Current Issues
Issues that the SRA are working on
Have your say on proposed changes to Oaklands Way
Have your say on proposed changes to Oaklands Way
West Sussex County Council is consulting on plans for a new walking and cycling route linking Chichester city centre, Oaklands Park, the University and St Richard’s Hospital.
The proposals include separate space for pedestrians and cyclists, improved crossings and better signage.
Consultation closes: 19 November 2026.
There’s also a drop-in session at New Park Centre on Thursday 15 October, 3.30–7.30pm.
If you use Oaklands Way, take a look at the plans and have your say.
Report for Parishes and Residents Associations for the Month of September
For information about
- River Lavant sewage improvements: Southern Water has more than doubled the treatment capacity at Lavant and is trialling a nature-based wetland system to reduce storm overflows. Approval is still needed to use the plant fully, and phosphate pollution remains unresolved.
- Summersdale updates: The Brandy Hole Copse dipping platform is awaiting contractor quotes before it can be completed safely. The School Crossing Patrol position on St Paul’s Road also remains vacant, although job-share arrangements are possible.
- Children and young people: The proportion of SEND plans completed on time improved to 31% in August, although this remains well below target. An Ofsted report is expected in November, and consultation is open on the new West Sussex Youth Strategy.
- Local government reorganisation paused: The Government has put the West Sussex reorganisation plans on hold, with no new decision date. As things currently stand, district council elections are expected to go ahead next year.
- City-centre mobile coverage: Work has started to install new mobile-phone infrastructure in Chichester city centre and is expected to be completed before the New Year.
And more…read the full report here: Report for Parishes and Residents Associations for the Month of September
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Wildfire Prevention Patrol
The Fire and Rescue team are looking for volunteers to report any fire risk that they find, including fly tipped flammable waste (especially glass, which can act like a magnifying glass), burnt out bbqs and bonfires, or areas with lots of cigarette butts. It helps the fire and rescue service know where they might have an issue that needs additional attention. Volunteers will never be asked to tackle a fire and it’s mainly aimed for ramblers, dog walkers and joggers. I am reliably informed that it comes with a snazzy high viz jacket for dogs that says something similar to “wildfire patrol”. The initiative has been running for a number of years and has been so effective that its been copied by our neighbouring counties, the fire and rescue service are always looking for new volunteers because a good network of well-informed residents is the best way to prevent wildfires.
Report on the Goodwood Aerodrome Consultative Committee
Report on the Goodwood Aerodrome Consultative Committee held on 30th July 2026
Aircraft movements were lower between January and May 2026, with around 12,600 movements – a 21% fall year on year and well within all Section 52 limits. There were
no heavier-aircraft movements or helicopter movements after sunset.
Between March and May this year, 15 of the 19 aircraft complaints came from Summersdale. None of the complaints concerned the Harvard or Spitfire flights.
The committee explored whether runway 28 could be used in preference to runway 24 to reduce disturbance to Summersdale. However, it was explained that this was
not desirable because runway 28 is significantly shorter than runway 24 and its surface is unsuitable for some aircraft.
Goodwood reported that it takes aircraft safety very seriously, with regular pilot safety briefings, education and CAA audits. The Air Portal system was also said to
be working well in controlling drone flying.
Goodwood Revival – Thursday 17th – Sunday 20th September – Air Displays & Naval Gun
Please find below the details for the air displays and naval gun (max. 2 shots no more than 30 seconds apart), for this years Revival Meeting:
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Thursday 17th
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17.20
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Air Display (Stempe Display Team)
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10 minutes
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Airfield
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17.40
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Air Display (Aerosuperbatics)
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10 minutes
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Airfield
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18.00
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Air Display (Spitfire & Hurricane)
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10 minutes
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Goodwood House
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18.15
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Air Display (2 x Spitfires)
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8 minutes
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Airfield
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Friday 18th
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08.00
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Air Display (3 x Spitfires)
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10 minutes
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Airfield
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09.00
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Naval Gun to fire
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Airfield
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17.32
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Naval Gun to fire
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Airfield
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18.22
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Naval Gun to fire
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Airfield
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Saturday 19th
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08.00
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Air Display (3 x Spitfires)
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10 minutes
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Airfield
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08.45
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Naval Gun to fire
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Airfield
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19.00
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Air Display
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10 minutes
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Airfield
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Sunday 20th
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08.00
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Air Display (3 x Spitfires)
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10 minutes
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Airfield
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09.00
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Naval Gun to fire
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Airfield
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August 2026 Report for Parishes and Residents Associations
For information about
- Chichester Library Refurbishment
- Emergency Services
- Chichester City Council’s 800 year anniversary
- Highways news
- WSCC Newsletters
And more…read the full report here: Report for Parishes and Residents Associations for the Month of August
July 2026 Report for Parishes and Resident Associations
For information about
- Festival of Speed
- Improvements to City Centre
- E-Scooters
- Bus Shelters
- School Funding
And more…read the full report here: Report for Parishes and Resident Associations for the month of July for circulation
Highway Ranger pilot launched
West Sussex County Council has launched a new Highway Ranger pilot to take action in
local communities for cleaner and better-maintained streets.
The new countywide programme will tackle the everyday issues that can make an area look
untidy, helping to keep local streets looking cleaner, safer and more welcoming.
Cllr Erika Woodhurst-Trueman, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said:
“We are listening to residents and taking action on the issues they tell us matter most.
Obscured signs, overgrown vegetation and blocked drains can affect people’s pride in their
neighbourhood and their confidence that local issues are being addressed.
The Highway Ranger pilot builds on the excellent work already carried out by town and parish councils, district and borough partners, community groups and volunteers across West Sussex.
Their ongoing commitment plays a vital role in helping to keep our communities attractive, safe and well cared for.
The dedicated Highway Ranger teams will provide additional support by addressing small-
scale highway maintenance and street scene issues identified through local councils, elected
members, partner organisations, residents and routine inspections.
While, as a county-wide resource, the teams will not be able to respond to every issue
raised, they will help deliver visible improvements in communities across West Sussex,
complementing and strengthening the valuable work already taking place.”
The pilot launched on 3 August 2026, starting in Worthing before moving around the county
until March 2027.
Highway Rangers will focus on the smaller maintenance jobs that can have a big impact on
how an area looks and feels, including:
- Cutting back overhanging vegetation
- Cleaning road and traffic signs
- Clearing debris from drains and other highways drainage features
- Minor repairs to street furniture
- Removing weeds and clearing pavement edges
- Removing unauthorised signs and advertisements
- Minor hedge trimming and decluttering works
While the council continues to invest in its core highways services, such as road repairs,
inspections, drainage maintenance and winter gritting, the Highway Ranger pilot will provide
an extra focus on visible improvements in local communities.
Areas of work will be identified by local highways teams working with county councillors,
parish and town councils and community groups, alongside issues highlighted through
routine inspections.
The council will monitor the impact of the pilot, looking at the improvements delivered,
feedback from residents and local communities, and the value the service provides. The
findings will help inform decisions about whether the Highway Ranger programme should
continue beyond the pilot period.
Chichester Local Plan 2045 – Notice of Scoping Consultation and draft
Chichester District Council is getting ready to prepare a new local plan. They would like your
views on the issues a new local plan should cover, and on how you would like to be engaged
in the plan making process. The plan will cover the parts of Chichester District outside of the
South Downs National Park.
The Scoping Consultation and draft Engagement Strategy will be available for seven weeks
from 7 August 2026 to 25 September 2026 both on the council’s website at: https://www.chichester.gov.uk/localplanconsultation
and at Chichester District Council Offices
East Pallant House, 1 East Pallant
(09:00 – 16:00 Mon- Fri)
You can respond to the consultation questions using the consultation website or by returning
the Representation Form to the council offices.
Speed Awareness in your area
City Councils Planning and Conservation is asking residents for their views on the
effectiveness of the speed management devices which have been installed over the last
couple of years.
We have been asked by the City Council to get residents opinions on our recent speed
reduction measures via the survey below
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X77ZHJZ
Roadworks on Wellington Road, Chichester, 5th August 2026
Please find attached a notice in relation to a temporary traffic regulation order which the County Council will make and will be operative at the location and on the dates and times indicated. Please click the following link to see the public notice: https://api-gb.one.
Report a problem with a road or pavement or raise a highways related enquiry
Keep Garden Birds Healthy This Summer
With the hot summer weather, the RSPB is encouraging people to think carefully about how
they help garden birds.
Many people are surprised to learn that, after cats, one of the biggest causes of premature
death in garden birds is disease spread through dirty bird feeders and the ground beneath
them.
Greenfinches are particularly vulnerable to trichomonosis (sometimes known as
“canker”), a disease that has become increasingly common in finches over recent decades.
The disease is spread through infected saliva on food and in drinking water. Birds that are
unable to swallow often drop contaminated food, which can then infect others. The parasite
survives much longer in damp conditions, such as wet, decomposing food beneath feeders or
in bird baths, than it does on clean, dry surfaces.
For this reason, if you choose to feed birds, it is essential to clean feeders regularly, remove
uneaten food and debris from the ground, and refresh and scrub bird baths frequently. During
very hot weather, it may even be worth taking feeders down for a short period if you cannot
keep them clean, while continuing to provide fresh, clean water.
A clean bird bath can be a lifeline during the summer, but only if the water is changed every
day and the bath is scrubbed regularly to prevent the build-up of harmful organisms.
For more information on keeping garden birds healthy, visit the Vine House Farm guide to
bird feeder hygiene:
https://www.vinehousefarm.co.uk/hygiene
Coming soon(ish): A new pavement for The Drive
Anyone walking into Summersdale from the Co-op or northbound bus stop will know the missing section of pavement where The Drive meets Lavant Road.
The gap forces pedestrians onto a muddy, often flooded grass verge, or to cross near a blind junction. This is particularly difficult for people using wheelchairs, pushchairs or walking aids.
Last year, the SRA asked West Sussex County Council to install a proper pavement and tackle the flooding. We are pleased to report that the scheme has now been approved and passed to the design team.
The work is due to go out to tender in September, with construction expected sometime between April 2027 and March 2028.
There may be another muddy winter ahead, but at last we are on the way to a safer and more accessible route for everyone.
Chichester looks forward to better mobile phone signal by the end of 2026
Plans to improve North Street and East Street have now been approved and fully funded, with work expected to begin in spring 2027.
Before the pavement improvements start, new digital infrastructure will be installed. Shared mobile “mini-masts” at the ends of North, South, East and West Streets will be available to all major network operators, improving reception across the city centre.
The mini-masts are expected to be working by the end of 2027.
A copy of the WSCC presentation can be found CHICHESTER CITY CENTRE PUBLIC REALM IMPROVEMENTS
June Update from Cllr Jack Lovejoy
June Update from Cllr Jack Lovejoy
Grab a cup of tea – it’s a long one! (webperson)
- Key local issues: Market/Fordwater Road crossing, Brandy Hole Lane traffic, Lavant footpath, and city centre paving.
- Local Government Reorganisation is still unclear, with results expected in the next couple of months.
- Weald and Downland Museum is improving access, signage, audio guides and café facilities.
- Roussillon Park Residents’ Association idea seems to be on hold.
- Cllr Clare Apel has been awarded an MBE.
- Residents are encouraged to report potholes, blocked pavements, signs, lights and footpath issues directly to WSCC.
Festival of Speed Firework Display Times 2026
Festival of Speed Firework Display Times 
Timetable of Goodwood FoS Fireworks
𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫: 𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐀𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝, 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫
- There will be no vehicle access past the road closures
- Signed diversion routes will be in place
- Access to homes and businesses within the closure will be maintained where it is safe to do so
- Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times
Map showing roadworks plannedGoodwood Digital Ticketing Explained
A Simpler, Smarter Way to Experience Goodwood
Goodwood is moving to fully digital tickets for all events.
After booking, visitors will receive an email asking them to download the Goodwood Tickets app, where their tickets will be stored securely on their phone.
Digital tickets can be shared easily by email, text or WhatsApp, so each guest can have their own ticket. Once downloaded, tickets can still be accessed without WiFi or mobile signal.
The new system should make entry quicker, reduce the risk of lost tickets, and cut down on printed paper and packaging. Support will be available for anyone who needs help using the app.
For more information Digital Ticketing Explained
May Update from Cllr Jack Lovejoy
Cllr Jack Lovejoy has shared his May update for Chichester North, covering local council meetings, plans to improve North and East Streets, Southern Water’s work in the Lavant Valley, planning issues, pothole reporting, Local Government Reorganisation, and a request for a safer crossing on Summersdale Road near Fordwater School. He also outlines his new roles at West Sussex County Council and upcoming local meetings and events.
Tree Watering Alert
Young highway trees now need 30–40 litres of water once a week, ideally as one good soak.
Despite the recent rain, Chichester’s trees are still under stress after a very dry spring. Young street trees, especially those under five years old, need help while they establish deeper roots.
If there is a young tree on your road, in your park, or on a regular walk, could you give it a weekly soak? Even better, team up with neighbours and take turns.
Neighbourly watering really can help keep these trees alive and thriving.
Contact Chichester Tree Wardens: info@treesinchi.org
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Sussex
The Government announced that it would be running a second consultation on LGR proposals for Sussex. This new consultation is now live on the government’s consultation platform and this will close at 23:59 on Monday 15 June.
You can find more information about this on this page. Responses to both consultations will be reviewed by Ministers ahead of a final decision, which is expected in the summer.
Visit the governments consultation platform here.
Change of date for meeting
Our June Committee meeting has moved from 25 June to 18 June, still starting at 7pm.
All future meetings will be at St Michael’s. Those previously advertised as St Paul’s have moved back to St Michael’s.
Dog Control Rules in Chichester District
Communities invited to give feedback on dog control rules for the Chichester District
Chichester District Council is asking residents, businesses and community groups to comment on proposed changes to dog control rules across the district.
The council is reviewing its Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for dog control, which is due to expire in October 2026. The proposals include extending dog fouling rules so that dog mess must be cleared up on all publicly accessible land, including some privately owned land that is open to the public.
Existing dog exclusion areas would remain, including fenced children’s play areas, Priory Park, Bishop’s Palace Gardens and the seasonal dog-free section of Selsey Beach. The council is also proposing that all fenced children’s play areas on privately owned land should be dog-free all year round.
The consultation also asks for early views on whether extra dog control measures may be needed in parts of Chichester Harbour, where off-lead dogs can disturb protected birds. People can respond online through the council’s Let’s Talk: Dogs in Public Spaces consultation before 5pm on Friday 5 June 2026. A paper copy can be requested by emailing letstalk@chichester.gov.uk.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Sussex
West Sussex local authorities had been expecting a decision from the Government on local government reorganisation by the end of March 2026. On 25 March, the Government issued an update confirming that no decision has yet been made on which unitary solution should be taken forward in Sussex. Instead, they have announced that they will be running a second consultation on proposals covering the whole of Sussex.
The consultation will begin after the local elections on 7 May, and a decision is expected in the summer after the consultation period closes, and new representations are considered. The overall timescale for reorganisation remains the same, with elections to the new shadow unitary authorities expected in May 2027 preparing for the new authorities to formally launch in April 2028.
The government statement (opens new window) is available on its website
Planning Issues
25/03008/FUL 51 Lavant Road Chichester West Sussex PO19 5RD
Demolition of existing property and erection of 1 no. dwelling and 6 no. apartments, relocation of existing access and associated works.
The SRA, along with nearly 50 other people have objected to this development primarily because the plans represent an overdevelopment of the site with a building that is totally unsuitable for its location. Precedence within the road shows there is no reason why it needs to be like that.
The planning application has now been rejected by CDC, but it is very likely to come back in another form soon so please keep a look out for it. We will let you know when it does.
Extinct Butterflies spotted back in England
A conservation charity says that a butterfly officially classed as extinct in the UK has been seen at sites across southern England. Back in Autumn 2024, Dr Ray McGlone, a local resident, wrote an article in out Newsletter entitled “The Glamorous Models of the Insect World” in which he talked about his project to raise butterflies that are in decline and release them into the wild. One of those butterflies was the large tortoiseshell!
Read more about the sighting here
Parking Issues
Several residents along Summersdale Road, The Broadway, and Highland Road have commented on the difficult situations arising from the ever increasing on street parking. SRA Committee to raise with WSCC.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Sussex
What’s happening
The Government has been looking at changes to how local councils are structured across Sussex. This is called Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
At the moment, many areas have a two-tier system:
- County council (for some services)
- District/borough council (for other services)
LGR is about moving to unitary councils, where one council is responsible for most local services in an area.
What’s being proposed (in simple terms)
Across Sussex, different options have been discussed — including:
- creating a smaller number of larger councils that each cover a wider area, and
- changing boundaries so the “map” of local government works differently than it does now.
Government guidance suggests new unitary councils are typically planned around populations of roughly 300,000–500,000 residents, which is why the options tend to involve larger areas than current districts. (Brighton & Hove City Council)
Where things are up to now
There was a Government consultation on the Sussex proposals that:
- opened 19 November 2025
- closed 11 January 2026
The responses are now being reviewed before the Government decides what happens next. (GOV.UK)
Several Sussex councils have said they expect a decision in spring 2026.
What this could mean for residents
If changes go ahead, residents may eventually see:
- a new council name and boundary for their area
- changes to who is responsible for which services (because they’d be brought under one council)
- changes to local representation (for example, ward boundaries) as new structures settle in
It’s worth saying: while proposals are being considered, day-to-day services continue as normal.
Why the SRA is sharing this
These decisions shape how local services are organised and how residents are represented. Even if you’re not interested in council structures (fair enough), the outcome can affect how local decisions are made and who you contact in future.
What you can do
- If you want to understand the proposals in more detail, you can read the Government consultation document (even though the consultation has now closed).
- Keep an eye on this page — we’ll post an update when the Government announces the next steps.
If you have thoughts or concerns you’d like the SRA to be aware of, you can contact us via the website contact page.