The site at Birdham is an edge of settlement site but importantly on a previously developed site. Part of the original site had previously been redeveloped by the executive directors so Merrow Wood were a natural fit to bring forward the 2nd phase. The current use is a garden nursery, caravan park and a residential property. Merrow Wood have worked with Chichester District, and West Sussex County in pre application discussions and have settled on a development solution that will deliver 60 new private and affordable homes. The site is relatively unconstrained from a technical perspective. One planning policy hurdle was the loss of the horticultural use, as part of the pre application process we have undertaken a marketing exercise and commissioned economic viability studies to demonstrate that a new residential use is the most appropriate use for the land. The planning application is due to be submitted in August 2026.