Arun’s plan is branded a ‘disgrace’

Councillor John Charles told Arun District Council’s full council meeting he was opposed to thousands of homes, allocated for the Five Villages area, which includes Barnham, being built.

He said: “This council appears to want to destroy not only agricultural land but a way of life that people have chosen.

“We’ll destroy homes for a new road, even though people do not want to leave those homes. We will create new bottlenecks on the A29. But worst of all, we will destroy villages and create a town that no one wants.

“The villages in my ward will gain nothing from this local plan and it is a complete and utter disgrace.”

However, councillors voted 38-2 in favour, with 12 abstentions, to agree the remaining sections of the local plan.

Angmering councillor Dudley Wensley said Arun needed a solid plan to act as a protective shield against developers.

Council leader Gill Brown agreed, adding the plan would not only give Arun protection from developers but from other authorities who could not meet their own housing requirements.