©2003

National Organisation of Residents Associations

Chairman: John Herniman        email: john@dherniman.freeserve.co.uk

CHICHESTER

Chichester is a beautiful English walled city, divided by its basic Roman street plan into 4 central segments [pop. 15,000]. At its centre stands "The Cross", a medieval stone market shelter for the traders built by the Bishop. From this radiate four arms, wide paved streets now partly pedestrianised, lined with many gracious Georgian buildings converted to shops. The SW sector is dominated by the originally Norman cathedral with free-standing campanile and lofty spire, rebuilt in 1856 after its collapse, and by the precincts and the Bishop's Garden [now public]. The SE sector contains the Pallants, another narrower heritage criss-cross of Georgian and Queen Anne town residences, unspoilt by shop conversion and serving as private accommodation or offices. Here a new and unwelcome intrusion is the replacement of an older building by a proposed modern blind warehouse type extension to the Pallant House Gallery of modern art. Here is also the District Council and the old Corn Market now a MacDonald's. The County Council owns the Georgian "Eades House" in the NW sector, a distinguished approach to a huge complex of modern administrative buildings behind, with a ramshackle fringe of huts and shelters. The NE sector holds Priory Park, with Franciscan chapel and remains of motte and bailey on the edge of the cricket and bowling pitches. The site of the Victorian Shippams potted meat factory has been acquired by Sainsbury's whose developers have adopted a policy of sympathetic consultation with Residents. The rest of the inner City is a narrow intriguing complex of medieval fragments and later infilling of 18th c. gardens surrounded by the medieval wall on Roman foundations with its almost continuous circular walk. Around all this lie the modern suburbs with the major part of the population. The southern extension is sliced from east to west by the South Coast railway and the parallel M27.

PROBLEMS Communication Chaos There is peak hour blockage on parts of the old road system in the City centre and a proliferation of traffic signs, street bollards and special crossings. Counter measures include traffic calming, blanket parking regulations, decreasing parking facility to exclude the private car and much talk of park-and-ride. At the same time the recent W Sussex Structure Plan, still under debate, envisages the building of possibly over 7000 new houses on "green" or "brownfield" sites in the neighbourhood. Thus more houses would seem to mean worse communication. The Plan has no reference to details such as the needs of the infrastructure, new schools, hospital requirements, etc. The E/W A27[M27] with 5 complex roundabouts is also subject to regular blockage with competing N/S traffic. Improvements are suggested by government agencies but the necessary co-ordination with funding and with the development proposed by the Structure Plan look remote. There would seem to be no winners here. Planning problems The report by the Inspector on the Draft County Structure Plan suggests that the future planning of housing should here be left to the District Council. This compounds what is already a local problem. The District is a large area stretching from Petworth in the north to Selsey on the coast. The District Plan is a huge comprehensive document but has no special focus on Chichester. There is a Conservation Area, two zones for light industry and two other spaces designated as possible Park-and-Ride areas. Planning within this area is subject to comment by a special committee of residents with expertise but this advice is often disregarded. Much important planning is delegated to officers. The City and suburbs are regulated by a policy of "Mixed Development". So developers pick off prime sites as properties change hands and it is their plans, which ultimately prevail with no special regard for general amenity, infrastructure or heritage. Civic Planners seem little more than negotiators. The Shippams site mentioned above is a noteable exception. The City [i.e."Town"] Council has a ceremonial civic function but few powers. However it is supported by the Residents' Associations of CRACG and the old established Chichester Society in calling for a "Vision for Chichester", a special Town/City Plan. The professional planners are not in favour. The Environment Chichester is also a victim of the common features of urban decay, some litter strewn areas, graffiti, uneven pavements many pock-marked with chewing gum, street clutter of A-boards and directional signs, cyclists using the pavements, fly-posting etc., all largely overlooked by the Authorities. Permission is being sought for a new nightclub with only 11 parking slots to accommodate up to 1,250 patrons and staff in an area of high density. There is controversy between many residents, who are keen to see the areas of the proposed South Downs National Park extended as near as may be to the City, and the Local Authority, who see it as a loss of power. Conclusion Local interest in elections matches the poor national average. There seems to be a feeling that the traditional political framework with its structure of Members and Officers fails to reflect the hopes of Residents for an improved quality of life. This is expressed in various committees and in letters to the local paper. It is encapsulated in the citizens' desire for a "Vision for Chichester". CRACG would welcome information from other NORA members if they too have a Vision for their town or city, how they achieve it and if it has practical form in some kind of Plan.