Aldwick flats get the go-ahead on single vote

A single vote has enabled a development of ten flats in Aldwick to go ahead.

Dawn Hall used her casting vote to permit the scheme to replace Moonrakers in Dark Lane after a tense debate among councillors.

Mrs Hall's deciding move came after Arun District Council's development control committee was tied six votes to six, with one abstention, about granting planning permission for the proposals.

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Failure by Mrs Hall to use her casting vote as the committee's chairman would have seen the application fail because it lacked the majority needed for approval.

The rare use of the chairman's deciding power came after the committee had debated the proposals for a second time.

The first occasion, last April, ended with councillors requesting an independent traffic assessment of Dark Lane to find out how the extra traffic generated by the two-bedroom flats replacing the current detached house would affect safety.

They declined to grant planning permission until that information was received.

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The consultants' report stated Dark Lane could cope with the extra traffic without any significant risk to road users. This backed the assessments by county highways officers and the consultants used by the applicants, Mr and Mrs J Bristow.

Council planning officer Jonathan Parsons warned that councillors

refusing the plans because of fears about road conditions would be

difficult to defend.

He said: "I would be very worried if there were highways reasons for refusal because I believe there would be serious risk that, if the applicant goes to appeal, we would not be able to sustain the case."

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Committee members made it clear they were unhappy with the prospect of additional traffic along Dark Lane, which leads to the beach and lacks a pavement.

Ricky Bower said he would be happy to take the planning inspector at an appeal along to the area, "I would be pleased to have the inspector drive down Dark Lane in his car and I would drive along in mine and see if we can pass each other. It would be impossible," he stated.

Elaine Stainton said: "I totally disagree with the highways reports.

"We have to give consideration for children going to the beach in buggies, disabled people in buggies and people walking down there.

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"It's such a narrow road and it's always been like that for years and years and years."

But Nick Wiltshire said: "We are making a decision with our hands tied. We have very little choice but to approve this application."

Councillors had received objections to the plans from Aldwick Parish Council, Aldwick Preservation Society and 44 letters from individuals.

What do you think? Send a letter to [email protected] or leave a comment below.

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