Chichester Harbour Management Plan (2019-2024) Third Review
As a protected landscape, there is a duty to prepare a Management Plan for Chichester Harbour National Landscape every 5 years. Although this is a joint statutory requirement of the four neighbouring Local Authorities, of Hampshire County Council, West Sussex County Council, Chichester District Council and Havant Borough Council, collectively they appoint Chichester Harbour Conservancy to oversee the development of each Plan on their behalf.
The Management Plan is the single most important document for Chichester Harbour. It sets out an agreed partnership framework for the management of the area. Looking after Chichester Harbour is vitally important. The 29 square miles of landscape has a delicate balance of interests, from internationally important habitats and species, to a long and proud history of sailing and boat building. With 8,700 residents and over 1.5 million visitors every year, it is essential to have a Management Plan that is fit for now and the future.
The current Management Plan incorporates 19 Planning Principles, which were prepared to guide development in and around the National Landscape. The special qualities and policies within the Management Plan are a material planning consideration.
Work is underway on a new Management Plan for the period 2025-2030. A public consultation will take place in the summer of 2024. In the meantime, the Management Plan for 2019-2024 has been extended by 12 months, subject to a light touch review. The new document was adopted by Chichester Harbour Conservancy on 29 January 2024 and thereafter submitted to the Local Authorities.
Current Documents
Chichester Harbour Management Plan (2024-25)
Chichester Harbour Management Plan Annual Review 2023
Chichester Harbour Management Plan (2019-24) Third Review
Landscape Character Assessment (2019)
State of the AONB Report (2018)
Independent Assessments (2019)
Independent Assessments Annex (2019)
Statement of Community Involvement (2018)
Planning Principle 19: Houseboats
Priority Views Study
In 2019 the Conservancy commissioned David Hares Landscape Architecture to provide an independent appraisal of the likely visual impact that the emerging housing allocations in the Chichester Local Plan would have on the AONB, the South Downs National Park, and on historic views towards Chichester Cathedral. The full report and appendices are available to download below.