A foolish idea

Then why not get in touch with us, now, and make a difference

The Harbour Club

In light of recent government announcements regarding biodiversity and the relaxation of planning laws, I have written this letter to our local MP and to other government officers.

I would like to share the content with you, as you may not be aware of the planning white paper that is being discussed this week in parliament.

It reads: “Nature England” describes the area where

I live, “The Manhood Peninsula,” thus:

“Tranquility is a scarce but greatly prized resource within this heavily urbanised NCA. Only seven per cent of area is classed as undisturbed, while 35 per cent of the area is classified as urban. Pockets of tranquility are associated with the central rural areas, the Manhood Peninsula and undeveloped harbours, including Chichester Harbour AONB.”

And also:

“The Manhood Peninsula is a small triangular peninsula south of Chichester and remote from the rest of the NCA. Its southern headland, Selsey Bill, is a prominent coastal deposition feature, which projects out into the Solent well beyond the line of the rest of the coast. It is one of the last, and largest, relatively undeveloped stretches of coastline between Newhaven and Southampton.”

And:

“Future management of this NCA requires balancing the needs of often competing interests. Protection against flooding remains a priority to encourage growth and allow internationally important habitats and species to flourish, while also maintaining the productive landscape and historic and geological features of the area.”

My two issues with the proposed changes are the conservation of biodiversity and the impact of overbuilding in a fragile and unique area.

Local councils have been asked to produce plans for their areas, and much thought, discussion and consideration has been given to these plans. The local councils have knowledge of the area, and of the needs of local people.

The European Environment Agency State of Nature Report 2020 chichester-priory.org.uk highlights this: “Participation and involvement of people is a key factor for the establishment and management of protected areas. But people are being ruled out in the governmentʼs new planning directive.”

Is the central government now to take away the rights of the local people? Will it override the voices of the inhabitants of each locality? Override the voices of those who know and understand the ecology of their locality? Just as the inhabitants of the rainforests of the world, those people who have cared for the forests for generations, have been ignored, invaded and often wiped out, so leading to the destruction of life, as we know it, through global warming and changing weather patterns, and now pandemics.

The Manhood Peninsula is a fragile area that truly belongs to the sea, channels of water ingressing far into this small area in several places.

The ecosystem is delicately balanced and much work has been done in an attempt to maintain that balance.

There are just two roads onto the peninsula from the major A27/M27, which dissects this southern area from the north and presents a challenge for daily commuters to Chichester, the local town and the main source of employment. However, just having two roads onto the peninsula is essential for maintaining the last vestiges of tranquillity already highlighted by Nature England, although they are now heavily overburdened with traffic, becoming gridlocked in the summer months when the population of the peninsula doubles.

The Manhood peninsula is recognised far and wide as a wonderful place to spend time in the summer, and tourists boost the economy when they can get here through the increasing traffic. The current increase in housing has already brought with it thousands of extra cars adding to pollution of the air and, in turn, the land and the sea.

The area to the north of the Manhood Peninsula has been fortunate enough to be declared an AONB and so it will escape destruction.

It is regretful, that in the past, the local people had not realised the importance of attaining the label AONB for the entire area. It is indeed unique, but now, because it has no label, people far away, with maps and computer generated housing targets, may, in their complete ignorance of each localityʼs needs and care, draw circles on their maps, then send in bricks and cement with few planning restrictions and no discussion with local people as to what is needed, and when to stop.

Other people and local councils will already have written to you, highlighting the fact that the area is already overburdened, that houses have already been built on flood plains – the recent development in Bell Lane has already experienced flooding issues. They will have told you that sewerage has been regularly pumped into Chichester Harbour, when the system couldnʼt cope with excess water and sewerage. You will also have been informed about lack of jobs in the area, lack of school places, and other amenities. If tourists cannot get here because of traffic and because of building on campsites and holiday villages, the local economy will suffer.

The recent pandemic has also highlighted the need to protect natural environments so that they are there for future generations.

We have been told that the changes to planning regulations is driven by economy, by the need to provide jobs and to keep industry operating.

These are the wrong reasons and the wrong way to care for the people and all that comprises our planet.

I ask you to ensure that the government re-think this hasty, foolish idea and seek advice from local people. If it goes ahead it will create vast problems for the future of us all.