To compliment the Government’s housing targets and support the economy, Heaver Commercial is focusing on delivering employment developments within walking and cycling distances of new residential schemes to reduce car dependency and promote active travel.
Heaver Commercial has submitted an outline planning application for circa 42,000 sq m of new employment space located next to the Temple Bar Junction of the A27 east of Chichester and within close proximity to Rolls Royce.
Following community consultations, the visually and sustainably led scheme has been sympathetically designed to blend with the landscape and have a significant positive impact upon biodiversity.
The proposal also includes a mobility hub, over 3.5 hectares of new open green spaces and ponds, a new 1.7km landscaped perimeter walking and cycling route and circa 128,500 new trees, shrubs and plants. The landscaping will screen the site and increase the amount of hedgerows by 285.58%, create a net gain of 61.95% in wildlife habitats and a net gain of 16% for watercourses
With a shortage of employment space, Chichester’s population aged between 35 and 49 fell by nearly 9% between 2011 and 2021 and this decline is forecast to continue unless more jobs are created. The proposal offers the opportunity to deliver more than 600 new jobs and apprenticeships, contribute £43 million annually to the local economy, supporting services and amenities, generate £200,000 of additional Business Rates annually for the Council to spend on local priorities and raise around £45,000 per annum in community grants through a Social Investment Fund to donate to local charities and community projects.
Nearly 50% of Chichester’s working population leave the district for work, typically commuting around 40 minutes which is estimated to create around 16,000 vehicle movements a day. Congestion can be reduced by creating more local employment and by promoting active travel. The site is nestled between two new major residential schemes at Tangmere and Westhampnett, which combined will provide nearly 1,600 homes. These new homes will be linked to the site by foot and cycle ways to reduce car dependency.
Heaver Commercial submitted its planning application after significant engagement with planning officers at Chichester District Council, Westhampnett, Boxgrove and Tangmere Parish Councils, local residents and local businesses. Heaver Commercial strives to work with communities to deliver top quality sustainable buildings that facilitate lasting economic and social wellbeing.
