A massive development, but is it good for Chichester? We have been involved in the planning Forums. A summary of the planning application is given below, with a picture of early developments on site. We spoke in favour of the proposal when it was approved on 11 March.

We have also been involved in discussions with ZeroC developers and have agreed with their proposals and those of the MoD to retain the historic keep and a large proportion of the open space.

The Society has joined the Conservation Area Advisory Committee in campaigning against redundant signs and the swarm of A-boards which clutter our streets. We also continue to struggle to keep Chichester District Council to their own guidelines which include painted fascias only, inclusion of street numbers and the banning of hanging signs in main streets and of illumination. We may be losing on the requirement to paint frontages, but the line is being held on hanging signs and illumination. This may seem petty, but consider the awful example below, from Manchester.

Some infilling is appropriate, but too often there is gross overdevelopment. Read our policy below. The latest active proposals are at Church Road (the old football ground by the cemetery) and the allotments by Kingsham Primary School. We are pleased to report that some infill applications which we opposed, at Hunters Rest (picture) and Bethwine's Farm, Fishbourne for instance, have either been withdrawn or rejected. Do write in to the newsletter editor via the Secretary if you have an opinion. Address on the 'Contact Us' page.

A typical letter to CDC Planners

Our Newsletter campaign under this heading has apparently shamed owners into action in tidying up behind the Post Office, taking the scaffolding off the Bedford Hotel (picture) and refurbishing the flint cottage in Northgate opposite the car park. Our next target is unrepaired road signs!

We are very happy to report that the two recent major campaigns in which we took part, to retain emergency, maternity and other facilities at St. Richard's Hospital, and to prevent gravel digging at Lavant with its associated proposal to drive a continual stream of heavy lorries through the city, have both been successful. Membership of the Friends of Bishop's Palace Gardens (picture) resulted in the re-design and re-furbishment now being carried out by the District Council.

The Executive Committee is less than happy about the central government demand to find spaces for 7100 houses in Chichester in the next 20 years. However, in order to prevent random development or imposition of a plan which would take no account of local views, we have submitted a constructive response to the District Council's consultation. Full details will appear in the March Newsletter, but in summary; Phase 1, develop Graylingwell and the Rousillon Barracks; Phase 2, develop Tangmere and Southbourne; Phase 3, greenfield sites south of the A27. The last phase depends on funds being available for upgrading both the A27 and the Apuldram sewage works - but who's to say what will happen in 15 years' time!