Arun backs Pagham's blueprint for future

The parish's village design statement has been backed by Arun District Council's senior members.

The council's cabinet welcomed the statement as reflecting the views of people in the area.

Their backing needs to be endorsed by all Arun's councillors at their meeting on January 9 before the statement can be taken into account when planning issues are debated by Arun.

But this approval is likely to be a formality.

The statement was prepared by Pagham Parish Council after extensive consultation. This involved comments from 470 residents.

The statement covers matters such as housing, roads, open spaces and footpaths.

It lists what residents would like to be taken into account when future developments are considered.

A similar document has also been compiled by East Preston Parish Council. Middleton was the first to complete its statement about three years ago.

Arun head of planning services Howard Cheadle said the statement had no legal powers. But it provided an authentic guide for district councillors to consider when they made their decisions.

Cllr Ricky Bower, in charge of Arun's planning department, said the effort had been worthwhile for the parishes to prepare the statements. 'These are the words of the local inhabitants with regards to the character of where they live.'