Chichester District Council has approved the Southbourne Allocation Development Plan Document for the next stage of public consultation, which will begin on Friday, 5 June 2026 and run until Friday, 17 July 2026.
The document sets out where future housing development in Southbourne is proposed and explains how new homes would be supported by community facilities and infrastructure. It has been prepared to support the council’s Chichester Local Plan 2021-2039, which identifies Southbourne as a strategic growth area and broadly allows for up to 800 additional homes.
The consultation is a Regulation 19 consultation, meaning it is the final public consultation stage before the document is submitted for independent examination by the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Government. Residents and other interested parties are being asked to comment on two specific tests: whether the plan meets legal requirements, and whether it has been positively prepared, justified, effective, and consistent with national policy.
Previous rounds of consultation have helped shape the document, including the chosen site allocation for development within Southbourne parish. The plan also identifies the main planning issues that will influence development, including infrastructure provision, housing, transport, landscape, and environmental impacts.
Cllr Bill Brisbane, cabinet member for planning, said the document is intended to support a thriving and sustainable community for Southbourne now and in the future. He said the plan aims to provide more detail on where development should take place, together with the infrastructure and community facilities needed to support both existing and new residents.
The council also says the plan seeks to deliver energy-efficient homes that meet local needs, including affordable housing, while respecting Southbourne’s character, heritage, and surrounding landscape. Other priorities include encouraging active, sustainable travel, improving biodiversity, and helping people stay connected to nature.
Once the consultation closes on 17 July 2026, all comments will be reviewed and then submitted with the document for examination. If adopted, the Southbourne Allocation Development Plan Document will become part of the statutory development plan and will be an important factor in future planning decisions. People can view the document and submit comments via the council’s current planning policy consultation page from 5 June 2026.
© 2026 UK Property Forums. All rights reserved.
This article and its contents are the intellectual property of UK Property Forums and may not be reproduced, distributed, or used in any form without prior written permission. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not constitute legal or professional advice.
