Chichester District Council has now adopted the Chichester Local Plan 2021–2039, setting out how the district (outside of the South Downs National Park) will grow and change over the next 14 years.
The plan covers where new homes and jobs will go, how transport and infrastructure will be managed, and how the area’s environment, heritage and communities will be protected. Following independent examination, the Planning Inspectors confirmed that the Council must meet the Government’s full housing need for the area (638 homes a year) with most growth focused on Chichester and the east/west corridor.
The Local Plan also includes policies on design, climate change, water neutrality, and the use of brownfield land where possible, with the Southern Gateway identified as a key redevelopment opportunity.
For landowners, developers and communities, the adoption of the plan provides much-needed certainty. It is now the main document against which planning applications will be judged, and it will guide decision-making going forward.
At Squires Planning, we are already advising clients on how to make the most of the opportunities the Local Plan creates. Whether you are promoting land, preparing a planning application, or shaping a neighbourhood plan, early engagement with the new policies is essential.
If you have land or a project in Chichester District and want to understand what the new Local Plan means for you, get in touch with our team today. Email
