), solar (above average sunshine), biomass (agricultural land) • Planned road improvements – Bognor Regis Relief Road, A27 Chichester Bypass improvements • Improved public transport – West Sussex Coastal Expressway proposals • New development can provide higher standards of sustainable design and can provide or help fund flood/ drainage management, green infrastructure, improved transport infrastructure and renewable energy • Higher quality design standards can conserve and enhance quality of built environment • Potential for re-use of brownfield land/ increase in development densities in some areas (e.g town centres)

Threats • Increased risk of flooding due to inappropriate development/ climate change • Increased pressure on water resources from growth/ development (may be exacerbated by climate change) • Designation of South Downs National Park increases visitor pressure • Threat to designated areas from development/ growth/ visitor pressure • Potential loss of good quality agricultural land to development • Rising car use increases congestion, pollution, carbon emissions, and reduces levels of tranquillity • Inadequate funding available for infrastructure improvements – transport, flood defences, renewable energy etc

Spatial Implications for LDF

• Flood risk issues in central Littlehampton, Arundel, parts of Bognor Regis and other potential development areas • Need to avoid development in high flood risk areas and ensure new development addresses flood prevention, mitigation and protection • Impact of designation of South Downs National Park in terms of visitor pressure, particularly at Arundel

• Need to ensure new development does not compromise individual character of settlements and quality of built and historic environment • Need to integrate and enhance historic built environment in urban regeneration initiatives • Need to avoid major development in most sensitive areas in terms of landscape and biodiversity (e.g close to Pagham Harbour) • Waste recycling facility at Ford MRF currently under construction • Potential to provide renewable energy at key locations (e.g coast, River Arun) • Need to upgrade road infrastructure in key locations (e.g A27 Arundel improvements) • Need transport plans for central Bognor Regis and Littlehampton • Potential improvements to services/ infrastructure along main public transport corridors – Coastal Expressway and Coastway West rail line

A Properly Housed Community

Sustainable Community Strategy Vision

“A place where everyone has a home which meets their needs and is of a decent standard, wth community facilities available locally.”

SWOT Analysis

Strengths • Average house prices in Arun coastal towns are lower than average for West Sussex and some neighbouring areas (e.g Chichester, Brighton & Hove)

Weaknesses • Affordability gap (house price/ income) ratio remains high • Recent housing development rates below required SE Plan target • High levels of local housing need compared with levels of affordable housing delivery in recent years • Lack of first stop and move-on accommodation for homeless people • Housing need overwhelmingly concentrated in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton urban areas, but also significant in Arundel and many villages where opportunities for developing affordable housing limited • Parts of Arundel, Walberton and Yapton wards fall within worst 10% areas in England in terms of Barriers to Housing and Services • Specific accommodation needs in terms of supported housing, transient workers and Gypsy, traveller and travelling showpeople sites/accommodation • Proportion of Arun’s housing stock which are ‘second homes’ is double the regional average • Below average development values in parts of coastal towns reduce viability of affordable housing

Opportunities • Falling house prices should reduce affordability gap • Regeneration could help increase housing and land values in central Bognor Regis and Littlehampton

SWOT Analysis

Threats • Housing recession stalling new development (e.g Site 6) leading to increasing shortfall in housing delivery • Falling housing values reducing ability of development to provide/ contribute to affordable housing and other essential social infrastructure • Housing mix which does not meet local housing requirements/ needs

Spatial Implications for LDF

• Need to allocate sites and/or bring forward opportunities to increase District housing delivery • Need to substantially increase levels of affordable housing provision, particularly in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton • Need to provide more affordable housing to address local housing needs in Arundel and inland villages • Need to ensure housing mix addresses local requirements and needs – e.g provision of more 2,3 and 4 bed ‘family housing’ • Need ensure new development provides for community facilities, e.g for children and young people • Need to identify/ bring forward opportunities for specialist housing accommodation – supported housing • Need to address Gypsy, traveller and travelling showpeople accommodation needs

A Fun and Welcoming Community

Sustainable Community Strategy Vision

“A place that is welcoming and has lots of different things to do for residents and visitors of all ages, while making the most of the natural resources of the coast and South Downs.”

SWOT Analysis

Strengths • Recent improvements to public realm in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton town centre • Improved visitor facilities in Littlehampton, e.g Look and Sea Centre, East Beach Café • Upgrading of accommodation and conference facilities at Butlins, Bognor Regis • Long established visitor economy – 2nd largest in West Sussex, focused on Bognor Regis, Littlehampton and Arundel, but many other visitor destinations, e.g Fontwell • Local community support for tourism

Weaknesses • Limited range of ‘night time economy’ in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, compared to

SWOT Analysis neighbouring towns, e.g Chichester, Worthing and Brighton • Only two leisure centres in Arun – Littlehampton and Felpham • Limited range of cultural facilities • Low average visitor spend in Arun • Lack of high profile events/ festivals (recent loss of Bognor Birdman) • Lack of non weather-dependent attractions

Opportunities • Seafront Strategies for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton • Further planned upgrading of visitor facilities at Butlins • Bognor Regis town centre regeneration – Regis Centre, Hothampton Car Park and other Masterplan sites • Expansion of Univ of Chichester/ increase in student population in Bognor Regis • Littlehampton town centre regeneration – St Martins Car Park site • Littlehampton Harbour Strategy • Planned South Downs National Park • Arun coast, countryside and climate provide excellent potential for outdoor activities – e.g sailing, water sports • Growth in short breaks and niche markets

Threats • Failure to upgrade facilities and competition from other areas • Uncontrolled visitor pressures leading to increased traffic congestion, environmental damage and social tensions • Funding constraints on voluntary organisations reduce their activities and reach

Spatial Implications for LDF

• Potential to use regeneration sites/ opportunities in central Bognor Regis and Littlehampton to improve leisure, entertainment and cultural facilities and enhance night-time economy • Opportunities to improve range and quality of visitor facilities, improve environment and transport/access on Bognor Regis and Littlehampton seafronts • Opportunity to exploit major potential of Littlehampton Harbour for water-based leisure activities • Need to plan for additional visitor demand/ pressure likely to result from South Downs National Park • Need to control tourist/ visitor pressure – focus on accessible locations and promote ‘sustainable’ tourism • Need to plan for more and higher quality visitor accommodation • Need to ensure new housing development makes provision for open space, sport and leisure facilities

Skills for Work

Sustainable Community Strategy Vision

“A place where people have the work skills and knowledge needed by local employers at all levels, with relevant, accessible and affordable training available and well-promoted. An economy where there is well-paid and secure work at all levels including for graduates, with wages at least matching county averages.”

SWOT Analysis

Strengths • Existing vocational training facilities – Arena Skills Centre (Bognor Regis) and SkillZone (Littlehampton)

Weaknesses • Low skills base - parts of N Bognor (in Orchard and Bersted wards) and W Littlehampton (in Ham ward) fall within 10% most deprived areas in England for Education, Skills and Training

Opportunities • Expansion of local education (e.g Chi Univ, Littlehampton Academy) offers scope to improve education and skills training • Potential to link upskilling agenda to education and businesses locally

Threats • Low education/ skills base constrains regeneration and economic development and/or prevents many Arun residents from competing for jobs

Spatial Implications for LDF

• Opportunity to capitalise on expansion of education sectors in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton to increase education standards, skills training and links to local businesses • Need to direct education and vocational skills training programmes towards most deprived areas – north Bognor and west Littlehampton

Business Growth

Sustainable Community Strategy Vision

“Making Arun a competitive place to do business, with a growing business sector.”

SWOT Analysis

Strengths • Location in South East – proximity to Gatwick Airport, London, Europe • Strong SME sector • Strong tourism sector – 2nd largest in West Sussex • Diverse tourism offer – coastal towns, beach and water-related activities, Arundel, South Downs etc

Weaknesses • Economic base over-reliant on low paid sectors, e.g retail, tourism, agriculture/ horticulture – average gross weekly wage in Arun is lowest in West Sussex and average earnings 22% below SE average • Localised areas of high deprivation and joblessness – parts of River, Ham, Marine and Hotham wards fall within most deprived 10% areas in England for Employment • Poor transport infrastructure and communications to other areas – e.g congestion on A27 and A259, slow rail links, distance from motorway network • Peripheral location – 180 degree catchment area • Demograhic profile – low % working age population • Low employment density (jobs per 1000 population) • Lack of choice of employment sites in terms of size, location and type – e.g lack of high quality business parks, incubator/starter and ‘move-on’ units • Relative lack of skills in local labour force • Limited office sector in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton • Poor image as a business location • Tourism industry fragmented and seasonal with low average visitor spend

Opportunities • Regeneration of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton can attract new investment and provide new employment land/ floorspace • Regeneration of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton town centres can provide new employment opportunities – e.g office, retail and leisure • Provision of new employment sites linked to new housing development • Scope to improve linkages with more successful economic areas – e.g Crawley/Gatwick, South Hampshire • ICT, flexible working

Threats • Economic downturn/ credit crunch reduces potential investment and leads to job losses/ rising unemployment • Loss of existing employment sites to other higher value uses (e.g housing, retail) • Continuing lack of local employment opportunities leading to increased out-commuting and out-movement by young people • Inadequate transport infrastructure constraining economic development and regeneration

Spatial Implications for LDF

• Potential for new housing development to help deliver new employment land/ floorspace and improve transport infrastructure • Need for proactive policies to identify good quality accessible employment sites and bring forward better range of higher quality business floorspace • Need for strong policies to protect and upgrade existing employment sites – e.g Business Improvement Districts • Need to identify and support local employment sectors with growth potential, through key sector analysis • Need to investigate potential to expand office markets in central Bognor Regis and Littlehampton • Need to support rural economy and provide wider range of local job opportunities in villages • Opportunities to improve range and quality of visitor facilities, esp in key visitor destinations - Bognor Regis, Littlehampton and Arundel • Need to increase linkages in visitor economy and reduce seasonality – e.g by upgrading facilities and targeting niche markets

Thriving Communities

Sustainable Community Strategy Vision

“Town centres, villages and neighbourhoods that have vitality, are thriving, with a sense of civic pride, and that encourage increased retail and visitor spend in the area. In Bognor Regis and Littlehampton where there are major regeneration plans, maintaining a “big picture” vision to ensure co-ordinated development which will lead to greater prosperity, better physical infrastructure and enhanced social wellbeing for all residents.”

SWOT Analysis

Strengths • Co-ordinated “visions” already in place for regenerating Bognor Regis and Littlehampton • Parish Plans (where currently exist)

Weaknesses • High leakage of retail spending to larger, more competitive centres outside District, esp Chichester and Worthing • Relatively poor range of shops in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton town centres, with over- reliance on value rather than high quality retailers • Increasing number of rural villages with no facilities, e.g shops, pubs etc

Opportunities • Regeneration work in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton town centres aimed at expanding and improving shopping, entertainment, leisure, employment • Major redevelopment opportunities in town centres – e.g Regis Centre and Hothampton car Park in Bognor Regis; St Martins Car Park in Littllehampton

SWOT Analysis • Potential for linkage with development of visitor economy – e.g Seafront Strategies, Littlehampton Harbour, Butlins • Potential benefit to Arun’s main centres from population growth/ new housing development leading to increased local spending • West Sussex Rural Strategy - support for improvements to facilities and access in rural areas

Threats • Economic downturn/ credit crunch reduces retail/ visitor spending and stalls investment in redevelopment • Continuing threat from more competitive centres outside the District • Threat to town centres from further expansion of out-of-town retail and leisure facilities • Increased spending from population growth/ new housing development is mostly directed to centres outside the District

Spatial Implications for LDF

• Opportunity for proactive planning policies and strategies which support town centre regeneration and identify/allocate key sites/ opportunities in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton – e.g Town Centre Area Action Plans and Development Briefs for key sites • Potential to link development of visitor economy to expansion of town centre facilities in Bognor Regis, Littlehampton and Arundel • Potential for new housing development in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton urban areas links to and benefits regeneration and revitalisation of town centres • Need to locate major new housing development where it will encourage spending in Arun’s centres, particularly Bognor Regis and Littlehampton • Potential for major housing development to improve transport links and accessibility to town centres • Need for policies to protect and enhance shops and other facilities in Arun’s district, neighbourhood and village centres • Need to ensure new housing developments make provision for local shops and community facilities

APPENDIX 3

INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT LOCATIONS

Introduction

This Appendix presents an initial assessment of possible locations for strategic development, which has been undertaken as part of the work to prepare the Arun LDF Core Strategy. The work involved initially identifying potential development locations across the District. These included locations proposed in response to the Core Strategy Issues and Options consultation (Autumn 2005), together with major development sites identified as part of the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA). In all, a total of 20 broad locations were identified.

All the potential locations were then evaluated against a range of criteria linked to the Strategic Objectives identified below.

SO1 To plan for climate change and work in harmony with the environment to conserve natural resources and increase biodiversity.

SO2 To plan and deliver a range of housing types in locations with good access to employment, services and facilities to meet the District’s housing requirements and the needs of Arun’s residents and communities, ensuring that issues of affordability and the provision of appropriate levels of affordable housing are addressed.

SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic base and provide local job opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships.

SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s outstanding landscape, coastline and historic built environment so reinforcing local character and identity.

SO5 To reduce the need to travel and promote sustainable forms of transport.

SO6 To create vibrant, attractive, safe and accessible town and village centres that build upon their unique characters to provide a wide range of uses and which are a focus for quality shopping, entertainment, leisure and cultural activities.

SO7 To promote strong, well integrated and cohesive communities, through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, provision of good quality accessible community facilities and a safe environment, which delivers an enhanced quality of life to all.

The analysis of each of the 20 potential locations is presented below, followed by a summary and conclusions. As a result of this analysis, 14 locations were rejected as being unsuitable for major strategic development, whilst 6 locations were carried forward for more detailed assessment as set out in Appendix 4 which follows.

South Pagham

Strategic Objectives Assessment SO1 To plan for climate change and The area is directly adjacent to Pagham Harbour, SPA. work in harmony with the Further the area contains a Mixture of Grades 2, 3 and 4 environment to conserve natural agricultural land, none of which is previously developed. resources and increase biodiversity Large area covered with Flood Zone 3a and 3b Tidal Climate Change undefended (2106). Flood Zone 3a and 3b Fluvial Climate Change undefended 2106 in the western and northern parts of the area.

There is a potential area of contamination to the north of the site SO2 To plan and deliver a range of 92 people on the waiting list would like to live in Pagham housing types in locations with good access to employment, services and Housing need within wider area is as follows: facilities to meet the District’s housing requirements and the needs Aldwick: 55 of Arun’s residents and communities, Bognor Regis: 1524 ensuring that issues of affordability Felpham: 160 and the provision of appropriate Middleton-on-Sea: 84 levels of affordable housing are addressed

SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Limited availability to existing employment provision base and provide local job within Pagham opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s There are no designated landscapes across or adjacent outstanding landscape, coastline and to location. However, the landscape has a part Low and historic built environment so part medium capacity for change reinforcing local character and identity

SO5 To reduce the need to travel Approximately 5.3km to Bognor Regis Railway Station and promote sustainable forms of transport Capacity issues would exist on both A259 and B2166 (to Chichester).

Also on A259 through Bognor Regis, although some traffic reduction would occur with the completion of the Bognor Regis Relief Road.

SO6 To create vibrant, attractive, Proximity to higher order centre (distance in a straight safe and accessible town and village line) centres that build upon their unique characters to provide a wide range of Arundel: 16.0 km uses and which are a focus for quality Bognor Regis: 5.5 km shopping, entertainment, leisure and Chichester: 7.1 km cultural activities Littlehampton: 15.0 km Worthing: 27.7km SO7 To promote strong, well Local facilities 0-400m from centre of site: integrated and cohesive None communities, through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, provision of Local facilities 400-800m from centre of site: good quality accessible community None facilities and a safe environment, which delivers an enhanced quality of Local facilities 800-1600m from centre of site life to all 2 Community Halls 1 Post Office 1 Place of Worship 1 Pharmacy 1 Food Store 1 GP Conformity with Draft South East Plan Location appears to conform with spatial strategy for the Sussex Coast sub-region, in particular specific references to “sustainable urban extensions” in Policy SCT1 and Policy SCT5.

Summary

The location is on the edge of the Bognor Regis urban area, but is not close to the town centre or areas of high housing need. It is also relatively remote in terms of public transport and proximity to employment. There are some limited existing local facilities, but over 800m distant. The location is directly adjacent to Pagham Harbour SPA, part of which will be within 400m buffer zone, therefore no residential development should be permitted. Outside the 400m buffer zone, residential development should be accompanied by full mitigation measures. Much of the area is also affected by flooding and is an area of high or medium landscape sensitivity.

Conclusion: Location not considered suitable for strategic development.

North Pagham

Strategic Objectives Assessment SO1 To plan for climate change and The area is within 5km of Pagham Harbour SPA work in harmony with the environment to conserve natural A small area of Previously developed land is within area resources and increase biodiversity of search (Land to the north of Sefter Road around Osborne Refrigeration land)

No known contaminated land is within or close to the site/ area of search.

Grade 2 agricultural land within site/ area of search. SO2 To plan and deliver a range of Housing need within Pagham is 92 housing types in locations with good access to employment, services and Housing need within wider urban area and/or facilities to meet the District’s neighbouring settlements: housing requirements and the needs of Arun’s residents and communities, Aldwick: 55 ensuring that issues of affordability Bognor Regis: 1524 and the provision of appropriate Felpham: 160 levels of affordable housing are Middleton-on-Sea: 84 addressed SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Limited availability to existing employment provision base and provide local job within Pagham opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s No designated landscapes across or adjacent to site/ outstanding landscape, coastline and location historic built environment so reinforcing local character and Landscape contains a Mixture of areas with High and identity Low Medium Capacity for change SO5 To reduce the need to travel The site is approximately 3.4km from Bognor Regis and promote sustainable forms of railway station transport Capacity issues would exist on both A259 and B2166 (to Chichester).

Also on A259 through Bognor Regis, although some traffic reduction would occur with the completion of the Bognor Regis Relief Road.

SO6 To create vibrant, attractive, Proximity to higher order centre (distance in a straight safe and accessible town and village line) centres that build upon their unique characters to provide a wide range of Arundel: 13.8km uses and which are a focus for quality Bognor Regis: 3.5km shopping, entertainment, leisure and Chichester: 6.7km cultural activities Littlehampton: 13.0km Worthing: 26.0km SO7 To promote strong, well Local facilities 0-400m from centre of site: integrated and cohesive 1 Junior School communities, through the promotion 1 Food Store of healthy lifestyles, provision of good quality accessible community Local facilities 400-800m from centre of site facilities and a safe environment, 1 Infant School which delivers an enhanced quality of 1 Bank life to all 1 Food Store 1 Place of Worship 1 Community Hall 1 Bank 1 Post Office 1 Pharmacy 1 Petrol Station

Local facilities 800-1600m from centre of site None Conformity with Draft South East Plan Location appears to conform with spatial strategy for the Sussex Coast sub-region, in particular specific references to “sustainable urban extensions” in Policy SCT1 and Policy SCT5.

Summary

The location is on the edge of the Bognor Regis urban area and is reasonably close to both the town centre and areas of high housing need. It is within reasonable distance of a range of local facilities, but has limited accessibility to employment and is not close to regular public transport networks. There is some landscape with low sensitivity to change and parts of the area are affected by flooding. The area is located within 5km of the Pagham Harbour SPA and therefore residential development would have to be accompanied by mitigation measures. Overall, the location has some advantages, but for most criteria is inferior to the land north-west of Chalcraft Lane.

Conclusion: Location not considered suitable for strategic development.

North West of Chalcraft Lane

Strategic Objectives Assessment SO1 To plan for climate change and The site is within 5km of Pagham Harbour SPA and work in harmony with the contains a very small section of Grazing Marsh in the environment to conserve natural northern section of the site. resources and increase biodiversity No Previously developed land within site/ area of search. Mostly Grade 2 agricultural land with some Grade 1 to the north, however, a Small area of potential contamination in the eastern area of the site

Small section of Flood Zone 3a tidal climate change undefended (2106) to the eastern section of the site. Flood zone 3a tidal climate change undefended (2106) mainly to the north of the site.

SO2 To plan and deliver a range of Housing need within Bersted is 17 housing types in locations with good access to employment, services and Housing need within wider urban area and/or facilities to meet the District’s neighbouring settlements: housing requirements and the needs of Arun’s residents and communities, Bognor: 1524 ensuring that issues of affordability Aldwick: 55 and the provision of appropriate Pagham: 92 levels of affordable housing are Felpham: 160 addressed Middleton-On-Sea: 84 SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Good access to existing employment provision within base and provide local job Bersted opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s There are no designated landscapes across or adjacent outstanding landscape, coastline and to the site/ location. The landscaper is designated as historic built environment so being ‘high/medium’ and ‘high’ landscape capacity for reinforcing local character and change identity

SO5 To reduce the need to travel The site is approximately 2.5km to Bognor Regis and promote sustainable forms of railway station transport Capacity issues would exist on both A259 and B2166 (to Chichester). Also on A259 through Bognor Regis, although some traffic reduction would occur with the completion of the Bognor Regis Relief Road.

A frequent bus service runs past north of the site on the A259.

SO7 To promote strong, well Existing local facilities 0-400m from centre of site integrated and cohesive None communities, through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, provision of Existing local facilities 400-800m from centre of site: good quality accessible community Community Centre facilities and a safe environment, Petrol station and basic food shop which delivers an enhanced quality of Bus Stop (700 route on the Chichester Road) life to all

Existing local facilities 800-1600m from centre of site 2 places of Worship 7 Bus stops 3 Post offices 1 Food shop 4 pharmacies 3 doctors surgeries 1 Youth centre 2 Infant Schools 2 Juniors Schools 1 Secondary School 1 Further Education Centre 1 Petrol Station 1 Bank 1 Community Hall Conformity with Draft South East Plan Location appears to conform with spatial strategy for the Sussex Coast sub-region, in particular specific references to “sustainable urban extensions” in Policy SCT1 and Policy SCT5.

Summary

This location scores well on most counts. It is reasonably close to Bognor Regis town centre, is close to areas of high housing need, and is accessible to employment opportunities in the Bersted area. Although some distance from a railway station, the regular 700 Bus route passes the north of the site. The landscape of the area has low sensitivity, and only small areas fall within Flood Risk Zone 3. However, there are capacity issues on the A259 and B2166. In addition, the site is within 5km of the Pagham Harbour SPA and therefore residential development would have to provide measures to mitigate impact.

Conclusion: Location is considered potentially suitable for strategic development.

West of Felpham

Strategic Objectives Assessment SO1 To plan for climate change and There is no previously developed land within area of work in harmony with the environment search. Potential contamination and historic landfill to conserve natural resources and can be found within the area of search. increase biodiversity Area largely covered with Flood Zone 3a Tidal Climate Change undefended (2106). Small area of Flood Zone 3a and 3b Fluvial Climate Change (2106) running in a north-south direction

Mostly Grade 3 agricultural land with some grade 1 within area of search SO2 To plan and deliver a range of Housing need within parish/ immediate area: housing types in locations with good access to employment, services and Bognor Regis: 1524 facilities to meet the District’s housing Felpham: 160 requirements and the needs of Arun’s residents and communities, ensuring Housing need within wider urban area and/or that issues of affordability and the neighbouring settlements: provision of appropriate levels of affordable housing are addressed Aldwick: 55 Middleton-on-Sea: 84 Pagham: 92 SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Very good availability to existing employment provision base and provide local job within Bognor Regis. Fair access to provision in opportunities by increasing, Felpham diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s There are no designated landscapes across or outstanding landscape, coastline and adjacent to site/ location. Further, the landscape in this historic built environment so area has been designated as ‘Low/Medium Capacity reinforcing local character and identity for change’.

SO5 To reduce the need to travel and Approximately 1.6km to Bognor Regis Railway station promote sustainable forms of transport Capacity issues would exist on the A259 between Felpham and Littlehampton. Also on A259 through Bognor Regis, although some traffic reduction would occur with the completion of the Bognor Regis Relief Road.

The area adjoins a regular bus route. SO6 To create vibrant, attractive, safe Proximity to higher order centre (distance in a straight and accessible town and village line) centres that build upon their unique Arundel: 10.0km characters to provide a wide range of Bognor Regis: 1.7km uses and which are a focus for quality Chichester: 9.6km shopping, entertainment, leisure and Littlehampton: 8.3km cultural activities Worthing: 21.5km SO7 To promote strong, well Local facilities 0-400m from centre of site: integrated and cohesive communities, 1 Primary School through the promotion of healthy 1 Adult Education Centre lifestyles, provision of good quality 1 Secondary School accessible community facilities and a safe environment, which delivers an Local facilities 400-800m from centre of site: enhanced quality of life to all 2 Banks 1 Pharmacy 1 Place of Worship 1 Post Office 2 Food Stores 1 Petrol Station

Local facilities 800-1600m from centre of site: 4 Post offices 6 Place of worship 1 Petrol station 3 Food Stores 4 Primary Schools 1 Hospital 1 GP 3 Pharmacies 1 Bank Conformity with Draft South East Plan Location appears to conform with spatial strategy for the Sussex Coast sub-region, in particular specific references to “sustainable urban extensions” in Policy SCT1 and Policy SCT5.

Summary

This location is close to the centre of Bognor Regis, so scores very well in terms of access to facilities, employment and public transport. However, virtually all of the

area falls within Flood Risk Zone 3 and is highly sensitive in terms of landscape, effectively forming a ‘green buffer’ between Bognor Regis and Felpham. For these reasons, this area is not considered suitable for major development.

Conclusion: Location not considered suitable for strategic development.

North of Middleton

Strategic Objectives Assessment SO1 To plan for climate change and This area of search has no previously developed land. work in harmony with the environment to conserve natural resources and There are no none known areas of contaminated land increase biodiversity within or close to the area of search

Area largely covered with Flood Zone 3a Tidal Climate Change undefended (2106). Very small area of Flood Zone 3a Fluvial Climate Change undefended (2106).

Roughly 50% Grade 1 agricultural land and 50% Grade 2 SO2 To plan and deliver a range of Housing need within Middleton-on-Sea is 84 housing types in locations with good access to employment, services and Housing need within wider area: facilities to meet the District’s housing requirements and the needs of Arun’s Aldwick: 55 residents and communities, ensuring Bognor Regis: 1524 that issues of affordability and the Felpham: 160 provision of appropriate levels of Pagham: 92 affordable housing are addressed SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Limited availability to existing employment provision base and provide local job within Middleton. opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s There are no Designated landscapes across or outstanding landscape, coastline and adjacent to site/ location historic built environment so reinforcing local character and identity The landscape consists of a mixture of Low/Medium and Negligible/Low capacity for change SO5 To reduce the need to travel and The site is approximately 4.5km to Bognor Regis promote sustainable forms of transport railway station

Capacity issues would exist on the A259 between Felpham and Littlehampton. Also on A259 through Bognor Regis, although some traffic reduction would occur with the completion of the Bognor Regis Relief Road.

The site is close to a regular bus route

SO6 To create vibrant, attractive, safe Proximity to higher order centre (distance in a straight and accessible town and village line) centres that build upon their unique Arundel: 7.4km characters to provide a wide range of Bognor Regis: 4.4km uses and which are a focus for quality Chichester: 12.2km shopping, entertainment, leisure and Littlehampton: 5.2km cultural activities Worthing: 18.4km SO7 To promote strong, well Local facilities 0-400m from centre of site: integrated and cohesive communities, None through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, provision of good quality Local facilities 400-800m from centre of site: accessible community facilities and a 1 Place of Worship safe environment, which delivers an 2 Community Halls enhanced quality of life to all 2 Food Stores 1 GP 1 Post Office 1 Pharmacy

Local facilities 800-1600m from centre of site: 1 Place of Worship 1 Infant School 1 Junior School 1 GP 1 Post Office 1 Food Store Conformity with Draft South East Plan Location appears to conform with spatial strategy for the Sussex Coast sub-region, in particular specific references to “sustainable urban extensions” in Policy SCT1 and Policy SCT5.

Summary

The location is on the edge of the Bognor Regis urban area. There is a regular bus route (700) and a reasonable range of local facilities. However, the location is relatively distant from the town centre and areas of high housing need, and has limited availability of local employment. In addition, most of the area is affected by high flood risk (Zone 3) and is an area of landscape sensitivity.

Conclusion: Location not considered suitable for strategic development.

West Bank, Littlehampton

Strategic Objectives Assessment SO1 To plan for climate change and Climping SSSI work in harmony with the environment to conserve natural resources and Almost completely covered by FZ3a and 3b Tidal increase biodiversity Climate Change undefended (2106) and FZ3a and 3b Fluvial Climate Change (2106)

Large area of potential contamination and historic land fill

Grade 4 agricultural land SO2 To plan and deliver a range of Housing need within Littlehampton is 846 housing types in locations with good access to employment, services and Housing need within wider urban area and/or facilities to meet the District’s housing neighbouring settlements requirements and the needs of Arun’s residents and communities, ensuring Climping: 0 that issues of affordability and the provision of appropriate levels of affordable housing are addressed

SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Very good availability to existing employment provision base and provide local job within Littlehampton opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s No designated landscapes across or adjacent to site/ outstanding landscape, coastline and location historic built environment so reinforcing local character and identity Landscape has a Low capacity for change

SO5 To reduce the need to travel and Potential road capacity issues on the A259 at Climping promote sustainable forms of transport Public transport is accessible by crossing the river Arun.

SO6 To create vibrant, attractive, safe Proximity to higher order centre (distance in a straight and accessible town and village line) centres that build upon their unique characters to provide a wide range of Arundel: 5.0km uses and which are a focus for quality Bognor Regis: 9.0km shopping, entertainment, leisure and Chichester: 16.5km cultural activities Littlehampton: 650m Worthing: 12.5km SO7 To promote strong, well Local facilities 0-400m from centre of site: integrated and cohesive communities, None through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, provision of good quality Local facilities 400-800m from centre of site: accessible community facilities and a 1 Petrol Station safe environment, which delivers an 2 Food Stores enhanced quality of life to all 1 GP 2 Community Halls 1 Place of Worship

Local facilities 800-1600m from centre of site: 2 Primary Schools 2 Infant Schools 1 Junior School 6 Places of Worship 8 Community Hall 3 Pharmacies 2 food Stores 4 Banks 1 GP

Conformity with Draft South East Plan Location appears to conform with spatial strategy for the Sussex Coast sub-region, in particular specific references to “sustainable urban extensions” in Policy SCT1 and Policy SCT5.

Summary

Location is very close to Littlehampton town centre (by walking and cycling), so scores very well in terms of access to facilities and employment opportunities, and is close to areas of high housing need. However, the land is located close to the River Arun and is an area of high flood risk (almost all within Flood Zone 3) and high landscape sensitivity. Parts of the area are also adjacent to the Climping SSSI.

Conclusion: Location not considered suitable for strategic development.

North Littlehampton (Toddington Nurseries)

Strategic Objectives Assessment SO1 To plan for climate change and No environmental designations within or adjacent to work in harmony with the environment site/ area of search to conserve natural resources and increase biodiversity Grazing Marsh to the north of the site

Flood zones 3a and 3b fluvial climate change undefended (2106) and flood zones 3a and 3b tidal climate change undefended (2106) cover the northern and eastern section of the site as well as the central area.

Mixture of PDL and non PDL in terms of the definitions used in Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing. However, potential contamination within the site.

Mixture of Grade 1, 2 and 3 agricultural land

SO2 To plan and deliver a range of Housing need within Littlehampton is 846 housing types in locations with good access to employment, services and Housing need within wider area: facilities to meet the District’s housing requirements and the needs of Arun’s Rustington: 388 residents and communities, ensuring East Preston: 115 that issues of affordability and the provision of appropriate levels of affordable housing are addressed

SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Very good availability to existing employment provision base and provide local job within Littlehampton opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s No designated Landscape across or adjacent to site/ outstanding landscape, coastline and location historic built environment so reinforcing local character and identity The landscape has a High capacity for change

SO5 To reduce the need to travel and Approximately 2.1km to Littlehampton railway station. promote sustainable forms of transport Capacity issues on A284 between Littlehampton and Lyminster and on A259. Development would also impact on the local road network.

This area is not currently served by a frequent bus service. SO6 To create vibrant, attractive, safe Proximity to higher order centres (distance in a straight and accessible town and village line) centres that build upon their unique Arundel: 3.5km characters to provide a wide range of Bognor Regis: 11.4km uses and which are a focus for quality Chichester: 17.0km shopping, entertainment, leisure and Littlehampton: 2.1km cultural activities Worthing: 11.7km SO7 To promote strong, well Local facilities 0-400m from centre of site integrated and cohesive communities, No facilities through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, provision of good quality Local facilities 400-800m from centre of site accessible community facilities and a 1 Primary school safe environment, which delivers an enhanced quality of life to all Local facilities 800-1600m from centre of site 1 Petrol station 3 Churches 3 Food shops 5 Infant schools 1 Pharmacy 2 Community halls 1 Post Office 1 Junior school 1 Secondary School 1 Education Centre 1 Petrol Station

Summary

The location is on the northern edge of the Littlehampton urban area (to the north of the railway line), within reasonable distance of the town centre, well related to areas of high housing need, and with very good accessibility to local employment opportunities. There is a wide range of local facilities 800-1600m distant. The area is not currently well served by a frequent bus service and would create some capacity problems on the A259 and A284. Parts of the area fall within Flood Zone 3, but much of the area is currently occupied by glasshouses and has low landscape

sensitivity. On balance, the location is therefore considered to have potential for strategic development.

Conclusion: Location is considered potentially suitable for strategic development.

North Littlehampton (Courtwick Area)

Strategic Objectives Assessment SO1 To plan for climate change and No Environmental designations within or adjacent to work in harmony with the environment site/ area of search to conserve natural resources and increase biodiversity Very small area of flood zone3a and 3b fluvial climate change undefended (2106) and flood zone3a and 3b tidal climate change undefended (2106) within the western boundary.

Flood zones 3a and 3b fluvial climate change undefended (2106) and flood zone3a and 3b tidal climate change undefended (2106) to the west and north of the site.

No previously developed land, but 1 area of contamination at the north of the site

Mostly grade 2 agricultural land with some grade 1 and 3 SO2 To plan and deliver a range of Housing need within Littlehampton is 846 housing types in locations with good access to employment, services and Housing need within wider urban area and/or facilities to meet the District’s housing neighbouring settlements requirements and the needs of Arun’s residents and communities, ensuring Rustington: 388 that issues of affordability and the East Preston: 115 provision of appropriate levels of affordable housing are addressed SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Very good availability to existing employment provision base and provide local job within Littlehampton opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s No designated Landscape outstanding landscape, coastline and historic built environment so The landscape has a Low/Medium capacity for change reinforcing local character and identity

SO5 To reduce the need to travel and Approximately 1.7km to Littlehampton railway station promote sustainable forms of transport Capacity issues on A284 between Littlehampton and Lyminster and on A259. Development would also impact on the local road network.

This area is not served by a frequent bus service.

SO6 To create vibrant, attractive, safe Proximity to higher order centres (distance in a straight and accessible town and village line) centres that build upon their unique Bognor Regis: 9.4km characters to provide a wide range of Chichester: 15.7km uses and which are a focus for quality Littlehampton:1.9km shopping, entertainment, leisure and Worthing: 13.3km cultural activities SO7 To promote strong, well Local facilities 0-400m from centre of site integrated and cohesive communities, No facilities through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, provision of good quality Local facilities 400-800m from centre of site accessible community facilities and a 1 Food store safe environment, which delivers an enhanced quality of life to all Local facilities 800-1600m from centre of site 2 Food stores 1 GP surgery 4/5 Community halls 4 Bus Stops 1 Petrol Station 3 Infant Schools 1 junior School 1 Pharmacy 1 Post Office 2 Places of Worship Conformity with Draft South East Plan Location appears to conform with spatial strategy for the Sussex Coast sub-region, in particular specific references to “sustainable urban extensions” in Policy SCT1 and Policy SCT5.

Summary

The location is on the northern edge of the Littlehampton urban area and has a number of advantages, being within reasonable distance of the town centre, close to areas of high housing need, and with very good accessibility to local employment opportunities. There is a range of local facilities 800-1600m distant. The area is not currently well served by public transport and there are potential capacity issues on the A259 and A284. The area has some issues of landscape sensitivity and areas of high flood risk to the north and west. However, on balance it is considered to have potential for strategic development.

Conclusion: Location is considered potentially suitable for strategic development.

North of Rustington

Strategic Objectives Assessment SO1 To plan for climate change and No previously developed land within site/ area of work in harmony with the environment search to conserve natural resources and increase biodiversity Flood Zones 3a and 3b Tidal Climate Change undefended (2106) and Flood Zones 3a and 3b Fluvial Climate Change undefended (2106) to the north of the area

Adjoins areas of potential contamination 50% Grade 1 and 50% grade 3 agricultural land SO2 To plan and deliver a range of Housing need within Rustington is 388 housing types in locations with good access to employment, services and Housing need within wider urban area and/or facilities to meet the District’s housing neighbouring settlements requirements and the needs of Arun’s residents and communities, ensuring Littlehampton: 846 that issues of affordability and the East Preston: 115 provision of appropriate levels of Ferring: 42 affordable housing are addressed Angmering: 93

SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Good availability to existing employment provision base and provide local job within Rustington opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s No designated landscapes across or adjacent to site/ outstanding landscape, coastline and location historic built environment so reinforcing local character and identity Landscape has a mixture of Low and Low/Medium capacity for change

SO5 To reduce the need to travel and Approximate 1.5km to Angmering Railway Station promote sustainable forms of transport (distance in a straight line)

Potential road capacity issues on the A259 south of Angmering and on the road into Rustington Town Centre

SO7 To promote strong, well Local facilities 0-400m from centre of site: integrated and cohesive communities, Petrol Station through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, provision of good quality Local facilities 400-800m from centre of site: accessible community facilities and a 2 Primary Schools safe environment, which delivers an 2 Community Halls enhanced quality of life to all Local facilities 800-1600m from centre of site: 1 petrol station 7 Places of Worship 1 Community Hall 2 Post Offices 3 food Stores 6 Banks 2 GP 1 Primary School Conformity with Draft South East Plan Location appears to conform with spatial strategy for the Sussex Coast sub-region, in particular specific references to “sustainable urban extensions” in Policy SCT1 and Policy SCT5.

Summary

The location is on the northern edge of the Greater Littlehampton urban area. It has reasonable accessibility in terms of access to local facilities and employment opportunities, and is reasonably close to areas of high housing need, although current access by public transport is not particularly good. However, the area has major constraints in terms of landscape sensitivity and flood risk and has been discounted for these reasons.

Conclusion: Location not considered suitable for strategic development.

Ferring area

Strategic Objectives Assessment SO1 To plan for climate change and Area almost completely covered by FZ3a and 3b 2106 work in harmony with the environment Tidal Climate Change undefended (2106) and Flood to conserve natural resources and Zone 3a and 3b Fluvial Climate Change undefended increase biodiversity (2106)

Some Previously developed land within site/ area of search

One area of potential contamination

Mixture of Grade 1 and 2 agricultural land SO2 To plan and deliver a range of Housing need within Ferring is 42 housing types in locations with good access to employment, services and Housing need within wider urban area and/or facilities to meet the District’s housing neighbouring settlements requirements and the needs of Arun’s residents and communities, ensuring Littlehampton: 846 that issues of affordability and the East Preston: 115 provision of appropriate levels of Angmering: 93 affordable housing are addressed Rustington: 388

SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Limited availability of existing employment provision base and provide local job within Ferring opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s No designated landscapes across or adjacent to site/ outstanding landscape, coastline and location historic built environment so reinforcing local character and identity Landscape has a Low capacity for change

SO5 To reduce the need to travel and Approximately1.6km to Goring by Sea Railway Station promote sustainable forms of transport (distance in a straight line)

Potential road capacity issues on the A259 south of Angmering.

A Regular bus route runs to the north of the area.

SO6 To create vibrant, attractive, safe Proximity to higher order centre (distance in a straight and accessible town and village line) centres that build upon their unique characters to provide a wide range of Arundel: 8.1km uses and which are a focus for quality Bognor Regis: 15.8km shopping, entertainment, leisure and Chichester: 23.0km cultural activities Littlehampton: 6.3km Worthing: 5.9km SO7 To promote strong, well Local facilities 0-400m from centre of site (based integrated and cohesive communities, on land to the west of Ferring as the centre point): through the promotion of healthy 1 Place of Worship lifestyles, provision of good quality accessible community facilities and a Local facilities 400-800m from centre of site: safe environment, which delivers an 2 Food Stores enhanced quality of life to all 1 Place of Worship 1 Post Office 1 Pharmacy 1 Community Hall

Local facilities 800-1600m from centre of site: 1 Primary School Conformity with Draft South East Plan Not clear that location would conform with spatial strategy for the Sussex Coast sub-region, which refers to “sustainable urban extensions” in Policy SCT1 and SCT5, since Ferring is a physically separate village, although forming part of the wider West Sussex coastal urban area.

Summary

Ferring is a coastal village, separate but closely related to the Greater Littlehampton urban area. As a location, it offers only a limited range of facilities, with limited local employment provision and is not close to areas of high housing need. There is reasonable public transport in the north of the area. However, most of the area is subject to high flood risk and the landscape has low capacity for change.

Conclusion: Location not considered suitable for strategic development.

Barnham / Eastergate / Westergate Area

Strategic Objectives Assessment SO1 To plan for climate change and No Environmental designations within or adjacent to work in harmony with the site/ area of search environment to conserve natural resources and increase biodiversity Various areas of flood zone 3a and 3b fluvial climate change undefended (2106) and flood zone 3a tidal climate change undefended (2106)

Previously developed land within site/ area of search is not known as no specific sites have been identified

Mixture of Grades 1, 2, and 3 agricultural land

SO2 To plan and deliver a range of Housing need within area: housing types in locations with good access to employment, services and Barnham:92 facilities to meet the District’s Eastergate:22 housing requirements and the needs Westergate:9 of Arun’s residents and communities, ensuring that issues of affordability Housing need within wider area+ and the provision of appropriate levels of affordable housing are Aldingbourne: 21 addressed Fontwell: 1 Yapton: 61 SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Limited availability to existing employment provision base and provide local job within Barnham, and poor availability to existing opportunities by increasing, employment provision within Eastergate and diversifying and improving the quality Westergate. of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s The landscape has a mixture of Low, Low/Medium, outstanding landscape, coastline and Medium, Medium/High capacity for change historic built environment so reinforcing local character and identity

SO5 To reduce the need to travel Between 518m to 2.5km to Barnham Station and promote sustainable forms of (Approximate) transport Congestion issues relating to the junctions on the A27, the A29 between Westergate and Eastergate, and the B2233 through the villages. Development would also have an impact on the local road network.

This area is not currently served by a frequent bus service.

SO6 To create vibrant, attractive, Proximity to higher order centres (distance in a straight safe and accessible town and village line) centres that build upon their unique Arundel: 6.7-8.9km characters to provide a wide range of Bognor Regis: 5.7-6.0 km uses and which are a focus for quality Chichester: 7.4-9.8km shopping, entertainment, leisure and Littlehampton: 7.3-9.7km cultural activities Worthing: 19-21km

SO7 To promote strong, well Local facilities 0-400m from centre of site (based on integrated and cohesive Barnham station as centre point) communities, through the promotion 1 Pharmacy of healthy lifestyles, provision of 2 Food Stores good quality accessible community 1 Train Station facilities and a safe environment, 1 Post Office which delivers an enhanced quality of life to all Local facilities 400-800m 1 Primary School 1 Secondary School

Local facilities 800-1600m 1 Place of Worship Conformity with Draft South East Plan No specific references to major expansion of villages in polices for Sussex Coast or elsewhere in South East Plan. Policy BE5 states that LPAs should meet the defined local needs of rural communities for small scale affordable housing, business and service development.

Summary

Barnham, Eastergate and Westergate are three closely related villages, which together create an area fairly ‘suburban’ in character. Barnham village centre has a reasonable range of local facilities and a mainline rail station. The villages also have two secondary schools. The villages do not have high levels of housing need and provide limited accessibility to employment opportunities. Apart from rail services from Barnham station, other public transport services are poor. There is a wide range of potential development locations on the edge of the three villages. These vary in terms of flood risk and landscape constraints, as well as in terms of access to

local facilities. However, subject to further detailed assessment, it is considered that this area may offer some potential for strategic development.

Conclusion: Location may be potentially suitable for strategic development.

Fontwell area

Strategic Objectives Assessment SO1 To plan for climate change and There is no previously developed or contaminated land work in harmony with the within the area of search. However, the area contains environment to conserve natural mostly Grade 3 agricultural land with some grade 2 to resources and increase biodiversity the south

SO2 To plan and deliver a range of Housing need within Fontwell is for one home, whilst housing types in locations with good housing need within the wider area and neighbouring access to employment, services and settlements is as follows: facilities to meet the District’s housing requirements and the needs Barnham:92 homes of Arun’s residents and communities, Eastergate:22 homes ensuring that issues of affordability Westergate:9 homes and the provision of appropriate Aldingbourne: 21 homes levels of affordable housing are Yapton: 61 homes addressed

SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Poor availability to existing employment provision within base and provide local job Fontwell opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the north of the outstanding landscape, coastline and village historic built environment so reinforcing local character and The landscape has a Medium capacity for change (to identity south, west and east) of the village

SO5 To reduce the need to travel Approximately 2.5km to Barnham Station and promote sustainable forms of No potential road capacity issues transport SO6 To create vibrant, attractive, Proximity to higher order centre (distance in a straight safe and accessible town and village line) centres that build upon their unique Arundel: 6.3km characters to provide a wide range of Bognor Regis: km uses and which are a focus for quality Chichester: 9.8km shopping, entertainment, leisure and Littlehampton: 8.5 km cultural activities Worthing: 19.7km

SO7 To promote strong, well Local facilities 0-400m from centre of site (based on integrated and cohesive the centre of Fontwell as the centre point) communities, through the promotion 1 Petrol Station of healthy lifestyles, provision of good quality accessible community Local facilities 400-800m facilities and a safe environment, None which delivers an enhanced quality of life to all Local facilities 800-1600m 2 Places of Worship 1 Primary School 1 Community Hall Conformity with Draft South East Plan No specific references to major expansion of villages in polices for Sussex Coast or elsewhere in South East Plan. Policy BE5 states that LPAs should meet the defined local needs of rural communities for small scale affordable housing, business and service development.

Summary

Fontwell is a relatively small village with very limited local facilities. The village is not close to areas of high housing need and provides poor accessibility to employment opportunities. Public transport services in the area are also very poor. For these reasons, the area is not considered suitable for strategic development.

Conclusion: Location not considered suitable for strategic development.

Walberton area

Strategic Objectives Assessment SO1 To plan for climate change and There is no contaminated or previously developed land work in harmony with the within or close to the area of search. This area contains environment to conserve natural Grades 1 and 2 agricultural land. resources and increase biodiversity

SO2 To plan and deliver a range of Housing need within Walberton is for 25 homes. housing types in locations with good Housing need within wider area and is as follows: access to employment, services and facilities to meet the District’s Barnham:92 housing requirements and the needs Eastergate:22 of Arun’s residents and communities, Westergate:9 ensuring that issues of affordability Aldingbourne: 21 and the provision of appropriate Fontwell: 1 levels of affordable housing are Yapton: 61 addressed

SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Poor availability to existing employment provision within base and provide local job Walberton opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s There are no designated landscapes across or adjacent outstanding landscape, coastline and to site/ location historic built environment so reinforcing local character and The landscape has a low capacity for change identity SO5 To reduce the need to travel Approximately 2.4km to Barnham Railway station and promote sustainable forms of No potential road capacity issues transport There are no regular bus routes in the area. SO6 To create vibrant, attractive, Proximity to higher order centre (distance in a straight safe and accessible town and village line) centres that build upon their unique Arundel: 4.7km characters to provide a wide range of Bognor Regis: 7.9km uses and which are a focus for quality Chichester: 11.4km shopping, entertainment, leisure and Littlehampton: 6.8km cultural activities Worthing: 17.6km

SO7 To promote strong, well Local facilities 0-400m from centre of site (based on integrated and cohesive land to the north of Walberton as the centre point) communities, through the promotion 1 Primary School of healthy lifestyles, provision of 2 Place of Worship good quality accessible community 1 GP facilities and a safe environment, 1 Community Hall which delivers an enhanced quality of 1 Post Office life to all Local facilities 400-800m from centre of site: 1 Place of Worship

Local facilities 800-1600m from centre of site: None Conformity with Draft South East Plan No specific references to major expansion of villages in polices for Sussex Coast or elsewhere in South East Plan. Policy BE5 states that LPAs should meet the defined local needs of rural communities for small scale affordable housing, business and service development.

Summary

Walberton is a relatively small village with a rural character, providing only limited facilities. It is not close to areas of high housing need, provides poor accessibility to employment opportunities and is poorly served by public transport. Much of the surrounding landscape would also be sensitive to change. For these reasons, the village is not considered suitable for major strategic development.

Conclusion: Location not considered suitable for strategic development.

Arundel area

Strategic Objectives Assessment SO1 To plan for climate change and No previously developed land within site/ area of search work in harmony with the environment to conserve natural Small area Flood Zones 3a and 3b Tidal Climate resources and increase biodiversity Change undefended (2106) and Flood Zones 3a and 3b Fluvial Climate Change undefended (2106) on the eastern section of the area. The flood zones extends further east to the River Arun.

No contaminated land within or close to the site/ area of search

Mixture of Grade 3 agricultural land and non agricultural SO2 To plan and deliver a range of Housing need within Arundel is 102 housing types in locations with good access to employment, services and Housing need within wider urban area and/or facilities to meet the District’s neighbouring settlements housing requirements and the needs of Arun’s residents and communities, Warningcamp: 1 ensuring that issues of affordability Burpham: 6 and the provision of appropriate levels of affordable housing are addressed SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Fair availability to existing employment provision within base and provide local job Barnham opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s The landscape has a Low capacity for change outstanding landscape, coastline and historic built environment so reinforcing local character and identity SO5 To reduce the need to travel Approximately 1.8km to Arundel Railway Station and promote sustainable forms of (distance in a straight line) transport Capacity issues would exist on the A27 (west and east of Arundel)

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SO6 To create vibrant, attractive, Proximity to higher order centre (distance in a straight safe and accessible town and village line) centres that build upon their unique Arundel: 1.5km characters to provide a wide range of Bognor Regis: 10.0km uses and which are a focus for quality Chichester: 14.7km shopping, entertainment, leisure and Littlehampton: 4.6km cultural activities Worthing: 14.7km SO7 To promote strong, well Local facilities 0-400m from centre of site (based on integrated and cohesive land to the south of Arundel as the centre point) communities, through the promotion None of healthy lifestyles, provision of good quality accessible community Local facilities 400-800m from centre of site: facilities and a safe environment, 1 Post Office which delivers an enhanced quality of 1 food Store life to all 1 Primary School

Local facilities 800-1600m from centre of site: 1 Primary School 2 Place of Worship 1 Community Hall 2 Banks 1 Pharmacy 1 Post Office 1 Food Store Conformity with Draft South East Plan Not clear that location would conform with spatial strategy for the Sussex Coast sub-region, which refers to “sustainable urban extensions” in Policy SCT1 and SCT5, since Arundel is a very small town which would not obviously meet this description.

Summary

Arundel is a small historic town, within a highly sensitive landscape setting with much of its surrounding also forming part of the River Arun flood plain. It has a limited range of local facilities, is not an area of high housing need, and would provide limited access to employment opportunities. Major development in the area would also accentuate road capacity/ traffic congestion issues associated with the A27 Arundel.

Conclusion: Location not considered suitable for strategic development.

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Yapton area

No contaminated land within or close to the site/ area of search

Mixture of grades 1 and 2 agricultural land SO2 To plan and deliver a range of Housing need within Yapton is 61 housing types in locations with good access to employment, services and Housing need within wider urban area and/or facilities to meet the District’s neighbouring settlements housing requirements and the needs of Arun’s residents and communities, Barnham:92 ensuring that issues of affordability Eastergate:22 and the provision of appropriate Westergate:9 levels of affordable housing are Aldingbourne: 21 addressed Fontwell: 1 Walberton: 25

SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Limited availability to existing employment provision base and provide local job within Yapton opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s No designated landscapes across or adjacent to site/ outstanding landscape, coastline and location historic built environment so reinforcing local character and The landscape has a Low/Medium capacity for change identity SO5 To reduce the need to travel Approximately 2.3- 3.0km to Barnham Station and promote sustainable forms of depending on exact location (distance in a straight line) transport No Potential road capacity issues

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SO6 To create vibrant, attractive, Proximity to higher order centre (distance in a straight safe and accessible town and village line) depending on location centres that build upon their unique Arundel: 5.2 - 6.2km characters to provide a wide range of Bognor Regis: 5.3 – 6.3km uses and which are a focus for quality Chichester: 11.6 -12.6km shopping, entertainment, leisure and Littlehampton: 4.3 - 5.3km cultural activities Worthing: 16.0 - 17.0km SO7 To promote strong, well Local facilities 0-400m from centre of site (based on integrated and cohesive the centre of Yapton as the centre point) communities, through the promotion 1 Community Hall of healthy lifestyles, provision of 1 Post office good quality accessible community 2 Food Stores facilities and a safe environment, 1 GP which delivers an enhanced quality of life to all Local facilities 400-800m from centre of site

2 Place of Worship 1 Primary School 1 GP

Summary

Yapton is a large village offering a number of potential locations for expansion. The village is served by a regular bus service (700) and is relatively close to both Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, although clearly separate from both. However, the village itself has a fairly limited range of facilities and the immediate vicinity is not an area of high housing need and offers limited availability to employment provision. Much of the surrounding landscape is relatively sensitive to change and there are areas of flood risk. In terms of the limited range of facilities and landscape constraints, the area is not considered suitable for major development.

Conclusion: Location not considered suitable for strategic development.

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Ford Area

Strategic Objectives Assessment SO1 To plan for climate change and There are no environmental designations within or work in harmony with the adjacent to area of search. However an area of Grazing environment to conserve natural Marsh is located to north and east of site resources and increase biodiversity Flood zone 3a and 3b fluvial climate change undefended (2106) and flood zone 3a and 3b tidal climate change undefended (2106) to the northern, eastern and southern parts of the site

Some PDL is present in the area

Three areas of potential contamination within the area

Mostly grade 1, with some grades 2 and 3 agricultural land SO2 To plan and deliver a range of Housing need within parish/ immediate area is as housing types in locations with good follows access to employment, services and facilities to meet the District’s Yapton: 61 housing requirements and the needs Ford: 1 of Arun’s residents and communities, Climping: 0 ensuring that issues of affordability and the provision of appropriate Housing need within wider area and/or neighbouring levels of affordable housing are settlements consists: addressed Barnham: 92 Littlehampton: 846 Arundel: 102 SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Limited availability to existing employment provision base and provide local job within Ford opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s No designated landscape across or adjacent to site/ outstanding landscape, coastline and location historic built environment so reinforcing local character and The landscape mainly has a Low / Medium capacity for identity change with some small areas of Negligible / low, Low and Negligible capacity for change.

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SO5 To reduce the need to travel Approximately 1.4km to existing station at Ford and promote sustainable forms of transport Potential capacity issues on the A27 at Arundel, A259 (north of Middleton and West of Littlehampton) and the Bognor Regis Relief Road.

Potential congestion problems on the B2132 to A27, Ford Lane, Ford Road and the adjacent road network.

Conformity with Draft South East Plan Policies for Sussex Coast sub-region contain no references to new settlements or strategic development in this location. Policy H2 states that there is a need to test the longer term issues that arise from the eco-town proposals through the next review of the RSS.

Summary

This location currently comprises a large mostly rural area, between the village of Yapton and the smaller more dispersed settlements of Ford and Climping. It includes Ford Airfield and a range of other uses (Ford Prison, industrial estates, Sewage works). The area currently has very limited local facilities. The immediate vicinity is not an area of high housing need. There are some local employment opportunities, but not a wide range (Ford Prison and industrial estates). Ford rail station lies to the

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north of the area. Most of the area has relatively high landscape sensitivity, and there are also some areas of high flood risk. In terms of the criteria here, the location does not score well – its suitability for further consideration is dependent on large scale development as envisaged through the Ford ‘eco-town’ proposal.

Conclusion: Location may be suitable for strategic development

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Climping/ Horsemere Green area

Mixture of Grade 1 and 2 agricultural land

SO2 To plan and deliver a range of Housing need within Climping is 0 housing types in locations with good access to employment, services and Housing need within wider urban area and/or facilities to meet the District’s neighbouring settlements: housing requirements and the needs of Arun’s residents and communities, Yapton: 61 ensuring that issues of affordability Littlehampton: 846 and the provision of appropriate levels of affordable housing are addressed SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Limited availability to existing employment provision base and provide local job within Climping opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s No designated landscapes across or adjacent to site/ outstanding landscape, coastline and location historic built environment so reinforcing local character and The landscape has a Negligible/Low capacity for change identity SO5 To reduce the need to travel Approximately 2.5km to Littlehampton railway station and promote sustainable forms of (distance in a straight line) transport Potential road capacity issues on the A259 at Climping and on the road to Arundel.

The area is close to a regular bus route

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SO6 To create vibrant, attractive, Proximity to higher order centre (distance in a straight safe and accessible town and village line) centres that build upon their unique Arundel: 5.4km characters to provide a wide range of Bognor Regis: 7.0km uses and which are a focus for quality Chichester: 14.0km shopping, entertainment, leisure and Littlehampton: 2.8km cultural activities Worthing: 14.5km SO7 To promote strong, well Local facilities 0-400m from centre of site: integrated and cohesive 1 Food Store communities, through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, provision of Local facilities 400-800m from centre of site good quality accessible community 2 Community Halls facilities and a safe environment, 1 Primary School which delivers an enhanced quality of 1 Place of Worship life to all Local facilities 800-1600m from centre of site None Conformity with Draft South East Plan No specific references to major expansion of villages in polices for Sussex Coast or elsewhere in South East Plan. Policy BE5 states that LPAs should meet the defined local needs of rural communities for small scale affordable housing, business and service development.

Summary

Horsemere Green is a modern residential development within a countryside setting, whilst Climping is a small dispersed village, although reasonably close to both Littlehampton and Bognor Regis. The south of the area is close to a regular bus route (700) along the A259. However, the location has very limited local facilities. It is not an area of high housing need, and offers limited local employment opportunities. In addition, it is an area of landscape sensitivity.

Conclusion: Location not considered suitable for strategic development.

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Angmering (East and South)

Strategic Objectives Assessment SO1 To plan for climate change and Small area of flood zone 3a and 3b fluvial climate work in harmony with the change undefended (2106) running on a west-east basis environment to conserve natural through the eastern edge of the village resources and increase biodiversity Some previously developed land south of Bramley Green

Two areas of potential contamination south of the Bramley Green development

Grade 1 agricultural land SO2 To plan and deliver a range of Housing need within Angmering is 93 housing types in locations with good access to employment, services and Housing need within wider urban area and/or facilities to meet the District’s neighbouring settlements housing requirements and the needs of Arun’s residents and communities, Littlehampton: 846 ensuring that issues of affordability East Preston: 115 and the provision of appropriate Ferring: 42 levels of affordable housing are Rustington: 388 addressed

SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Limited availability to existing employment provision base and provide local job within Angmering opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s No designated landscapes across or adjacent to site/ outstanding landscape, coastline and location historic built environment so reinforcing local character and The landscape has a Low/Medium capacity for change identity

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SO5 To reduce the need to travel Approximately 1.5 km to Angmering Railway station and promote sustainable forms of (distance in a straight line) transport Potential road capacity issues on the A259 south of the village.

Potential junction problems on to the A259.

This area is not currently served by a frequent bus service. SO6 To create vibrant, attractive, Proximity to higher order centre (distance in a straight safe and accessible town and village line) centres that build upon their unique Bognor Regis: 14.5km characters to provide a wide range of Chichester: 21.6km uses and which are a focus for quality Littlehampton: 5.3km shopping, entertainment, leisure and Worthing: 7.4km cultural activities SO7 To promote strong, well Local facilities 0-400m from centre of site: integrated and cohesive No facilities communities, through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, provision of Local facilities 400-800m from centre of site: good quality accessible community 1 Secondary School facilities and a safe environment, which delivers an enhanced quality of Local facilities 800-1600m from centre of site: life to all 2 Pharmacies 1 food Store 1 Infant School 2 Primary Schools 1 Junior School 1 Doctors Surgery 1 Place of Worship 1 Food Store 1 Post Office 1 Community Hall Conformity with Draft South East Plan No specific references to major expansion of villages in polices for Sussex Coast or elsewhere in South East Plan. Policy BE5 states that LPAs should meet the defined local needs of rural communities for small scale affordable housing, business and service development.

Summary

Angmering is a large village with a reasonable range of local facilities. There is a number of potential development sites on the eastern and southern edge of the village, some of which comprise previously developed land or glasshouses/ nurseries. Locations within these areas are reasonably accessible to a good range of local facilities within 800-1600m. However, Angmering is not an area of high housing need and currently provides limited accessibility to employment opportunities. Public transport is also generally poor, and some of the area has

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issues of landscape sensitivity. In terms of these criteria, Angmering scores better than most of the other inland villages. Therefore, subject to further detailed assessment, it is considered that this area may offer some potential for strategic development.

Conclusion: Location may be potentially suitable for strategic development.

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Angmering (North)

Strategic Objectives Assessment SO1 To plan for climate change and Flood Zone 3a Fluvial Climate Change to the north of work in harmony with the the area. environment to conserve natural resources and increase biodiversity No previously developed land within site/ area of search

No contaminated land within or close to the site/ area of search

Mostly Grade 3 agricultural land with a small area of Grade 1 SO2 To plan and deliver a range of Housing need within Angmering is 93 housing types in locations with good access to employment, services and Housing need within wider urban area and/or facilities to meet the District’s neighbouring settlements housing requirements and the needs of Arun’s residents and communities, Littlehampton: 846 ensuring that issues of affordability East Preston: 115 and the provision of appropriate Ferring: 42 levels of affordable housing are Rustington: 388 addressed

SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Limited availability to existing employment provision base and provide local job within Angmering opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s No Designated landscapes across or adjacent to site/ outstanding landscape, coastline and location historic built environment so reinforcing local character and Landscape has a Low and Negligible/Low capacity for identity change

SO5 To reduce the need to travel Approximately 2.2km to Angmering Railway station and promote sustainable forms of (distance in a straight line) transport Potential road capacity issues on the A27 north of the village. Also capacity issues on the A280 (from the centre of the village running northwards)

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SO6 To create vibrant, attractive, Proximity to higher order centre (distance in a straight safe and accessible town and village line) centres that build upon their unique Arundel: 5.8km characters to provide a wide range of Bognor Regis: 15.0km uses and which are a focus for quality Chichester: 21.3km shopping, entertainment, leisure and Littlehampton: 5.4km cultural activities Worthing: 8.0km SO7 To promote strong, well Local facilities 0-400m from centre of site: integrated and cohesive None communities, through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, provision of Local facilities 400-800m from centre of site: good quality accessible community 1 Primary School facilities and a safe environment, which delivers an enhanced quality of Local facilities 800-1600m from centre of site: life to all 1 Primary School 1 Place of Worship 1 Community Hall 1 GP 1 Pharmacy Conformity with Draft South East Plan No specific references to major expansion of villages in polices for Sussex Coast or elsewhere in South East Plan. Policy BE5 states that LPAs should meet the defined local needs of rural communities for small scale affordable housing, business and service development.

Summary

In comparison to locations on the east and south of Angmering, locations to the north of the village are more distant from facilities and have greater issues of landscape sensitivity. For these reasons, this area is discounted as a suitable location for major development.

Conclusion: Location not considered suitable for strategic development.

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Findon area

Strategic Objectives Assessment SO1 To plan for climate change and No known Previously developed land within site/ area of work in harmony with the search environment to conserve natural resources and increase biodiversity No contaminated land within or close to the site/ area of search

Mostly Grade 3 agricultural land SO2 To plan and deliver a range of Housing need within Findon is 36 housing types in locations with good access to employment, services and facilities to meet the District’s housing requirements and the needs of Arun’s residents and communities, ensuring that issues of affordability and the provision of appropriate levels of affordable housing are addressed SO3 To strengthen Arun’s economic Poor availability to existing employment provision within base and provide local job Findon opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s Area of search within Area of Outstanding Natural outstanding landscape, coastline and Beauty. historic built environment so reinforcing local character and identity

SO5 To reduce the need to travel Approximately 5.9 km from centre of Findon to Worthing and promote sustainable forms of Railway Station (distance in a straight line) transport Potential road capacity issues on the A280, A27 and A24. Further, Junction problems are predicted to occur where the A27 meets the A280.

The Area is not served by a frequent bus service.

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SO6 To create vibrant, attractive, Proximity to higher order centre (distance in a straight safe and accessible town and village line) centres that build upon their unique Arundel: 10.4km characters to provide a wide range of Bognor Regis: 21.0km uses and which are a focus for quality Chichester: 26.1km shopping, entertainment, leisure and Littlehampton: 11.5km cultural activities Worthing: 6.9km SO7 To promote strong, well Local facilities 0-400m from centre of site (based on integrated and cohesive the centre of Findon as the centre point) communities, through the promotion 1 Food Store of healthy lifestyles, provision of 1 Community hall good quality accessible community 1 Primary School facilities and a safe environment, 1 Post Office which delivers an enhanced quality of life to all Local facilities 400-800m from centre of site: 1 GP 1 Place of Worship

Summary

Findon is a medium sized downland village, but offers limited local facilities, low levels of housing need and poor accessibility to employment opportunities. The area is not well served by public transport and is remote from the Littlehampton and Bognor Regis urban areas. In addition, the village lies within the Sussex Downs AONB and as such is an area of high landscape sensitivity.

Conclusion: Location not considered suitable for strategic development.

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APPENDIX 4

DETAILED COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENT LOCATIONS

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Introduction

The Council is currently producing its Core Strategy in light of the revisions to the Planning System which came into force in June 2008.

In an attempt to involve the community in the planning system and encourage debate the Council has decided to produce a consultation document. This document, will be called Arun’s Core Strategy “Options for Growth” will be published for a 6 week period of consultation in February 2009.

Consultants have been appointed to produce a Sustainability Appraisal (SA) of the Core Strategy. However, the Core Strategy “Options for Growth” document is being produced in advance of this. Consequently the Council has decided to undertake a comparative assessment of the various options.

This assessment has been undertaken at a broad strategic level. It takes a ‘snapshot’ of locations and proposals and recognizes that further information including a Sustainability Appraisal is required before a sound judgment can be made as to the most appropriate option.

Each of the locations identified in the “Options for Growth” document has been assessed against the Core Strategy Strategic objectives:

SO1 To plan for climate change and work in harmony with the environment to conserve natural resources and increase biodiversity.

SO4 To protect and enhance Arun’s outstanding landscape, coastline and historic built environment so reinforcing local character and identity.

SO5 To reduce the need to travel and promote sustainable forms of transport.

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For each of the Strategic Objectives identified above a number of indicators have been identified which have been used to assess the potential locations included in the three options under consideration.

In addition, the locations have been assessed in terms of their conformity with policies in the draft South East Plan.

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North of Chalcraft Lane or N. W. Bognor Regis

Strategic Objectives Criteria Assessment SO1 To plan for Environmental designations Within 5km SPA Buffer Zone. climate change and within or adjacent to site/ work in harmony with area of search the environment to Presence of priority Very small section of Grazing Marsh in conserve natural habitats/ species the northern section of the site. resources and increase biodiversity Area of Flood Risk Zone 3 Small section of Flood Zone 3a tidal within site/ area of search climate change undefended (2106) to the eastern section of the site. Area of Flood Risk Zone 3 Flood zone 3a tidal climate change adjacent to site/ location undefended (2106) mainly to the north of the site. Within or adjacent to Air No. Quality Management Area Potential of the site for Not known at this time renewable energy Water supply status Not known at this time Sewage Treatment Works Development would drain to Ford waste capacity water treatment works. Development in this location would require the expansion of the works Previously developed land No Previously developed land within site/ area of search (definition of PDL in the footnote) Contaminated land within or Small area of potential contamination in close to the site/ area of the eastern area of the site search Grade 1/2 agricultural land Mostly Grade 2 with some Grade 1 to within site/ area of search the north.

SO2 To plan and Scale of development 2,500 homes deliver a range of proposed – housing housing types in Housing need within parish/ Bersted: 17 locations with good immediate area

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access to employment, Housing need within wider Bognor: 1524 services and facilities to urban area and/or Aldwick: 55 meet the District’s neighbouring settlements Pagham: 92 housing requirements Felpham: 160 and the needs of Arun’s Middleton-On-Sea: 84 residents and communities, ensuring that issues of affordability and the provision of appropriate levels of affordable housing are addressed

SO3 To strengthen Scale of development Potential for 50,000 sqm employment Arun’s economic base proposed – employment floorspace and provide local job opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships

SO4 To protect and Designated landscapes No designated landscape enhance Arun’s across or adjacent to site/ outstanding landscape, location coastline and historic Landscape capacity for Mainly high/medium and high capacity built environment so change for change reinforcing local Listed buildings/ ancient No Listed Buildings on site but 3 character and identity monuments within or adjacent: adjacent to the site/ location No Scheduled Ancient Monuments

SO5 To reduce the Proximity to railway station Approximately 2.5km to Bognor Regis need to travel and (distance in a straight line) railway station promote sustainable Potential road capacity Capacity issues on both A259 and forms of transport issues B2166 (to Chichester).

Also on A259 through Bognor Regis, although some traffic reduction would occur with completion of the Bognor Regis Relief Road.

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Proximity to existing Frequent bus service runs past north of frequent bus service (three the site on the A259. or more services an hour at peak times)

SO6 To create vibrant, Will contribute to retaining Not known at this time attractive, safe and character of higher order accessible town and centre village centres that build Proximity to higher order Arundel:12.1km upon their unique centre (distance in a straight characters to provide a line) Bognor Regis: 2.9km wide range of uses and which are a focus for Chichester: 6.8km quality shopping, entertainment, leisure Littlehampton: 11.3km and cultural activities Worthing: 23.7km

SO7 To promote Emergency Services Police: Response times would be good strong, well integrated response times due to proximity to stations. and cohesive communities, through Ambulance: Well resourced station in the promotion of healthy locality lifestyles, provision of Local facilities 0-400m from None good quality accessible centre of site community facilities and Local facilities 400-800m Community Centre a safe environment, from centre of site Petrol station and basic food shop which delivers an Bus Stop (700 route on the Chichester enhanced quality of life Road) to all Local facilities 800-1600m 2 places of Worship from centre of site 7 Bus stops 3 Post offices 1 Food shop 4 pharmacies 3 doctors surgeries 1 Youth centre 2 Infant Schools 2 Juniors Schools 1 Secondary School 1 Further Education Centre 1 Petrol Station 1 Bank 1 Community Hall

Conformity with Draft Does the site/ area of Location appears to conform fully with South East Plan search conform with South policies for the Sussex Coast sub- East Plan Policies region, in particular specific references

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to “sustainable urban extensions” in Policy SCT1 and Policy SCT5.

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North Littlehampton (Toddington Nurseries)

Strategic Objectives Criteria Assessment SO1 To plan for Environmental designations None climate change and within or adjacent to site/ work in harmony with area of search the environment to Presence of priority Grazing Marsh to the north of the site conserve natural habitats/ species resources and increase biodiversity Area of Flood Risk Zone 3 Flood zones 3a and 3b fluvial climate within site/ area of search change undefended (2106) and flood zones 3a and 3b tidal climate change undefended (2106) cover the northern and eastern section of the site as well as the central area. Area of Flood Risk Zone 3 Flood zones 3a and 3b fluvial climate adjacent to site/ location change undefended (2106) and Flood zones 3a and 3b tidal climate change undefended (2106) to the north, east and west of the site. Within or adjacent to Air No. Quality Management Area Potential of the site for Not known at this time renewable energy Water supply status Not known at this time Sewage Treatment Works Development would drain to Ford Waste capacity Water Treatment Works. Development in this location would require the expansion of the works Previously developed land Mixture of PDL and non PDL in terms of within site/ area of search the definitions used in Planning Policy (definition of PDL in the Statement 3: Housing footnote) Contaminated land within or Potential contamination close to the site/area of search Grade 1/2 agricultural land Mixture of Grade 1, 2 and 3. within site/ area of search

SO2 To plan and Scale of development 1,500 homes deliver a range of proposed – housing housing types in Housing need within parish/ Littlehampton: 846 locations with good immediate area

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access to employment, Housing need within wider Rustington: 388 services and facilities to urban area and/or East Preston: 115 meet the District’s neighbouring settlements housing requirements and the needs of Arun’s residents and communities, ensuring that issues of affordability and the provision of appropriate levels of affordable housing are addressed

SO3 To strengthen Scale of development Potential for 30,000 sqm employment Arun’s economic base proposed – employment floorspace and provide local job opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships

SO4 To protect and Designated landscapes No designated Landscape enhance Arun’s across or adjacent to site/ outstanding landscape, location coastline and historic Landscape capacity for High capacity for change built environment so change reinforcing local Listed buildings/ ancient Two Grade II Listed Buildings inside the character and identity monuments within or site and one Grade II building outside adjacent to the site/ location but adjoining.

Lyminster and Policy Conservation Areas close by

No Scheduled Ancient Monuments

SO5 To reduce the Proximity to railway station Approximately 2.1km to Littlehampton need to travel and (distance in a straight line) railway station. promote sustainable forms of transport Potential road capacity Capacity issues on A284 between issues Littlehampton and Lyminster and on A259. Development would also impact on the local road network.

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Proximity to existing This area is not currently served by a frequent bus service (three frequent bus service. or more services an hour at peak times)

SO6 To create vibrant, Will contribute to retaining Not known at this time attractive, safe and character of higher order accessible town and centre village centres that build Proximity to higher order Arundel: 3.5km upon their unique centres (distance in a characters to provide a straight line) Bognor Regis: 11.4km wide range of uses and which are a focus for Chichester: 17.0km quality shopping, entertainment, leisure Littlehampton: 2.1km and cultural activities Worthing: 11.7km

SO7 To promote Emergency Services Police: Response times would be good strong, well integrated response times due to proximity to stations and cohesive communities, through Ambulance: Well resourced station in the promotion of healthy locality lifestyles, provision of Local facilities 0-400m from No facilities good quality accessible centre of site community facilities and Local facilities 400-800m 1 Primary school a safe environment, from centre of site which delivers an Local facilities 800-1600m 1 Petrol station enhanced quality of life from centre of site 3 Churches to all 3 Food shops 5 Infant schools 1 Pharmacy 2 Community halls 1 Post Office 1 Junior school 1 Secondary School 1 Education Centre 1 Petrol Station

Conformity with Draft Does the site/ area of Location appears to conform fully with South East Plan search conform with South policies for the Sussex Coast sub- East Plan policies region, in particular specific references to “sustainable urban extensions” in Policy SCT1 and Policy SCT5.

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North Littlehampton (Courtwick)

Strategic Objectives Criteria Assessment SO1 To plan for Environmental designations None climate change and within or adjacent to site/ work in harmony with area of search the environment to Presence of priority Very small area of flood zone3a and 3b conserve natural habitats/ species fluvial climate change undefended resources and increase (2106) and flood zone3a and 3b tidal biodiversity climate change undefended (2106) within the western boundary. Area of Flood Risk Zone 3 Flood zones 3a and 3b fluvial climate within site/ area of search change undefended (2106) and flood zone3a and 3b tidal climate change undefended (2106) to the west and north of the site. Area of Flood Risk Zone 3 adjacent to site/ location Within or adjacent to Air No. Quality Management Area Potential of the site for Not known at this time renewable energy Water supply status Not known at this time Sewage Treatment Works Development would drain to Ford Waste capacity Water Treatment Works. Development in this location would require the expansion of the works Previously developed land No previously developed land within site/ area of search (definition of PDL in the footnote) Contaminated land within or 1 area of contamination at the north of close to the site/ area of the site search Grade 1/2 agricultural land Mostly grade 2 with some grade 1 and 3 within site/ area of search

SO2 To plan and Scale of development 500 homes deliver a range of proposed – housing housing types in Housing need within parish/ Littlehampton:846 locations with good immediate area

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SO3 To strengthen Scale of development Potential for 10,000 sqm employment Arun’s economic base proposed – employment floorspace and provide local job opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships

SO4 To protect and Designated landscapes No designated Landscape enhance Arun’s across or adjacent to site/ outstanding landscape, location coastline and historic Landscape capacity for Low/Medium capacity for change built environment so change reinforcing local Listed buildings/ ancient 2 Grade II within the site and 1 Grade II character and identity monuments within or outside, but adjoining the site. adjacent to the site/ location 8 Grade II outside, but setting possibly affected by development.

Lyminster conservation area

No Scheduled Ancient Monuments

SO5 To reduce the Proximity to railway station Approximately 1.7km to Littlehampton need to travel and (distance in a straight line) railway station promote sustainable Potential road capacity Capacity issues on A284 between forms of transport issues Littlehampton and Lyminster and on A259. Development would also impact on the local road network.

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Proximity to existing This area is not served by a frequent frequent bus service (three bus service. or more services an hour at peak times)

SO6 To create vibrant, Will contribute to retaining Not known at this time attractive, safe and character of higher order accessible town and centre village centres that build Proximity to higher order Bognor Regis: 9.4km upon their unique centres (distance in a characters to provide a straight line) Chichester: 15.7km wide range of uses and which are a focus for Littlehampton:1.9km quality shopping, entertainment, leisure Worthing: 13.3km and cultural activities

SO7 To promote Emergency Services Not known at this time strong, well integrated response times and cohesive Local facilities 0-400m from No facilities communities, through centre of site the promotion of healthy Local facilities 400-800m 1 Food store lifestyles, provision of from centre of site good quality accessible Local facilities 800-1600m 2 Food stores community facilities and from centre of site 1 GP surgery a safe environment, 4/5 Community halls which delivers an enhanced quality of life 4 Bus Stops to all 1 Petrol Station 3 Infant Schools 1 junior School 1 Pharmacy 1 Post Office 2 Places of Worship

Conformity with Draft Does the site/ area of Location appears to conform fully with South East Plan search conform with the policies for the Sussex Coast sub- South East Plan policies region, in particular specific references to “sustainable urban extensions” in Policy SCT1 and Policy SCT5.

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Barnham / Eastergate / Westergate Area

Strategic Objectives Criteria Assessment SO1 To plan for Environmental designations None climate change and within or adjacent to site/ work in harmony with area of search the environment to Presence of priority Information not yet known conserve natural habitats/ species resources and increase biodiversity Area of Flood Risk Zone 3 Various areas of flood zone 3a and 3b within site/ area of search fluvial climate change undefended (2106) and flood zone 3a tidal climate change undefended (2106) Area of Flood Risk Zone 3 Various areas of flood zone 3a and 3b adjacent to site/ location fluvial climate change undefended (2106) and flood zone 3a tidal climate change undefended (2106) Within or adjacent to Air No. Quality Management Area Potential of the site for Not known at this time renewable energy Water supply status Not known at this time Sewage Treatment Works Not known at this time capacity Previously developed land Not known as no specific sites have within site/ area of search been identified (definition of PDL in the footnote) Contaminated land within or Not known as no specific sites have close to the site/ area of been identified search Grade 1/2 agricultural land Mixture of Grades 1, 2, and 3 within site/ area of search

SO2 To plan and Scale of development 2500 homes deliver a range of proposed – housing housing types in Housing need within parish/ Barnham:92 locations with good immediate area Eastergate:22 access to employment, Westergate:9

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services and facilities to Housing need within wider Aldingbourne: 21 meet the District’s urban area and/or Fontwell: 1 housing requirements neighbouring settlements Yapton: 61 and the needs of Arun’s residents and communities, ensuring that issues of affordability and the provision of appropriate levels of affordable housing are addressed

SO3 To strengthen Scale of development 18,000sqm – 50,000sqm employment Arun’s economic base proposed – employment floorspace and provide local job opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships

SO4 To protect and Designated landscapes No designated landscapes enhance Arun’s across or adjacent to site/ outstanding landscape, location coastline and historic Landscape capacity for Mixture of Low, Low/Medium, Medium, built environment so change Medium/High reinforcing local Listed buildings/ ancient One grade II* and thirty-one Grade II character and identity monuments within or with in the site and one grade II outside, adjacent to the site/ location but adjoining

Three Conservation Areas in locality:

- Eastergate (Church Lane), - Eastergate (Eastergate Square) - Barnham (Church Lane)

No Scheduled Ancient Monuments

SO5 To reduce the Proximity to railway station Between 518m to 2.5km to Barnham (distance in a straight line) Station (Approximate)

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need to travel and Potential road capacity Congestion issues relating to the promote sustainable issues junctions on the A27, the A29 between forms of transport Westergate and Eastergate, and the B2233 through the villages. Development would also have an impact on the local road network.

Proximity to existing This area is not currently served by a frequent bus service (three frequent bus service. or more services an hour at peak times)

SO6 To create vibrant, Will contribute to retaining This information is not known at this attractive, safe and character of higher order time accessible town and centre village centres that build Proximity to higher order Arundel: 6.7-8.9km upon their unique centres (distance in a characters to provide a straight line) Bognor Regis: 5.7-6.0 km wide range of uses and which are a focus for Chichester: 7.4-9.8km quality shopping, entertainment, leisure Littlehampton: 7.3-9.7km and cultural activities Worthing: 19-21km

SO7 To promote Emergency Services Police: Response times would be poor strong, well integrated response times and cohesive communities, through Ambulance: Westergate is currently the promotion of healthy outside of the 8 minute performance lifestyles, provision of target. Eastergate and Barnham are not good quality accessible very accessible locations community facilities and Local facilities 0-400m from 1 Pharmacy a safe environment, centre of site (based on 2 Food Stores which delivers an station as centre point) 1 Train Station enhanced quality of life 1 Post Office to all Local facilities 400-800m 1 Primary School 1 Secondary School Local facilities 800-1600m 1 Place of Worship

Conformity with the Does the site/ area of No specific references to major Draft South East Plan search conform with South expansion of villages in polices for East Plan policies Sussex Coast or elsewhere in South East Plan. Policy BE5 states that LPAs should meet the defined local needs of rural communities for small scale affordable housing, business and service development.

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Angmering Area

Strategic Objectives Criteria Assessment SO1 To plan for Environmental designations None climate change and within or adjacent to site/ work in harmony with area of search the environment to Presence of priority Information is not yet known conserve natural habitats/ species resources and increase biodiversity Area of Flood Risk Zone 3 Small area of flood zone 3a and 3b within site/ area of search fluvial climate change undefended (2106) running on a west-east basis through the eastern edge of the village. Area of Flood Risk Zone 3 Small area of flood zone 3a and 3b adjacent to site/ location fluvial climate change undefended (2106) running on a west-east basis through the eastern edge of the village. Within or adjacent to Air No. Quality Management Area Potential of the site for Not known at this time renewable energy Water supply status Not known at this time Sewage Treatment Works Not known at this time capacity Previously developed land Some PDL to the south of the site within site/ area of search (South of the Bramley Green (definition of PDL in the development). The remainder is footnote) Greenfield Contaminated land within or Not known at this time close to the site/ area of search Grade 1/2 agricultural land Grade1 within site/ area of search

SO2 To plan and Scale of development 500 homes (option 1) deliver a range of proposed – housing 1,500 homes (option 3) housing types in Housing need within parish/ Angmering: 93 locations with good immediate area

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access to employment, Housing need within wider Angmering: 93 services and facilities to urban area and/or meet the District’s neighbouring settlements housing requirements and the needs of Arun’s residents and communities, ensuring that issues of affordability and the provision of appropriate levels of affordable housing are addressed

SO3 To strengthen Scale of development Potential for 10,000sqm – 30,000sqm Arun’s economic base proposed – employment employment floorspace and provide local job opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships

SO4 To protect and Designated landscapes No designated landscape within site but enhance Arun’s across or adjacent to site/ proposed National Park to the outstanding landscape, location east/north east coastline and historic Landscape capacity for Mixture of Low and Low/Medium built environment so change reinforcing local Listed buildings/ ancient Three Grade II Listed buildings within character and identity monuments within or the site and three Grade II outside, but adjacent to the site/ location adjoining

Angmering Conservation Area

No Scheduled Ancient Monuments

SO5 To reduce the Proximity to railway station Average of 1.5km need to travel and (distance in a straight line) promote sustainable Potential road capacity Likely congestion issues on the forms of transport issues junctions with the A259. Capacity issues relating to the A259 (south of Angmering) and A27 (north of Angmering) and A280.

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Proximity to existing This area is not currently served by a frequent bus service (three frequent bus service. or more services an hour at peak times)

SO6 To create vibrant, Will contribute to retaining This information is not known at this attractive, safe and character of higher order time accessible town and centre village centres that build Proximity to higher order Bognor Regis: 14.5km upon their unique centres (distance) characters to provide a Chichester: 21.6km wide range of uses and which are a focus for Littlehampton: 5.3km quality shopping, entertainment, leisure Worthing: 7.4km and cultural activities

SO7 To promote Emergency Services This information is not known at this strong, well integrated response times time and cohesive Local facilities 0-400m from No facilities communities, through centre of site the promotion of healthy Local facilities 400-800m 1 Secondary School lifestyles, provision of Local facilities 800-1600m 2 Pharmacies good quality accessible 1 food Store community facilities and 1 Infant School a safe environment, 2 Primary Schools which delivers an 1 Junior School enhanced quality of life 1 Doctors Surgery to all 1 Place of Worship 1 Food Store 1 Post Office 1 Community Hall

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Ford / Yapton / Climping Area Strategic Objectives Criteria Assessment SO1 To plan for Environmental designations None climate change and within or adjacent to site/ work in harmony with area of search the environment to Presence of priority Grazing Marsh to north and east of site conserve natural habitats/ species resources and increase biodiversity Area of Flood Risk Zone 3 Flood zone 3a and 3b fluvial climate within site/ area of search change undefended (2106) and flood zone 3a and 3b tidal climate change undefended (2106) to the northern, eastern and southern parts of the site. Area of Flood Risk Zone 3 Various areas of flood zone 3a and 3b adjacent to site/ location fluvial climate change undefended (2106) and flood zone 3a and 3b tidal climate change undefended (2106) around the site. Within or adjacent to Air No. Quality Management Area Potential of the site for Not known at this time renewable energy Water supply status Not known at this time Sewage Treatment Works Development would drain to Ford waste capacity water treatment works. Development in this location would require the expansion of the works Previously developed land Using the definitions in PPS3 30% of the within site/ area of search site is brownfield. However, the amount of (definition of PDL in the land covered by runway is closer to 2.2%. footnote) Contaminated land within or Two areas of potential contamination close to the site/ area of within the site and 1 area adjacent search Grade 1/2 agricultural land Mostly grade 1, with some grades 2 and 3 within site/ area of search

SO2 To plan and Scale of development 5,000 homes deliver a range of proposed – housing housing types in Housing need within parish/ Yapton: 61 locations with good immediate area Ford: 1

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access to employment, Housing need within wider Barnham: 92 services and facilities to urban area and/or Littlehampton: 846 meet the District’s neighbouring settlements Arundel: 102 housing requirements and the needs of Arun’s residents and communities, ensuring that issues of affordability and the provision of appropriate levels of affordable housing are addressed

SO3 To strengthen Scale of development Potential for 100,000sqm employment Arun’s economic base proposed – employment floorspace and provide local job opportunities by increasing, diversifying and improving the quality of employment within the District through the provision of appropriate employment sites, quality affordable accommodation and the development of business support and partnerships

SO4 To protect and Designated landscapes No designated landscape enhance Arun’s across or adjacent to site/ outstanding landscape, location coastline and historic Landscape capacity for Mainly Low / Medium with some small built environment so change areas of Negligible / low, Low and reinforcing local Negligible capacity for change character and identity Listed buildings/ ancient Two Grade II Listed Buildings within the monuments within or site. Two Grade I and six Grade II outside adjacent to the site/ location but adjoining

Two Conservation Areas:

- Yapton (Church Lane and Main Road/Church Road) - Conservation area.

One Scheduled Ancient Monument (number 424) - Medieval earth works east and south-east of Saint Mary’s Church, Climping.

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SO5 To reduce the Proximity to railway station Approximately 1.4km to existing station need to travel and (distance in a straight line) promote sustainable Potential road capacity Potential capacity issues on the A27 at forms of transport issues Arundel, A259 (north of Middleton and West of Littlehampton) and the Bognor Regis Relief Road.

Potential congestion problems on the B2132 to A27, Ford Lane, Ford Road and the adjacent road network.

Proximity to existing This area is not currently served by a frequent bus service (three frequent bus service. or more services an hour at peak times)

SO6 To create vibrant, Will contribute to retaining This information is not known at this time attractive, safe and character of higher order accessible town and centre village centres that build Proximity to higher order Arundel: 4km upon their unique centres (distance in a characters to provide a straight line) Bognor Regis:7.5 km wide range of uses and which are a focus for Chichester: 13.5km quality shopping, entertainment, leisure Littlehampton: 4km and cultural activities Worthing: 15.7km

SO7 To promote Emergency Services Police: Response times would be longer. strong, well integrated response times and cohesive Ambulance: Some distance from communities, through Littlehampton the promotion of healthy Local facilities 0-400m from No facilities lifestyles, provision of centre of site good quality accessible Local facilities 400-800m No facilities community facilities and Local facilities 800-1600m 3 Churches a safe environment, 1 pharmacy which delivers an 2 GP surgeries enhanced quality of life 2 Community Halls to all 1 Post Office 2 Food Stores

Conformity with the Does the site/ area of Policies for Sussex Coast sub-region Draft South East Plan search conform with South contain no references to new settlements East Plan policies or strategic development in this location. Policy H2 states that there is a need to test the longer term issues that arise from the eco-town proposals through the next review of the RSS.

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Footnotes

1) Flooding - Information sourced from the Council’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

2) Previously developed land is defined as

‘that which is or was occupied by a permanent structure, including the curtilage of the developed land and any associated fixed surface infrastructure.’

The definition includes defence buildings, but excludes:

– Land that is or has been occupied by agricultural or forestry buildings.

– Land that has been developed for minerals extraction or waste disposal by landfill purposes where provision for restoration has been made through development control procedures.

– Land in built-up areas such as parks, recreation grounds and allotments, which, although it may feature paths, pavilions and other buildings, has not been previously developed.

– Land that was previously-developed but where the remains of the permanent structure or fixed surface structure have blended into the landscape in the process of time (to the extent that it can reasonably be considered as part of the natural surroundings).

There is no presumption that land that is previously-developed is necessarily suitable for housing development nor that the whole of the curtilage should be developed. Source: Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing

3) Scale of employment development proposed has been calculated using a standard formula of 20 sq.m floorspace per dwelling.

4) Designated landscapes include Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

5) Information regarding landscape capacity for change is provided by a study commissioned by the council. This study is titled “Landscape and Visual Amenity Aspects of Development Choices in Arun District 2006”.

6) Proximity to railway station - The figure is measured in a straight line from the centre of the site or area of search to the closest station.

8) Potential Road Capacity Issues – This information is sourced from a Council Study titled “Arun District Strategic Transport Study”, which was produced in 2006.

8) Emergency services response times - The information is based on discussions with statutory consultees in 2007

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9) Proximity to higher order centre - The figure is measured in a straight line from the centre of the site or area of search to the centre of the settlement

9) Local facilities - The measurement is calculated as distance from the centre of the site or area of search.

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