Illegal dumping of sewage unacceptable
Chichester is lucky in its position, nestled between the beautiful South Downs and our stunning harbour. Many make their lives around the harbour, and it draws thousands of visitors from across the country each year.
However, no one can deny we face a significant challenge in dealing with the problem of sewage. Prior to the Conservatives coming to power in 2010 outflows were almost completely unmonitored thanks to successive governments’ inaction meaning no one had any idea of the scale of the damage to our environment.
I have always been clear: the illegal dumping of sewage in our harbour and waterways is unacceptable. I have taken constructive action to stop the spills, including founding our regional water forum with my MP colleagues Penny
Mordaunt and Alan Mak to increase transparency, campaigning for UV treatment of waste at Thornham, and pushing for improved monitoring and more accountability for water companies.
The Government is also working hard to hold those responsible to account. This week we announced a ban on bonuses for water bosses if their firms do not act strongly enough against pollution. I am determined companies who criminally pollute Chichester Harbour and the waters around the Manhood Peninsular should not be rewarding those at the top with big bonuses. This comes on top of measures announced last year to remove the limits on fines for polluters.
A key contributing factor to water pollution locally is unregulated housing development. I hear weekly from people who are extremely worried about this, most recently from residents of Birdham who I have worked with closely to oppose an application for 150 new homes. Following a long campaign, the community has sadly been unsuccessful in its fight to oppose the developer’s plans due in large part to the absence of a local plan for Chichester District that would regulate house building to sustainable levels in suitable places. I have intervened on several occasions to smooth the way for a new local plan to be submitted by Chichester District Council and am deeply concerned at the further delays into the New Year. I share the fears of residents in places like Birdham this will only put more of our communities and the environment at risk from speculative development of housing in unsuitable areas along our wonderful coastline.