Campaigners call for action to help limit Chichester Harbour nitrates

Campaigners have quizzed Chichester District Council on housebuilding following action taken by neighbouring councils in Hampshire over nitrate pollution.

Natural England is concerned about the effects of sewage from new developments on protected areas and a number of local authorities in Hampshire have suspended issuing planning permissions for new homes based on its recommendations.

Andrew Kerry-bedell, from Save Our Harbour Villages, posed a question to the council’s cabinet during public question time at its meeting last Tuesday.

He said: “Fifteen Hampshire councils have stopped giving planning permissions and halted new housebuilding until a mechanism to deliver nitrate-neutral developments The land around Chichester Harbour has been designated a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone

is agreed. Why hasn’t Chichester District Council done the same?”

New housing contributes nitrates to the water through sewage and Natural England is concerned high levels of

extra human pollution are affecting protected sites in the Solent area.

Councillor Susan Taylor responded: “Officers receive formal consultation advice from Natural England, where

relevant, when considering planning applications for new housing developments.

“Whilst Natural England has not so far raised this as an issue for Chichester District Council in determining planning applications, officers are aware of this important matter and are currently working with Natural England and others to identify appropriate measures to mitigate the impact of nitrates on the designated special protection area of Chichester Harbour arising from new housing in the Chichester Local Plan area, should it prove necessary.”

Hampshire councils are currently working to find practical solutions to meeting the nitrate-neutral target and residents in Chichester feel the same consideration should be given in the area around Chichester Harbour.

Mr Kerry-bedell said: “Chichester Harbour is also classed as a highly-sensitive Nitrate Vulnerable Zone. These nitrates are what causes the huge areas of algae and weed we see in spring and summer, creating a hazard to other wildlife and costing a lot of money for boat owners in cleaning and antifouling.”