Council opposes 250-home plan in Yapton

Yapton Parish Council has sent a detailed seven-page objection letter to Arun District Council, attacking the proposals for farmland behind the village’s St Mary’s Church.

Andy Faulkner, chairman of the parish council’s planning committee, said: “The parish council represents the views of local residents who have already spoken out loudly and clearly against any more large scale development in the village.

“The delightful setting of the historic St Mary’s Church in one of Yapton’s conservation areas will be destroyed if this development goes ahead. It is simply an opportunistic application.

“These homes are not wanted or needed in Yapton and we trust the district council, when it determines the application, will see through it and refuse to grant planning permission.”

In its objection letter, the parish council says it sees no merit in the proposed development, which is located outside the defined built-up area where the countryside is protected and new development is strictly controlled.

Residents have previously voiced their concerns at the application by the landowner Keith Langmead, raising fears about increased traffic, flooding risk and a lack of facilities.

However, Mr Langmead stressed the housing development would be sympathetic to the ‘village-feel’ of Yapton.