Warning about effect of new homes on rife

The rife is the main waterway which flows through North Bersted and Bognor to the sea off Longbrook Park in Felpham.

It has been the subject of flood alerts in the past year because of the excessive rain which has swollen its normal flow.

But a meeting in North Bersted was told that 1,000 new homes, and large-scale commercial development, could put it under extra strain.

Tangmere councillor Simon Oakley said Chichester District Council’s latest draft plan proposals were likely to envisage at least 1,000 homes around Oving.

Spaces for employment purposes and horticulture were also likely to be alloted.

“All that area occupies the headwater catchment area of the Aldingbourne Rife,” said Cllr Oakley.

“And, of course, the rife flows through Bersted and exits into the sea at Felpham, where there have been considerable issues with flooding.”

The proposed building would increase the rate of water run-off instead of the rainfall being soaked up.

Cllr Oakley also used the meeting, held by Bersted Parish Council, to discuss how to tackle the problem of flooding caused by blocked ditches and drains.

He also highlighted the effect of the development on the Easthampnett waste water treatment works.

“The plan is to increase its capacity to 3,000 homes,” he said. “It currently has headroom for about 500 homes. The waste will be treated but it will still be discharged into the Aldingbourne Rife and on to the sea with its Blue Flag.”

Accidents, or problems with excess flows, could also see the sewage go straight into the rife as happened at other treatment works, he said. But the works were not due to be upgraded until 2019/20 to mean development was unable to occur before then.

Cllr Oakley warned the development in the plan until 2029 would create a precedent which could signal more building.

Bersted councillor Simon McDougall said: “The bottom line is that water has to go out at Felpham.”