Chichester, Horsham and Mid Sussex districts have been cited as possible locations during a debate by the county council's strategic environmental services select committee. There was also a suggested alternative in the form of several small settlements, rather than one big one, in which it was suggested that 800 proposed new homes for Horsham and Mid Sussex districts should be shifted into Chichester and Arun. But the final decision on which course to recommend to the South East Regional Assembly will be taken at a later stage by the full council, following cabinet level consideration. County councillors strongly opposed the idea of 'bolting on' new developments to existing towns and villages. If the proposed south east plan goes ahead, it means a total of 58,000 new homes will have to be provided in West Sussex over a 20-year period. Environment director Kieran Stigant told the committee that 44,000 could be accommodated through existing plans and permissions, and around 2,000 through small-scale gradual growth. This left a requirement for 12,000 which would cause the problem, involving greenfield development, if the south east plan went ahead as it existed. Full story in West Sussex Gazette, September 22