Local councils across Sussex have become unable to protect their rural communities from armies of powerful developers.

This month the UK’s third largest house builder, Taylor Wimpey announced record breaking profits amid claims that developers are slowing down house building for commercial gain (The Independent March 1). CPRE Sussex believes developers like Taylor Wimpey are controlling prices and build-rates in the county to keep the cost of homes artificially high to boost profits. The company’s own website shows a raft of forthcoming developments across Sussex but only 6 houses currently available for sale under £300,000 [Data correct on 10 March 2016]..

"Build rates are determined by the commercial imperative not only to make a profit but to increase profits year-on-year,” Says CPRE Sussex’s Roger Smith. "Government Ministers blame Councils and the planning system for housing shortages and the lack of affordable housing when in reality it is developers, aided and abetted by these same Ministers, who are responsible and blameworthy.
 
And he warns that due to the “five year supply loop-hole” even councils which have a local plan in place are at the mercy of development companies holding back the supply of houses to protect their profits.
 
“That Horsham Council had by 2015 approved applications sufficient to deliver around 7000 houses, counted for nothing with the Inspectorate,” he says, “because developers either could not or would not commit to meeting the five-year requirement, which stood at around 5,700 houses.”
 
Another large house builder which has projects across Sussex is Crest Nicholson. The company has ongoing developments in Haywards Heath, Brighton, Pulborough, Horsham and Crawley. Crest Nicholson’s Annual Integrated Report states that the average selling price of its homes has increased by 14% in the year to October.  The cheapest Sussex property actively for sale on its website is currently being marketed at £279,950. This compares to the national average price of £196,930 (according to Nationwide Building Society figures released this month [PDF]).

Photo © taxrebate.org.uk

CPRE Sussex says it could be good news that the long-awaited announcement on controversial road improvements around Chichester has been delayed. 

The Indpendent reports that "Britain’s largest developers have been accused of profiteering on the back of the country’s housing crisis by restricting the supply of new houses to keep prices unnecessarily high."

CPRE Sussex's response to the Planning Policy Consultation Team, 5th February 2016

Dear Sir/Madam

Consultation on the Proposed Changes to the National Planning Policy Framework

It is not just the big development plans in our countryside that CPRE care passionately about: Stephen Hardy of Rother CPRE has campaigned against new individual proposals in Winchelsea Beach, a haven immediately next to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.

Spirit FM's DJ Stuart McGinley engaged in the debate about the A27 northern bypass at Chichester on 21 January 2016, by urging people to think of the consequences the bypass would have.

Teaming up with the Chichester Observer and with input from the Chichester Deserves Better campaign, Spirit FM have expressed concern about the current lack of clarity behind Highways England's plans, which, as McGinley says, will only be open to consultation for six weeks when they are finally published.

Just before Christmas the Government finally fully u-turned on their promise to ban fracking in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Companies will not be allowed to drill from the surface in National Parks to frack, but will still be allowed to frack under and around them. The Government has dropped ludicrous plans to allow fracking directly through drinking water aquifers, but it will be allowed in the areas supplying drinking water aquifers.

Letter published by the West Sussex County Times, 7 January 2016:

Sir

There must be much more representation for biodiversity at Westminster and at every decision level below that to ensure sustainability.

A group opposed to possible Gatwick Airport expansion has said if it goes ahead, it will cause “misery” to commuters on the Brighton to London railway line.

This comes as Brighton and Hove City Council expressed its support for an expansion at Gatwick.

23 Dec 2015

Chichester MP Andrew Tyrie threw his weight behind the Chichester Deserves Better campaign against options being considered by Highways England to create a new bypass through Fishbourne West Broyle, Lavant, Goodwood, Strettingon and Boxgrove. This would result in a dual carriageway running along the boundary of the South Downs National Park.