Zone shields harbour from housing

The area attracts thousands of visitors

An agreement has been signed to give Chichester Harbour greater protection from development pressures.

West Sussex County Council will create an undeveloped buffer zone by transferring blocks of land in its ownership to the Harbour Trust.

The protective zone will sit between the Harbour's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and any future housing or highway developments.

Details of the amount of land to be transferred are still being worked out.

Council leader Henry Smith described the agreement as "historic".

'Under threat'

He said: "Chichester Harbour is such an important area for very many reasons, including its unique landscape and wildlife.

"It needs as much protection as possible from development pressures, and this agreement recognises that."

Sir Jeremy Thomas, chair of the Harbour Trust, said: "There is no doubt that the qualities that make our harbour a national asset are under threat.

"Ever-increasing demands from central government for more and more houses, resulting in the use of sites that cannot sensibly sustain them, must be resisted."

The county council has worked with the trust before.

In August 2008, a nationally important wildlife habitat was transferred from council ownership to the trust, ensuring its environmental future for the benefit of generations to come.

The 177-acre Eames Farm on Thorney Island was transferred on a 999-year lease at a peppercorn rent.