A county councillor is urging residents to object to plans for up to 100 homes near Chichester which he said could be the ‘beginning of the end for the future of our historic city’.
Mike Hall, representing Chichester North, said the time has come to stand up and say no to Taylor Wimpey’s plans for the site known as the Daffodil Fields, between Summersdale and Lavant.
The deadline to submit objections or letters of support to Chichester District Council is September 24.
“Will this application be the beginning of the end for the future of our historic city and the heritage setting that makes it special and distinctive, particularly when viewed from the nearby South Downs National Park?” Cllr Hall said.
“This green space has a fundamental importance as a transition area between the Downs and the city, and protects the coalescence between rural communities and the city.
“This application and the upcoming consultation on the 2,000 homes plus industrial units west of the built-up area of Westhampnett will devalue the city’s recognition as a national treasure and may well undermine the fragile local economy.”
Cllr Hall said he has been unfairly labelled an objector to all new development but said nothing could be further from the truth.
A Taylor Wimpey Southern Counties spokesman said: “As a community-oriented house builder, we pride ourselves on building desirable homes for local people and we believe our proposed development in Chichester will address the clear need for quality new homes in the area.
“Following a full landscape assessment, the development was carefully designed not to impact on the national park and our proposed financial contributions will help improve the infrastructure in the area surrounding the site, for the benefit of local residents.”
To comment on the plans, either to object or support them, write to the district council planning officers by September 24, quoting the planning application reference number LV12/03178/OUT.