Harbour and housing issues prompt new political party
Former county council leader among founders of new group
Anewpoliticalpartyhaslaunched promisingan‘independentvoice’ for Chichester and its harbour.
The scale of development proposed in the area, coupled with the lack of infrastructure in key areas such as roads and wastewater, has been a common concern raised repeatedly by residents and various organisations.
And this week a new political party, Chichester and Harbour Independents (CHI), was launched.
Among its founders were Louise Goldsmith, previously leader of West Sussex County Council, Martyn Bell and Chris Page, who are both Chichester district councillors, alongside Mike Dicker, a parish councillor for East Wittering and Bracklesham Bay and Greg Fielder, who recently stood as an independent at the recent West Sussex County Council election.
They believe the many concerns voiced by the Chichester and harbour communities are ‘simply not beingheardbythemajorparties’.
Aspokesmansaid:“Residents aredesperatelyworriedaboutthe numberofhomesbeingimposed bythecentralgovernmentonthis unique area.
“Theveryfabricofourfamous historic city and the iconic Chichester Harbour are under threat and the area will change tobecomeunrecognisableinthe future.”
The group went on to say that despite accepted inadequacies of the sewage system, major and local roads and damage to the harbour’s unique environment, planning applications are still being submitted.
CHI stands for: a halt on new housebuilding in the area, ensuringvoicesinthecommunity are heard through greater engagement, improvements to the environment, careful management of taxpayers’ money, protection of our rich localheritage,effectiveadequate sewage and drainage systems, a permanent solution to the chaos ontheA27aswellasbetterroads, walkingandcycleinfrastructure.
Responding to the group’s assertion that major parties werenotlisteningtocommunity concerns,AdrianMoss,LibDem leader at Chichester District Council, said his group had ‘worked tirelessly to oppose the policy drift and environmental destructionraisedbythisgroup’.
“Weareproudofourrecordof listeningtoresidentsandfighting on their behalf,” he added.