Plans unveiled for new homes and primary school at Drayton Water

Proposals have been unveiled for a major new residential-led development to the east of Chichester city centre.

Known as Drayton Water, the site will initially provide around 540 new homes and also includes a site for a new two form entry primary school - which can be delivered at the start of the project - a community hub and a care home. The existing lake on the site and its margins will be preserved and enhanced for the benefit of wildlife.

The site for development is situated to the south of Shopwhyke Road (B2144) and adjacent to Shopwyke Lakes. The site is identified as being suitable for residential development in Chichester District Council’s emerging Local Plan and represents a major contribution towards the city’s identified new housing needs, together with providing social and community facilities. Drayton Water will include a broad mix of new homes (including affordable homes), ranging from one-bedroom flats to 4 bedroom detached houses.

The new homes will be architecturally designed to reflect local West Sussex building styles and will include extensive installation and features to improve energy efficiency. Drayton Water, which is currently low-grade farmland, restored landfill and former gravel pits (now a lake), will be extensively landscaped.

The lake will be preserved and enhanced to ensure it continues to offer a range of habitats for wildlife and birds. There will be extensive public open spaces and a comprehensive landscape buffer will mark the eastern boundary of the development, which will preserve all existing high-quality trees. New paths and cycleways will be provided to link Drayton Water with surrounding developments, local villages and the city centre.

An electric vehicle charging network will be provided and all homes will have high-speed fibre Internet access. The site is also on the local bus network and will contribute to its viability. The proposals for Drayton Water are being promoted by Obsidian Strategic, on behalf of the landowners. Obsidian is working up proposals for submission to Chichester District Council.

These comprise the vision for the entire site including more detailed information about the first phases of the development, which could deliver 540 new homes, a two form entry primary school, community hub, care home and public open space. Obsidian Strategic will be undertaking a comprehensive local consultation around the proposals, before submitting a planning application for the first phases of development later this year.

Philip Scott, Director of Planning at Obsidian Strategic, says: “Chichester is facing a housing crisis; we need to provide more homes, including affordable homes, so that local people are not priced out of living in the beautiful area in which they were raised. However, there are very few sites available that are well located to the city and do not adversely impact Chichester Harbour, which has protected status. Drayton Water is one of just a few sites around Chichester that is relatively unconstrained. It is a restored site having previously been used for sand and gravel workings – just the sort of site that should be redeveloped. It is a sustainable location, close to the city and adjacent to recent new developments, plus it has the space to accommodate much needed community and social facilities, including a site for a new primary school. The site is identified as being suitable for a housing-led mixed-use development in Chichester’s emerging Local Plan and we look forward to working with the council and the local community over the coming months to bring this important development forward.”

Obsidian Strategic has submitted a pre-application advice request to Chichester District Council.