The Valley Diary - May 2025

28

April 2025

Please see file attached.

Chichester District Council - District Dispatch

District Dispatch

24

April 2025

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been pleased to see so many people having their say about our exciting plans to upgrade and enhance the council’s play areas in Chichester.

We know that outside play areas are vital for helping our children develop physically, socially, creatively and emotionally, and so it’s important that they are in top condition.

Recently, our play areas at Parklands; Whyke Oval; the Amphitheatre; Priory Park; Florence Park; and Oaklands Park, have started to look a bit tired, and so we have been working on a major £800,000 project to refurbish and upgrade them.

Last summer, our Green Spaces team visited each site to consult with children, parents, and carers about how they use the play equipment and to find out what improvements they wanted to see. As part of this, users of Florence Park told us the equipment was largely in good condition and that it only needed a ‘light touch’ refurbishment, and so work got underway earlier this spring. I’m now pleased to say that the refurbished play area is open for children to enjoy.

In the other play areas, we gathered people’s suggestions for improvements and used these to help shape our designs for the refurbishments. Throughout March, we asked people to view and comment on the final plans as part of our ‘Let’s Talk: Play Areas’ consultation.

867 people visited the consultation, with 529 completing the survey — some of these responses represented groups or organisations. The response has been really positive with the vast majority in favour of the proposals put forward. We also received some really useful comments, and our officers have been refining a few elements of the designs to take account of these. As a result, I’m pleased to say that we’ll soon be ready to start work on the refurbishments. Work will be delivered using a phased approach so that at least two play areas will always be open, and it’s hoped that the project will be completed by the end of August.

Once refurbished, the new and improved play areas will offer an experience for a range of ages and abilities, including the opportunity to learn, interact, imagine and play together. It’s really important to us that all of the sites are open and accessible to everyone, and so our plans feature a range of inclusive play equipment. To help with this, we have worked closely with a local children’s charity, Parents and Carers Support Organisation (PACSO), and incorporated their feedback into the designs.

If you took part in the consultation, you will have noticed that our plans also include enhancing Oaklands Park so that it becomes a flagship ‘destination’ play area! To help deliver this particular part of the project, we are working in partnership with Chichester City Council.

Usually larger than an average play park, a destination play area offers a unique, engaging and exciting experience for all, with a wide range of creative play equipment to entertain people for a longer period of time. This type of play area serves as a ‘day out’ for local residents as well as visitors from further afield who will travel for the bespoke experience. We believe our plans for Oaklands Park will benefit our local communities, while also acting as an attractive draw to the city for those outside the area, which will help to support the local economy.

To keep updated on this project, you can visit: www.chichester.gov.uk/latestnews; follow us on social media; or sign up to our email newsletter: www.chichester.gov.uk/newsalerts.

Our 12-strong Green Spaces team cares for and manages a range of parks; gardens; ponds; sports pitches; play areas; local nature reserves; and open spaces. To find out more, please visit: www.chichester.gov.uk/parksandgardens

Best Wishes

Cllr Mark Chilton

Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate Services and Chichester Contract Services at Chichester District Council

Road Closure Notification - A286 From Junction With Cobblers Row, Singleton To Junction With Bell Lane, Cocking, 06/05/2025 - 10/05/2025 South Chichester/North Chichester

22

April 2025

Road Name	Location	Date (from and to)	Timing of Closure (eg, 24hr, off peak 09:30 to 16:00, Night 08:00 to 06:00)
A286 COBBLERS ROW TO MIDDLEFIELD	Between Cobblers Row and Middlefield Lane	06/05/2025 - 10/05/2025	20:00hrs and 06:00hrs.
COCKING HILL	Between Middlefield Lane and Crypt Lane	06/05/2025 - 10/05/2025	20:00hrs and 06:00hrs.
A286 CRYPT LANE TO CHURCH LANE	Between Crypt Lane and Church Lane	06/05/2025 - 10/05/2025	20:00hrs and 06:00hrs.
A286 CHURCH LANE TO BELL LANE	Between Church Lane and Bell Lane	06/05/2025 - 10/05/2025	20:00hrs and 06:00hrs.

Chichester Local Plan Update

11

April 2025

Your Local Plan update

April 2025

Chichester Local Plan moves to the next stage

People are being invited to make comments on modifications being proposed to Chichester District Council’s Local Plan, after councillors gave the green light to move to the next stage of the examination process.

The Chichester Local Plan 2021–2039 was submitted to the government’s Planning Inspectorate for examination in May last year. Since then, two independent Planning Inspectors have been reviewing the plan document, alongside a range of supporting documents and comments from the most recent public consultation.

As part of this examination, the Inspectors led a series of public hearings last year, before issuing a post hearings advice letter, which can be viewed on the council’s Local Plan examination web pages: www.chichester.gov.uk/localplanexaminationnews

In a meeting of Full Council this week, Chichester District councillors agreed that the proposed ‘Main Modifications’ that are needed to make the plan ‘sound’ are now ready for residents and businesses to view and comment on.

The public consultation will run for six weeks, between 10 April and 29 May 2025, and people can access this consultation by visiting the council’s designated Main Modifications web page: www.chichester.gov.uk/main-modifications-consultation

Cllr Bill Brisbane, Cabinet Member for Planning at Chichester District Council, says: “The examination process assesses whether the plan has met the legal requirements; whether it has been positively prepared and is justified, effective and consistent with national policy; and if the council has engaged and worked effectively with neighbouring authorities and statutory bodies.

“As part of this, the Inspectors not only reviewed the plan itself, but also the evidence on which it is based, along with a series of modifications that we proposed to address consultation feedback. Following the examination hearings, we received a written letter earlier this year, which detailed the Inspectors’ initial findings and recommended the way forward. The letter identified some Main Modifications that need to be made in order for the plan to be considered for adoption. We are now at the point of consulting on these main modifications.”

In line with the government’s examination process, residents and businesses will only be able to comment on the modifications being proposed for the plan. People won’t be able to comment on parts of the plan that are not proposed to be modified. Comments and representations made in the previous Local Plan consultations have already been considered by the Inspectors and do not need to be resubmitted.

A full list of the Main Modifications are available to view on the council’s Local Plan web pages: www.chichester.gov.uk/main-modifications-consultation. Alongside the main modifications, there are a series of additional modifications, which are factual updates and corrections, and members of the public will be able to comment on these as part of the consultation, if they wish to — however comments on those will not be considered by the Inspector but by the council.

Once the consultation is completed, all comments on the Main Modifications will be reviewed by the Planning Inspectors. If they are happy the Plan can proceed to adoption they will write their final report, setting out the Main Modifications which the council must make to adopt the Local Plan.

More about the Chichester Local Plan
The Local Plan identifies housing requirements, development areas for economic growth and locations for new homes in the Chichester plan area over the next 14 years. The Local Plan also has a raft of policies relating to climate change and the natural environment. There is a separate plan for areas located in the National Park and this is produced by the South Downs National Park Authority.

You can find more information about the Chichester Local Plan, including the council’s Statement of Consultation — which summarises the work that has been done to prepare the plan — on the council’s local plan web pages: www.chichester.gov.uk/localplan. Links to recordings of all of the hearings can be found on the examination web pages: www.chichester.gov.uk/localplanexamination

For more information about the local plan examination process, the government has also created a guide with information on the key stages: www.gov.uk/guidance/taking-part-in-local-plan-examinations#what-is-the-local-plan-examination-for-and-who-does-it

Update on the Local Development Scheme 2025-2028
In a meeting of Full Council this week, Chichester District Councillors also approved a revised Local Development Scheme (LDS), which contains information about the planning documents the council will produce for the Chichester Local Plan area.

The LDS is published to help the local community and stakeholders keep up to date with the timescales for when various key planning policy documents will be produced. It includes a profile for each of the documents, and a timetable for their production, including dates for when the public will be consulted on them.

This document will be published and available to view at: www.chichester.gov.uk/localdevelopmentscheme

Keep in touch

By visiting our webpages: www.chichester.gov.uk/localplanreview

You can also sign up to our monthly email newsletter – initiatives + - which covers local news and events: www.chichester.gov.uk/newsalerts

Share this with a friend

Please encourage your friends and family to sign up to this newsletter at: www.chichester.gov.uk/newsalerts

West Sussex Residents eNewsletter

11

April 2025

April 2025 West Sussex County Council eNewsletter

Residents' enewsletter

Welcome to the April 2025 edition of our Residents’ eNewsletter, featuring the latest news and updates from your county council.

Egg-citing Easter events!

Spring is in the air, it's Easter next week and our county is brimming with exciting events and activities for all ages.

You’ll find egg hunts, tulip festivals, seasonal markets and more - there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Discover all the wonderful Easter events happening by visiting Experience Sussex.

And why not remove the hassle of driving and parking and take the bus, which can be a more environmentally friendly and affordable way to travel. Plan your trip here.

You might also qualify for cheaper fares or a concessionary bus pass. Find a full list of discounts here.

On the link below you’ll find our opening times over the Easter holiday, and who you can contact if you need us in an emergency.

Easter break information

downs scene

Still time to have your say on devolution

There’s still time to have your say on proposals for a Mayoral Combined Authority in Sussex and Brighton.

The government consultation closes at the end of the day this Sunday (13 April).

It seeks views from everyone who lives and works in our county, and asks about:

The proposed geography
Governance arrangements
Supporting the economy
Improving social outcomes
Local government services
Improving the natural environment
Supporting the needs of local communities and reflect local identity.

Find more information about devolution and local government reorganisation here.

Complete the consultation

library

Do you love reading?

Discover which authors are the favourites among West Sussex residents - including several with local links.

Our library service has compiled a list of the top 100 favourite authors voted for by local people.

2025 is a special year for libraries as they celebrate 100 years of being in the heart of the community, and there’s lots happening that you can join in with.

And if you are not already a member of the library, and would like to join in with the celebrations, it’s quick and easy to sign up if you live or work in the county. Visit your local library or join online.

Read more!

Reablement service

Improved reablement service

A greater proportion of West Sussex residents will soon be able to access reablement care to enable them to live independently for longer. This includes those with learning disabilities or mental health needs as well as older people.

We have re-commissioned our Community Reablement Service as part of a significant investment and expansion of the service and awarded the new contract to Essex Care Limited (ECL).

The contract will almost double current provision to deliver 2,000 hours of support each week to enable more people to benefit and regain independence.

It is envisioned that demand for the service will grow through the four to six-year contract, which has the potential to deliver 5,000 hours of support each week.

More information

elderly man vaccine

Book your vaccines

Top up your protection against Covid-19 by getting vaccinated this spring if you (or your child) are eligible.

Those at increased risk from severe illness can get the vaccine if they:

are aged six months or over and have a weakened immune system
live in an older adult care home
are aged 75 or over (on 17 June 2025).

You don’t need to wait for an invitation to book your vaccine. Visit the NHS App, the NHS website or call 119 for free. You may also be able to visit a walk-in site which doesn’t require a booking.

The RSV vaccine helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common virus that can make babies and older adults seriously ill.

It's recommended during pregnancy and for adults aged 75 to 79. The RSV vaccine is given all year round.

The vaccine is recommended during every pregnancy (from 28 weeks onwards), older adults only need one dose, which should protect them for several years.

Find out more or speak to your GP or maternity service.

food waste

Community Food Hubs for all

Working in partnership with Sussex-based food rescue charity UKHarvest, our Community Food Hubs redistribute surplus food from suppliers while educating residents on food waste prevention.

The scheme has already successfully prevented over 94 tonnes of food from going to waste since it started in April 2023, with hubs taking place once a month in each district and borough across West Sussex.

For a small voluntary donation of £5, residents can access a wide selection of surplus food. No referrals are needed and all residents are welcome to visit the child-friendly hubs.

Food waste prevention

health and wellbeing survey

Have your say on health and wellbeing

The West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board is seeking residents’ views on its draft five-year strategy (2025 to 2030), which sets out the overarching plan for improving health and wellbeing and reducing inequalities across the county.

The draft strategy uses the latest evidence to identify the challenges and needs of people and communities in West Sussex and presents the board’s vision and five priority areas:

Food and nutrition
School readiness
Transitioning to adulthood – children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing
Tobacco control
Health and wellbeing in temporary accommodation.

A public consultation on the draft strategy is now open until 11.55pm on Sunday 27 April 2025.

Everyone in West Sussex, including young people, professionals, and local organisations, is invited to take part on the link below.

If you would prefer to complete a paper copy of the survey visit your local library where copies are available. The survey is also available to download and print and can be returned to any West Sussex library. Find your local library on our website.

Take part in the consultation

Railway approach worthing

Supporting economic growth in Worthing

Residents and visitors are enjoying a more attractive and better-connected approach to Worthing railway station, thanks to major investment by the county council and Active Travel England.

Improvements have been designed to support the town’s economic growth with better and safer walking and cycling routes.

New rain gardens, which are flower beds that absorb excess water to prevent the road and pavement flooding during heavy rain, have been added to create an urban habitat for birds, butterflies, bees and other insects.

More information

stay safe

Helping children and young people to stay safe

We know that staying safe is a concern for many young people, this can be especially so when they are out and about in town centres.

The Children First Board have worked with young people and a range of partners, including the county council’s community safety team and Sussex Police to review the information and advice we provide to help young people to feel and stay safe.

We would ask all parents and carers to share the information on the link below which we hope you and the young people in your life find helpful.

Staying safe

more news

Head to our Newsroom to find all the latest news.

Serial offender prosecuted for selling illicit tobacco and alcohol to child in Littlehampton following a trading standards undercover operation.
Rap music is being used to help parents and children improve their maths skillsas part of an innovative partnership between West Sussex County Council and musicians, educators, nursery schools and families.
Our Record Office has retained its Archives Accreditation, which sets the standard for archive services across the UK.
Be tick aware in warmer weather as they can carry infections like Lyme diseaseand tick-borne encephalitis. For more information watch this video. You can also report a tick through the Tick Surveillance Scheme.

did you know

Thursday 8 May is the 80th anniversary of VE Day - Victory in Europe Day, which marked the end of World War II in Europe. Find out what events are taking place in your local area, and information on how your town and village can become a 'Tip Top Town'.

Did you receive this eNewsletter from a friend? Sign up here.

South Downs News - April 2025

10

April 2025

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WORK AND PLAY IN YOUR NATIONAL PARK

THIS MONTH:

It’s our birthday!The South Downs National Park is now 15 years old and we’re celebrating what has been achieved so far, as well as announcing a consultation about the future.
Exploring the DownsAccess to one of the National Park’s most iconic hills has been improved.
Citizen scienceFind out how you can play your part in nature recovery at Seven Sisters.
Bountiful bluebells!Win a free day-out to one of the National Park’s most delightful venues.

As always please send your comments and ideas to newsletter@southdowns.gov.uk

Click here to read a PDF version of South Downs News

PICTURE OF THE MONTH: A carpet of bluebells is a sight that never gets old! April and May are a wonderful time to experience the bluebell woods of the National Park and here is a fine example at Hinton Ampner in Hampshire. Thank you to Simon Newman for the photograph. You'll find out more about Hinton Ampner in this edition and we're offering the chance to win a free day-out at the magnificent country home!

If you have an amazing seasonal image, please do email us!

Three cheers for 15 years!

We’re marking the National Park’s 15th birthday by announcing a major upcoming consultation that will help decide future priorities.

Following decades of campaigning and public inquiries, the South Downs National Park finally came into being on 31 March, 2010 after first being mooted in the 1920s.

Fifteen years on, a great deal has been achieved for nature, climate and communities.

Yet there’s still so much more to be done to protect and enhance the landscape, as well as create opportunities for people to enjoy it, all while facing growing challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, water pollution and economic uncertainty.

A public consultation will run from June to August on a new draft Partnership Management Plan, which is an overarching plan setting out the goals for the National Park over the next five years. It will replace the current Partnership Management Plan. Learn more here.

Find out 15 achievements of the National Park

Vital repairs to improve access to iconic site

Access to one of the most sacred – and spookiest – spots on the South Downs has been improved in time for the spring.

Thanks to £25,000 funding from the British Mountaineering Council, 800m of pathway up to Chanctonbury Ring has been given a much-needed makeover. Find out more here.

Improvements unveiled at country park

New “citizen science” photo posts, wildlife ponds and improved habitats for birds are among the latest improvements at Seven Sisters Country Park.

Four years on since the National Park Authority began managing the 280-hectare site and investment continues to improve the iconic beauty spot for both nature and people.

One of the latest upgrades is the installation of three special photo posts. The aim of the posts is to help the National Park Authority create a detailed picture of how our work is changing Seven Sisters across the seasons. Find out more here.