News

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Please click on link to view the South Downs News for January 2026

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Love Your Lavant

Friday 20th March, 18.45 – 20.45 @ Lavant Memorial Hall

A talk about the River Lavant and how you can help it thrive - with wine and canap?s!

We would love it if you can join us and also share the details about this event with your contacts, via social media, WhatsApp groups, on local noticeboards and newsletters, etc. Please see attached poster.

Overview

Find out about the beautiful River Lavant, what is being done to protect & restore it, how you can help, and what exactly is a chalk stream

A talk about the River Lavant - with wine and canapes! - by Kate Whitton and Louise Barnetson from the Western Sussex Rivers Trust.

• Book your place via EventBrite.
• ?10 per person to be paid at the door.
• Proceeds going to Western Sussex Rivers Trust and Lavant Environment Team.

The River Lavant is one of only 200 chalk streams left in the UK, it flows through the beautiful villages of East Dean, Singleton, West Dean, and Lavant at the foot of the South Downs, through the historic city of Chichester, and out to sea at Chichester Harbour.

In recent years, the quality of this habitat has been destroyed due to sewage being pumped into the river and pollution washing into the water from the adjacent farmland and roads. We need to act now to help prevent this precious wildlife haven from being lost completely.

Chalk Stream Resilience Officer, Kate Whitton, will explain how a chalk stream functions and what a healthy chalk stream looks like. Kate will tell you what the Western Sussex Rivers Trust is doing to restore and protect this precious chalk stream, what projects we have planned, and what it means for the wider countryside.

Louise Barnetson, Water Champion for Parishes & Communities, will focus on what individuals and communities can do and how they can be water-wise, how everyday products we use at home can cause pollution, what our volunteers are up to, and how we can all be part of the solution.

Many thanks!

Louise Barnetson

Water Champion – Parishes and Communities

07421127331

Western Sussex Rivers Trust / Downs to the Sea

My working days are Mon – Thurs

Check out our Wet Wednesday Webinars online talks series

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West Sussex Recycles

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Singleton and Charlton Parish Council

Meeting Dates for 2026

Meetings are held in Singleton Village Hall at 7pm

Annual PC Meeting & Annual Parish Meeting

Held in Singleton Cricket Club at 7pm

Full Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 7^th January 2026

Full Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 18th March 2026

Full Annual Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 20th May 2026

And Annual Parish Meeting Singleton Cricket Club

Full Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 15th July 2026

Full Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 16th September 2026

Full Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 18^th November 2026

Hello All

We wanted to get in touch to remind you that the government’s formal consultation on local government reorganisation for Sussex will close on Sunday 11 January 2026 at 23.59.

You can access the survey directly by visiting:https://consult.communities.gov.uk/local-government-reorganisation/east-sussex-brighton-and-hove-west-sussex/consultation/

However, you can also find more information through the other links below.

Link to overview:https://consult.communities.gov.uk/local-government-reorganisation/east-sussex-brighton-and-hove-west-sussex/

Link with summary and documents:www.gov.uk/government/consultations/local-government-reorganisation-in-east-sussex-and-brighton-and-hove-and-west-sussex

You can also find out more about the joint business case that was submitted to the government by the councils in West Sussex at:www.shapingwestsussex.org. Alongside this, each council shared its preferred option with the Government. Our council, together with all other district and borough councils in West Sussex, unanimously supported the two-unitary model—one authority for Chichester, Arun, Worthing, and Adur, and another for Crawley, Horsham, and Mid Sussex. West Sussex County Council backed a single-unitary option.

As well as the proposals from the councils in West Sussex and East Sussex, the Government has also decided to include a proposal from Brighton & Hove City Council in the consultation, which affects West Sussex. Brighton & Hove’s proposal features a five-unitary model covering the whole of Sussex—this was developed without any input from councils in West Sussex. We have added information to our web pages atwww.chichester.gov.uk/devolution to remind you of the process so far—and explain what the Government is now seeking your views on.

Your input is important and will help shape the Government’s final decision on the best way forward for Sussex.

It’s important that as many people as possible have their say—so please encourage friends, family, and colleagues to get involved too.

Many thanks,

Sarah

Date of Release:20 August 2025 Ref:4509

Council adopts new Chichester Local Plan

Chichester District Council has officially adopted the Chichester Local Plan 2021–2039, following approval at a Full Council meeting on Tuesday 19 August.

This marks a significant milestone in shaping the future of the area, setting out a comprehensive vision for the area’s economy; transport and housing needs; environmental and historic protection; community health and wellbeing; and cultural development.

The adopted plan, which covers the area of the Chichester District outside the South Downs National Park, identifies housing requirements and development areas to support economic growth and deliver new homes over the next 14 years. It also includes a wide range of policies addressing areas such as design standards, climate change, and the natural environment.

“This is a major achievement and great news for our area and communities,” says Cllr Bill Brisbane, Cabinet Member for Planning at Chichester District Council. “The Chichester Local Plan has been one of the most complex pieces of work we have ever undertaken. The council has worked incredibly hard to prepare and now adopt the new Local Plan, having faced a number of significant challenges, particularly around roads, wastewater, and water neutrality.

“Planning affects where we live, work and relax; where new shops and community facilities are built; and it protects our historic buildings and the natural environment. The Local Plan addresses all of these issues and more, helping to make Chichester a vibrant and greener area. This gives us the opportunity to create a better future for our residents and businesses.

“Preparing a Local Plan is a difficult and lengthy process, and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in completing this important piece of work. This includes everyone who has shared their views in the public consultations that we carried out in the lead up to, and throughout, the examination process — your input has played an important role in shaping the plan.”

Adoption of the plan follows completion of an independent examination process, which began in May last year when the council submitted the plan to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate. The Inspectors assessed the plan, supporting evidence, and public feedback, and held a series of public hearings before identifying a number of ‘main modifications’ needed to make the plan ‘sound’. In April and May, the council consulted on these modifications and after reviewing the responses, the Inspectors issued a final report confirming that the plan, with the recommended modifications, is sound, legally compliant, and ready for adoption.

The Local Plan will guide future development and provide the policies against which planning applications will be assessed. It also supports parish councils in preparing neighbourhood plans.

Bill adds: “All Planning Authorities are expected to meet the housing needs figure that is set by central Government for their Local Plan area. This drives the current level of housing supply and the housing requirement, which forms the basis for the Local Plan.

“Given the local challenges we face — particularly around transport infrastructure and environmental constraints — the plan we submitted for examination proposed a housing requirement of around 90% of the government’s housing needs figure for this area. However, based on the evidence, which included representations from National Highways in relation to the A27, the Inspectors concluded that there wasn’t sufficient justification to set a housing requirement lower than the full identified housing need. However, they permitted a stepped requirement, beginning with 575 homes per year as originally proposed by the council, but only for the years up to 2029/30, increasing to 701 per year following this, to enable an average of 638 homes per year over the full plan period.

“The Inspectors agreed that the most suitable location for housing growth is Chichester and the east/west corridor, which is where the majority of the proposed new housing and strategic sites are located within the Local Plan.

“The adopted plan also includes a wide range of robust policies aimed at protecting and conserving our area’s environment and historic character. It places greater emphasis on design standards and includes more policies relating to the natural environment.

“While the plan seeks to use as many brownfield sites as possible for development, our area lacks a legacy of large industrial sites that are suitable for significant levels of brownfield redevelopment. However, where opportunities do exist, for example in the Southern Gateway area, the plan sets out how the council will actively work to utilise these and unlock potential.”

People can find more information about the Chichester Local Plan, at:www.chichester.gov.uk/localplan. Information relating to the examination process, can be found at: www.chichester.gov.uk/localplanexaminationand the Planning Inspectors full report and the Full Council report are both available at: www.chichester.gov.uk/localplanexaminationnews

Council starts to prepare for local government reorganisation

To ensure it is at the forefront of preparations for local government reorganisation, Chichester District Council has made some changes to the way its senior management team will work.

Its current Director of Corporate Services, John Ward, has been made Chief Operating Officer. He will take on the day-to-day management of the council to enable the Chief Executive, Diane Shepherd, to focus on preparing the council for local government reorganisation. Diane will continue to be responsible for the strategic overview of the council’s work, including preparing the council for the changes ahead and will remain the Chief Executive of the council.

To coincide with this, Diane will reduce her hours and will work three days a week from June. She will continue with this arrangement until 31 March 2027, when she will retire after 40 years of working in local government. Following this time, John Ward will then become the Head of Paid Service and will lead the council through the shadow year, before it joins the new unitary authority.

The changes will not increase costs and will result in a small saving to the council.

“We are really pleased that Diane will be leading the council through this transitional period. She is an exceptional leader, who is highly respected amongst our communities, and has she has made a significant contribution to the district and its success over the past 34 years,” says Cllr Adrian Moss, Leader of Chichester District Council.

“These changes will allow her to focus on preparing for this huge change, to ensure that we achieve the very best outcomes for our staff and communities.

“We also know that John will play a vital role in making sure that council services and projects continue to be delivered to a high standard, while the local government reorganisation work moves forward.”

“It has been a privilege to lead this council over the past 13 years and so I am really pleased that I have the opportunity to prepare the council for this next chapter,” says Diane Shepherd, Chief Executive at Chichester District Council. “My priority is to achieve the very best options and outcomes for our staff, councillors and communities under the new authority. It’s also fitting that after working at the council for 34 years, I have the opportunity to mark the end of my career here, at a place that has given me so many opportunities and memories.”

The government has stated that it wants all areas of the country to have unitary councils, with each serving an average of 500,000 residents. This is likely to result in the creation of one or two unitary councils within West Sussex. This would mean all of the existing councils moving into the new unitary councils. Each area has until 26 September this year to submit detailed proposals.

In Sussex, the timeline is for the unitary authorities to be ready in shadow form in 2027, and for the new councils to come into effect in 2028. People can find out more about devolution and local government reorganisation by visiting:www.chichester.gov.uk/devolution

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Drones

Drone Classes and Subcategories

The UK drone legislation divides drones into three main classes: A1, A2, and A3. Each class has its own set of rules and regulations.

A1 Subcategory: Fly over people, but not over crowds. This subcategory includes drones with a flying weight of less than 250g.

A2 Subcategory: Fly close to people. This subcategory includes drones with a flying weight of 250g to 2kg.

A3 Subcategory: Fly far from people. This subcategory includes drones with a flying weight of less than 25kg.

Registration and Competency

To operate a drone in the UK, you need to register it with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and obtain a Competency Certificate (CofC).

Registration: You need to register your drone if it weighs between 250g and 25kg or has a camera. You can register your drone online through the CAA website.

Competency Certificate: You need to obtain a CofC if you want to fly a drone in the A2 or A3 subcategory. The CofC requires you to pass an online test and demonstrate your understanding of drone safety and regulations.

Operating Areas and Restrictions

There are certain areas where drone flying is restricted or prohibited. These areas include:

Airports: You cannot fly a drone within 5.5 kilometers of an airport or any area designated as a restricted airspace.

National Parks: You need to obtain permission from the park authority before flying a drone in a national park.

Military Areas: You need to obtain permission from the military authority before flying a drone in a military area.

Crowded Areas: You cannot fly a drone over crowded areas, such as sports events or festivals.

Safety Considerations

When flying a drone in the UK, you need to consider the following safety factors:

Height: You cannot fly a drone above 120 meters.

Distance: You need to maintain a minimum distance of 50 meters from people and buildings.

Speed: You cannot fly a drone at a speed greater than 50 knots (93 km/h).

Weather: You cannot fly a drone in bad weather conditions, such as strong winds or low visibility.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

If you fail to comply with the UK drone legislation, you may face penalties, including:

Fine: You may be fined up to £1,000 for flying a drone without permission.

Prison Sentence: You may be sentenced to up to 5 years in prison for flying a drone recklessly or negligently.

Drone Confiscation: Your drone may be confiscated if you are found to be flying it illegally.

The Drone and Model Aircraft Code - Attached below.

Please find attached Southern Water Presentations

Date of Release: 22 May 2024 Ref: 4330

Council agrees funding for vital river restoration projects in Chichester District

Projects aimed at restoring three of the Chichester District’s rare river habitats have received a boost after councillors agreed to help fund them.

At a Chichester District Council meeting on Tuesday 21 May, councillors agreed to invest £180,000 over the next three years, as part of two projects being led by the Western Sussex Rivers Trust (WSRT), formerly known as theArun and Rother Rivers Trust (ARRT), to help restore the River Lavant and also the Ems and the Hambrook.

The money will part-fund two posts. One post will work on furthering a restoration plan for the Ems and the Hambrook. The other will begin work on a similar plan for the Lavant.

“We are delighted to be able to support the Western SussexRivers Trust in their critical work and help fund these key projects,” says Councillor Jonathan Brown, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environmental Strategy at Chichester District Council. “The trust approached us for help, and we felt that it was crucial to support them in this way because our contribution will in turn help them to unlock further potential funding from other sources.

“Many people may not be aware but the rivers Ems, Hambrook and Lavant are among only 283 chalk streams and rivers in the world. These are globally significant but very rare habitats and are almost exclusively found in the south of England. None of these rivers has official protection but we are seeking to gain better protection for them through the Chichester Local Plan and its Strategic Wildlife Corridors policy.We appreciate that this isn’t enough on its own and that significant recovery work also needs to take place.

“Sadly, these rivers are now suffering from the effects of a number of activities including: pollution; habitat loss; drought; and, interruptions to their natural processes and flow. In addition, the River Ems is also suffering the effects of over-abstraction, a process where water is removed for domestic, industrial uses and agriculture.

“These chalk streams also feed into the internationally protected Chichester Harbour Special Protection Area and so it is absolutely vital that as a council we do all that we are able to do in order to support their protection and restoration for future generations. These projects will safeguard the future of three of the most significant rivers and streamsin our district which will then also have a positive effect on our harbour.

“Working with our partners on projects such as these is key. Our role is to help facilitate other organisations who have the expertise to enable results that the council wouldn’t be able to achieve on its own.”

The projects are catchment-based plans, so not only would they look at the rivers and streams themselves, but also the whole landscape area that feeds into them.

The work will focus on restoring the natural function in the river channels; tackling invasive non-native species; andriver re-meandering. This is work that creates a new meandering course or reconnects cut-off meander. Thiscan slow down river flow and is also known to have a positive impact on sedimentation and biodiversity.

Alongside this work, the project officers will also work with landowners and the local community to carry out citizen science, which would include a range of activities such as monitoring water quality, biodiversity and encouraging people to report incidents.

Getting the public and local community involved is key to gathering good statistics in order to gain good outcomes. The officers will also run public events to build community engagement and understanding of the issues affecting the rivers — this will feed into finding potential solutions.

The Western Sussex Rivers Trust (WSRT) isone of a national network of river trusts that aim to protect and restore our rivers and streams. The Trust’s area covers nearly all of Chichester and Arun Districts. The trust has been working on a series of catchment-based plans for the restoration of rivers and their tributary streams within Chichester District.

As part of the projects the council will meet regularly with WSRT to monitor progress

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Priority Services Register

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See PDF Below

Please see attachment below. Submitted to SDNP on 7/11/23.

Please see attached information.