Defiance as homes approved

The abstention by Bersted councillor Simon McDougall was the final act of defiance in the face of 650 homes.

His refusal to back the inevitable approval of the first 100 of the dwellings was consistent with a stance which has opposed them from the start.

But his solo opposition to the development on land next to Chichester Road made no difference to the outcome.

The other 14 members of Arun District Council's development control committee backed the plans of Berkeley Homes.

Tuesday's special meeting of the committee came eight-and-a-half since Arun unveiled proposals to earmark the site '“ and one for 700 homes at Felpham '“ for development.

Known collectively as site six, the proposals sparked particular concern in North Bersted.

This included a High Court victory for Bersted Parish Council, an open air protest meeting in the summer sunshine, a march in London, several other demonstrations, meetings and protests and at least one parish poll.

But the campaign was dealt a deadly blow by the government's backing in principle of the scheme in November 2006.

This was followed by the detailed permission granted by Arun on Tuesday.

No members of the public were present to see the historic vote taken at 5.55pm after almost two hours of debate.

Berkeley Homes will move quickly from now on. It expects the first of the houses and flats to be occupied this December.Detailed plans for the remaining 550 homes '“ from Berkeley and fellow developer Persimmon '“will be approved in the coming months.

The first batch of 100 dwellings will range from two bedroom flats to five bedroom houses. One in three will be affordable housing for either shared ownership or renting.

The centrepiece of the scheme will be a distinctive building, based on Sir Edward Lutyens' manor house at Sonning.

A large pond will act as a public amenity and a source of drainage for the area. Land for health facilities and a school will be set aside.

The roads around the new estate will be designed for a 20mph speed limit and to put pedestrians first.

This aspect sparked the one series of comments of the meeting. The roads will be narrow to discourage speeding but the 6m width means motorists behind a bus will be unable to get past at bus stops if traffic is coming the other way.

Berkeley Homes' Chris Mears said the junctions would have curved widening to enable buses to get round them easily.