Chichester to consult on new climate action plan

A feasibility study for a new cycling and walking route across Oaklands Park is one of a number of options put forward by the council

Chichester District Council is to hold a consultation on its second climate emergency action plan over the summer.

Its first plan was put in place after the council declared a climate emergency in 2019.

It is due to expire in 2025, so work is starting on a new plan, which will run until 2030.

The council has produced a list of options for the plan, including street tree planting schemes and green travel plans for new developments.

Proposals were discussed during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports.

Chichester's current climate emergency action plan focuses mainly on carbon emissions generated by the council, but Jonathan Brown, cabinet member for environmental strategy, said "the low-hanging fruit has been plucked".

The new plan will focus on how the council can use its position to encourage and drive wider change across the district, he said.

He added: “We want to consult on the proposals and to make them as meaningful as possible and so have produced a list of options that we think are worth pursuing, because we think they are things that we can influence.”

The list also includes improving the energy efficiency of private housing stock, creating a Local Area Energy Plan, and funding a feasibility study for part of a new cycling and walking route across Oaklands Park.

Mr Brown added that a public consultation would help the council decide what options to pursue.

The consultation will run from July to September.

A draft version of the plan will then be drawn up by April 2025 with the council giving final approval by July 2025.