The project would see redevelopment of the area around Chichester Bus Station and garage, Royal Mail depot and the law courts. In a meeting on Tuesday, May 3, CDC cabinets members endorsed the submission of bids to the Local Enterprise Partnership, Homes and Communities Agency and West Sussex County Council. West Sussex County Council’s capital programme includes £30m set aside to leverage additional funding through the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), to support investment in key infrastructure priorities across the county. Some of this money may be used to support the Southern Gateway scheme. Leader of the Council, Tony Dignum, said: “The project is probably the biggest regeneration project the city has ever had, extending to 30 acres in all. “It presents an exciting opportunity to realise a number of desirable outcomes which could include: additional housing, student accommodation, high earning employment space, retail space and other visitor attractions including an attractive northern canal frontage to the canal basin.” Plans to redevelop the area were discussed in 2001, but progress was halted due to various setbacks. However, with ongoing work on the Chichester Vision – a 20-year blueprint for the city – CDC have kickstarted the project once again. Executive director of support services and the economy, Paul Over, said: “We have the only canal basin in West Sussex – it deserves better. We have the only university in West Sussex – it deserves better. “This is a very exciting project, as many as 1,200 jobs will be created and 280 existing jobs will be protected.” Cllr Susan Taylor championed the plans, stating that the new homes that will be created will provide a substantial number of starter homes for young families, calling it ‘an excellent idea’. Cllr Roger Barrow agreed, and said the opportunity will ‘revolutionise the Southern gateway’. CDC has agreed to prepare a full Project Implementation Document and the masterplan specification for consideration at the June Cabinet meeting. Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage at www.chichester.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ChichesterObserver 3) Follow us on Twitter @Chiobserver 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Chichester Observer - always the first with your local news. Be part of it.
