Chichester Public Realm
The Chichester Public Realm Project is part of the Chichester Growth Deal, a partnership between West Sussex County Council and Chichester District Council. The scheme will revitalise North Street and East Street, two key routes connecting the historic Market Cross with major shopping, leisure and business destinations, while protecting Chichester's unique historic and architectural identity. The project is supporting investment in the city centre through public realm improvements and enhanced digital infrastructure, including improved fibre and mobile connectivity for residents, visitors and businesses.
What we are doing
The scheme will deliver a range of improvements to North Street and East Street, including:
Replacing all paving and improving accessibility.
Increasing planting and greenery.
Upgrading street furniture, including benches, bike racks, bins, planters and wayfinding.
Improving electrical supplies for markets and events.
New arrangements for disabled parking bays at the end of North Street and East Street.
Delivering improved fibre and mobile connectivity. (For more information about OpenDigital project in Chichester)
Together, these improvements will help create a safer, more welcoming and inclusive city centre.
Why we are doing it
The project supports the Chichester Growth Deal by investing in the city centre to improve public safety, accessibility and the overall quality of the public realm. More greenery, better paving and upgraded street furniture will help create an attractive environment that residents, visitors and businesses can be proud of. The improvements are also designed to support the long-term future of the city centre by encouraging more people to visit, increasing footfall for shops and businesses, and creating flexible spaces for markets, events and community activities.
Proposed design
Public consultation highlighted the importance of balancing these improvements with the protection of Chichester's historic character and heritage. Feedback emphasised the importance of creating clear, welcoming spaces that serve residents, visitors and businesses while maintaining the city's unique identity.
In response, the proposed design introduces a high-quality palette of paving materials, planting and street furniture to create a more attractive, accessible and durable environment. The scheme has been refined through the consultation process, with feedback helping to shape the selection of materials, landscaping and the overall design approach.
Below are the latest artist's impressions showing how North Street and East Street could look once the improvements are complete.
Main East Street
East Street
East Street facing The Cross
North Street Buttermarket
For a more detailed view of the CGI images, please visit the CGI images section on the side bar.
Latest update
The tender evaluation process is nearing completion, and a contractor will be appointed and announced in November 2026. The detailed design was completed in July 2026 and includes new planting and resurfaced paving, upgraded street furniture, improved electrical supplies for markets and events, enhanced digital connectivity infrastructure, and revised disabled parking arrangements.
West Sussex County Council is working closely with Chichester OpenDigital infrastructure team to improve mobile coverage and network capacity across the city centre.
To minimise disruption, digital infrastructure works, including improvements to fibre and mobile connectivity will be delivered ahead of the main construction programme.
Some areas may require temporary reinstatement following these works. Any temporary surfaces will be replaced as part of the main public realm construction programme when the final paving and street improvements are delivered.
Construction is expected to start in spring 2027 and complete in 2028.
How to Get in Touch & More Information
If you require any of this information in an alternative format, then please contact us by phone 01243 777100 or via email at ChiPublicRealm@westsussex.gov.uk (please note that this mailbox is monitored periodically) and we will assist you. If you are deaf or hard of hearing and have an NGT texting app installed on your computer, laptop or smartphone, you can contact us on 18001 01243 777100.
For more information about the accessibility of this website, please see our Accessibility tab (opens in new window) at the foot of the page.
Businesses can find project updates and further information through the Chichester BID Newsletter: Chichester BID Newsletters
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Phone 01243 777100
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Scheme Details
- What will the scheme deliver?
- Who is delivering the scheme?
- How is the scheme being funded?
- What stage is the project at?
- How do these proposed plans fit in with wider plans for the city?
- How will I know when works will progress?
- What materials have been chosen?
- Will there be any alterations to parking spaces?
- Do the proposals plan to improve digital connectivity?
- What benefits will this project bring?
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Public Engagement
