Chichester District provides a unique and rich experience to those who choose to live here or visit our many attractions. From the “jewel in the crown” of a city centre, with its stunning cathedral; nationally recognised cultural offer; and thriving retail opportunities to the sweeping downs and breath-taking coastline. Visitors and residents alike benefit from the unique overtures of our district.

The Local Plan seeks to protect this environment and focuses on building upon the success we have experienced, ensuring that our communities are developed to retain local young people and deliver the facilities required to support both our existing and new communities as they grow. It is the elements we want to protect which constrain our ability to grow and develop. These often unique characteristics are an intrinsic element of our heritage and by protecting these we are ensuring that they will be enjoyed for many generations to come.

The Local Plan (formerly the Local Development Framework) is the document that sets out how we will shape future development in the District, excluding the area within the South Downs National Park, up to 2029.

It includes information on where development will go, contains policies against which planning applications will be assessed, and sets the overall development needs for the district by balancing the need to attract investment, with the protection of important nature designations, buildings and the wellbeing of local communities. It also contains housing targets and potential site allocations to deliver these targets

The Local Plan Key Policies Preferred Approach will shape the way we live in the district over the next fifteen years. We would like you to help with its creation. Consultation on the draft document will take place in the next few weeks. Further information will be provided on our website www.chichester.gov.uk nearer the time.

Key Dates

March – April 2013
•    Public consultation on the Local Plan Preferred Approach – Key Policies

October – November 2013
•    Public consultation on the Pre-Submission Local Plan

It is intended to submit the Local Plan to the Secretary of State in March 2014. This leads to the start of the public examination of the Local Plan. It is intended to adopt the Local Plan in October 2014.

For more information about the emerging Local Plan or to receive automatic notification of future consultations and planning policy documents, please visit our website www.chichester.gov.uk, email ldf@chichester.gov.uk or telephone 01243 534571.

Light lunch, refreshments and support are on offer for people with dementia and their carers in a pilot project for Chichester and North Bersted.

‘Our Café’ has been launched by Chichester Area MIND, supported by West Sussex County Council.

This is in response to the growing need for a service that caters specifically for people over 65-years-old with dementia and those who care for them, particularly those who have just been diagnosed and are unsure of their future.

County Council Deputy Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services Graham Tyler said: “The cafés provide a warm and caring environment where people with dementia and their carers can enjoy a light lunch and refreshments, and the opportunity to chat with and support other members of the group and take part in activities.”

The cafés also provide access to information about local services and other opportunities in the local community, with the aim of enabling people to regain their independence and improve their confidence.

They run every Monday at St George’s Church Hall, Cleveland Road, Chichester, and every Thursday at the Holy Cross Church, Chichester Road, North Bersted, from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.

If you are a carer for someone aged 65 and over who is coping with dementia, and would like to find out more about attending the café, or if you would like to support the café by becoming a volunteer, contact Project Organiser Linda Palmer on 07507 164859 during the café opening hours or Carol Crombie on 01243 787878.

The job title is: Foster Carer.

Put simply the County Council is asking people to look at the skills and qualities they have that could make them great modern foster carers.

This reflects the main message of Foster Care Fortnight earlier this year: ‘Do you have the skills to foster?’

But, West Sussex is so short of foster carers that the County Council is launching a major new recruitment campaign.

Foster care has changed dramatically over the last 30 years. Today fostering is a career – one that combines family life with a skilled profession.

Foster carers are needed throughout West Sussex to provide children with safe and caring homes while they are unable to live with their own families.

Children and young people come into care for a number of reasons.

It can be because their parents are experiencing difficulties or because a child has been neglected or abused. For some young people who have a disability the caring is shared with their parents to give them support.

The role of a foster carer is so important in helping these children feel safe, wanted, secure and settled when they are away from their family.

A foster carer can also help a child or young person to develop their skills and confidence, to rebuild their lives and fulfil their potential.

West Sussex County Council’s foster carers come from a wide variety of different backgrounds, ethnicity, ages and experience.

But what they do have in common is the patience, resilience, space, time, and energy to meet the needs of children in their care – be it for a few days, weeks, months or longer.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to foster and would like more information please call 01403 229333 or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/fostering
 
Knowing that you have helped change a child’s life for the better can be very rewarding.

Sidlesham Parish Council has a publication scheme that follows the statutory guidance. The majority of information is published on the website as minutes, agenda or notices; other information is available on request from the Clerk. If hard copy is required a charge of 10p per page may be made.

The network of footpaths throughout the AONB gives access to some of the finest views in the area. Old oak trees line sections of the shoreline framing the view with their boughs. In other areas there are panoramic views up to the South Downs and across to the Isle of Wight. Inland, the peaceful paths cross through fertile farmland and through picturesque villages. With the terrain being so flat, the paths are accessible for most people.

Where possible all the walks start and finish at bus stops to encourage the use of sustainable transport in the AONB. Twelve longer walks range in length from 4 – 10 miles. These include routes in West Wittering, Dell Quay, Fishbourne, Chidham and Emsworth. A selection of shorter walks are ideal for those with wheelchairs, pushchairs or for those who just want a short stroll to a viewpoint and picnic place.

Ali Beckett who wrote the book for Chichester Harbour Conservancy said ‘This selection of walks covers most parts of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Each one is a pleasure in its own right. I have tried to write it so it is almost impossible to get lost! For each walk there are clear and concise instructions. In addition photos are linked to points on a map to give added confidence that you are in the right place. I am indebted to a group of volunteers that have tried them all out.’

Production of the Walker’s Guide has been funded by the Friends of Chichester Harbour and the Chichester Harbour Sustainable Development Fund. The Walker’s Guide is on sale at: Harbour Office Itchenor, Chichester Tourist Office, Kim’s Bookshop Chichester, Bookends Emsworth, Russell’s Garden Centre Birdham, West Wittering Car Park and Four Seasons Country Store West Wittering for £4 a copy. For more information call 01243 512301.
Chichester Harbour Conservancy
Harbour Office
Itchenor
Chichester
PO20 7AW
T: 01243 512301
W: www.conservancy.co.uk
E: harbourmaster@conservancy.co.uk