Residents and park-users were provided with an opportunity to see the plans and CGIs (computer generated images) of the playing pitches and associated space for occasional parking that will be created at Havenstoke Park at a public meeting on the evening of the 4th January, hosted by Chichester Community Development Trust (CCDT) in Graylingwell Chapel.
Aware of the concern around the delivery of these pitches that has been voiced by some residents and users of the park, CCDT organised a meeting to provide a platform where those interested in the next phase of the development could both see plan details and speak to those involved in the process.
Delivery of two playing pitches is required by a ‘Section 106’ legal agreement that forms part of the original planning permission for the development of Graylingwell passed in 2009 and reinforced by a subsequent, more detailed planning application approved by Chichester District Council in 2018. Drew Smith, as the developers of the site, are obligated to fulfil this requirement and representatives were present to explain the plans.
As many residents and users of the park have got used to enjoying it in its current state, CCDT worked with the Graylingwell Park Residents Association and Drew Smith to come up with an alternative compromise proposal in late 2021, which would have seen just a single pitch delivered. This formed the basis for Drew Smith’s application for a discharge of the legal condition in August 2022.
Chichester District Council, who are required to sign off on any changes, refused to agree to this proposal, citing their Playing Pitch Strategy produced in 2018 which identifies continued strong demand for new playing pitches. Following a review of the evidence requested by Cllr Jonathan Brown on behalf of CCDT, the District Council have agreed that one of the pitches could be reduced in size to a junior pitch.
It is anticipated that CDC officers will make a formal decision on the Discharge of Condition relating to the pitches in the coming weeks. In line with its mission, CCDT will take ownership of and will manage whatever pitches are provided for the benefit of the community. It is currently anticipated that this will be one full size, and one junior pitch. Whilst the outcome of this decisions lies entirely outside of the control of CCDT who must manage whatever is deemed necessary, the CCDT team were present at the meeting to listen to and better understand the concerns of the residents and those that both use and love the park.
“Everything that we do is to try and build and strengthen the community that live or spend time in Graylingwell Park, and other new developments across Chichester. Our whole team care deeply about providing support and help to those that need it most – that are too easily overlooked in society,” comments Clare de Bathe, Director of CCDT. “We already knew and heard again the passionate voices of those that love Havenstoke Park as we do. Those to whom the space is often a lifeline. We are and will continue to ensure that this space remains protected and their views respected and will minimise the impact these developments have on the lives of park users, whilst also supporting community members such as youth teams already playing football on the space to safeguard their wellbeing.”
Clare continued, “Whilst supporting such teams, we will also look at additional ways to mitigate the impact of the developments. The car park will be created using grasscrete, ensuring that the biodiversity and aesthetic is not damaged and we will also look at options such as planting around the perimeter of the parking site to mask the presence of cars that will only be given access during specific times – ensuring there is minimal impact on parking availability for wider park users by any surges of players and their families. This is in addition to the ongoing maintenance and management of the long-grass meadow areas in the summer designed specifically to reduce the impact of the pitches as part of the initial design planning.”
Chichester District Councillor Jonathan Brown attended the meeting, having worked hard on reaching a compromise and collating the evidence to get at least one of the pitches to be reduced in size. He explained that “the Section 106 legal requirement for the pitches was made when planning permission for the development of Graylingwell Park was given all the way back in 2009. It was reinforced in an updated planning permission made in 2018. The provision of sports pitches has improved since then, although there is still evidence of a substantial shortfall in pitches suitable for junior teams. Although much changed during Covid, the need for young people to have good quality pitches is as strong as ever. The legal agreement will therefore be implemented. I am pleased that one of the pitches will be a junior one, both because this will be more suitable for the young people who need proper spaces to play and because it will ease the pressure on the current users of the park, lessen the impact on the cafe, play area, unmown areas and the ancient dyke that runs through the middle of the park. I am grateful to the CCDT for organising this meeting which showed residents that the impact on the visual appearance of the Park will be much less than some feared. Not everyone will be satisfied, but I hope everyone found it useful to learn more about what is proposed and to put forward ideas to make further improvements both to plans and communications.”
CCDT were also keen to highlight the launch of a new Friends of Havenstoke Park programme at the meeting. An opportunity for those that love and support the park to play an active role in its enhancement and feel part of a community that care for this green space. Weekly work parties will be held by the group to undertake projects to ensure the park is continuously enriched for the benefit of all, followed by a coffee and cake to further build the community of those that cherish this space. Of the 94 attendees booked to attend the public meeting 7 signed up to play an active role in enhancing the park.
