Will settlement find halt work on 1,300 homes?
Residents have asked if the discovery of Roman settlement will halt work to build 1,300 homes in Tangmere.
Despite the announcement last Wednesday (March 27) of the major find on 14 acres of development land in Tangmere, there is still no official word on what impact it will have on the timetable of the major housing and community development.
The fascinating discovery left residents wondering if a new plan could be possible.
Chichester Observer reader Steve Cox wrote: “Great news, let's hope they find a great mosaic floor and Roman baths. No new housing just a great new tourist attraction.”
Michael Gardiner agreed. He wrote: “Would be nice to add more history and visitors to Tangmere rather than more flat pack houses. Hope it turns out to be a big find.”
The University of College of London’s (UCL) Archaeology South-east team will be undertaking archaeological excavations across 14 hectares of the site.
There are plenty of people pleased the discovery will pause the housing works – for now, at least.
Louise Rooks wrote: “We live on Copse Farm and so pleased with the find means a few more years without building more houses.”
Annette Smith asked: “Does that mean no housing development?”
Margaret Flint wrote: “Such good news. I hope this stops the build.”
This newspaper has asked the project team how the discovery will impact the housing plans, i.e. how will it affect the timetable for building and will plans have to change to preserve the finds.
*Chichester District Council has had to use Compulsory Purchase powers twice to help progress the Tangmere development plans.
A Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) was made in November 2020 to acquire land from various owners in what was identified as a strategic development location. This was approved by a planning inspector in December 2021, subject to some small modifications after an inquiry was held.
But a second order became necessary after National Highways told the council a small section of land at the Temple Bar Interchange, where the A285 meets the A27, had been missed as it had been incorrectly listed as adopted highway.
A public inquiry into the second CPO was held in December.
Outline permission for the overall development was granted by CDC back in March 2021 as the site had been allocated in the 2015 local plan.