Barnham planning row will cost taxpayers thousands

TENS of thousands of pounds of public money will be spent in the latest clash between two councils over a Barnham site.

West Sussex County Council and Arun District Council are to formally oppose each other once again about the future of the former Angels and Hyde Nurseries.

The county council has appealed to the government about Arun's refusal of outline planning permission for up to 95 homes at the Yapton Road location.

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Arun's councillors are being asked today (Monday, July 26) to allow 40,000 of their council taxpayers' money to be spent defending the decision.

A report by Kal Roberts, the council's assistant director of planning and housing strategy, says in a report it had yet to be decided how Arun should be represented at the inquiry to be held by the Planning Inspectorate.

"Based on recent decisions, it is likely that there will be a desire to instruct a consultant and, therefore, a supplementary estimate is sought at this stage so this process can commence. Fee proposals would have to be obtained for this work," he said.

Members of Arun's development control committee turned down the application from the county council for the housing after a last-minute intervention from the Environment Agency at their meeting on March 31.

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The agency made a rare appearance at the committee to tell councillors the area around the intended estate suffered from overflowing sewage. The situation was set to continue with no upgrades by Southern Water planned for the next five years.

Committee members based their refusal on this decision even though their planning officers had recommended approval in principle.

Cllr Stephen Haymes (Yapton) is a committee member who backed the agency's comments.

He said: "Our whole decision was based on the Environment Agency's comments and the poor drainage generally in the area.

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"It's very unusual for the agency to come to a committee meeting and express an opinion. We had little choice other than to take its expertise into account."

The county council is also set to spend public money on the appeal. A spokesman confirmed it had lodged an appeal against the refusal but he said no further comment would currently be made about the matter would be made.

The appeal will be the councils' latest difference of opinion about Angels and Hyde Nurseries. The site has also been allocated by Arun as a possible location for nine pitches for gypsies and travellers.

The county refused to allow them among its housing.