Current Status
After many rejected applications and a dismissed appeal Barratts’ have withdrawn all pending applications – for now.
Stubcroft Farm Fields, Church Road, East Wittering
Executive Summary
A 16 hectare greenfield site with multiple residential applications for up to 320 houses since 2021
Barratt David Wilson Homes has pursued residential development of this 16-hectare greenfield site at Stubcroft Lane since first signalling intent in a 2017 vision statement to Chichester District Council’s Local Plan Review.
Following a 2021 Environmental Impact Assessment screening, two applications were submitted in August 2022: an outline application for 45 units of sheltered living accommodation, and a full application for 280 dwellings with associated retail and community space. Chichester District Council’s planning committee unanimously refused both in September 2023, citing flood risk, inadequate drainage information, road safety concerns at the proposed access, and loss of best and most versatile agricultural land. Both refusals were appealed, and the Planning Inspectorate dismissed both appeals in November 2024 on the same substantive grounds.
Separately, two further applications were submitted in 2024 — a reduced-scale outline scheme and a renewed 268-dwelling scheme — both of which were later withdrawn. The site remains undeveloped, with no live application currently before the council.
| Key Facts | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Applicant | Barratt David Wilson Homes | Max dwellings | 320 |
| Applications | 6 (since 2021) | Min. floor level | |
| Parish | East Wittering & Bracklesham | Price range | TBA |
| Site area | 16 hectares | Site height | |
| Additional cars (est.) | Additional people (est.) |
Focus area impact · 1–10
Hot potatoes
| Flooding | The problems experienced cannot be resolved by simple means and will require a large capital investment through Asset Risk Management.” |
| Green fields | !6 Hectares of prime farmland. Both CDC and the Planning Appeal Inspector felt this was a significant loss. |
| Environment | Colossal impact with loss of habitat for endangered species such as the population of water voles and .................... Overwintering birds used the field but would now be redirected to another field |
| Sewerage | Already a huge problem across the peninsula. The sheer scale and so additional load and no viable connection. Southern Water advised the site across the road that they could not connect 70 houses through lack of capacity. |
| Transport | One main road in and one road to the Western Manhood. Piggery Hall Lane and Church Road are minor country roads. This site would nearly double traffic on them. |
| Health | One surgery already under huge pressure. Unlike other areas inland there is nowhere else to go to find alternative medical practices. |
| Employment | The two main employers are farmers - covered above and people engaged in Ecotourism. Loss of this field and the general urbanisation reduces the areas' appeal and with it loss of Eco tourists & their business. |
| Education | Two local primary schools and no secondary school |
Stubcroft history
Luken Beck Vision Statement | Jul-17 | 800 houses | EW&B | For Local Plan,
A Vision Statement was produced for David Wilson (Barratt) Homes to justify building about 800 houses on green fields in East Wittering submitted to CDC Local Plan Review. The concept was to build on all the fields from Church Road in the West right through to Bracklesham Lane in the East.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
21/01090 | Apr-21 | 320 dwellings | EW&B | Information only
In a nutshell asking if an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was required. CDC responded that in view of the size of the development that an EIA was required.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
22/02235/OUT | Aug-22 | 45 units | EW&B | Rejected
Barratts submitted two applications on the Stubcroft site. This one was for permission in principle and was clearly linked to 22/02235/OUT. This application was refused by CDC in Sep. 2023 for ten reasons. Barratts appealed that decision and six of the ten reasons for refusal were resolved but the remaining two — flooding and loss of quality farmland — were upheld by the planning inspector so this application will probably not go ahead.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
22/02214/FULEIA | Aug-22 | 280 dwellings | EW&B | Rejected → Appeal →
DismissedRefused by committee 27/09/2023 — same grounds as 22/02235/OUT. Subsequently appealed. Appeal dismissed.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
24/01004/OUTEIA | May-24 | 45? units | EW&B | Withdrawn
Withdrawn by Barratt David Wilson Homes in April 2026.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
24/01044/FULEIA | Jun-24 | N/A | — | Withdrawn
Renewed application for change of use. Withdrawn by Barratt David Wilson Homes in April 2026.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
24/01005/FULEIA | May-24 | 268 dwellings | EW&B | Withdrawn
Renewed application for 268 dwellings on Stubcroft Farm land. Withdrawn by Barratt David Wilson Homes in April 2026.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
24/01044/FULEIA | Jun-24 | N/A | — |