MP urges Yapton villagers to speak out against 250-homes plan

Residents showed their concerns regarding large-scale housing in the area as they packed into a meeting chaired by MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton Nick Gibb.

The impassioned meeting on Friday (September 27) came after developers unveiled early plans for 250 new homes on farmland to the north of St Mary’s Church in Church Lane.

Mr Gibb said: “It seems every time I come to this area it is because of concerns raised about development.

“This meeting and the concerns raised are no different to many others I have been, too.

“Countless areas are facing the same as Yapton.

“I hope what can come out of this meeting are practical ways the community can unite to fight this development and any other like it.”

Mr Gibb said he was keen for a committee to be formed to lead the way in the battle against the new homes.

A straw poll taken at the gathering showed those present were unanimously against the development.

Residents said they feared the effect large developments would have on the village.

Worries raised included increased amounts of traffic on roads not fit for purpose, the inability of the existing sewerage system to cope with extra connections.

A lack of space at local schools and doctors surgeries was also highlighted.

Resident Derek Kemp said: “This development is not suitable for Yapton, it would be dreadful for the area. We must fight tooth and nail to stop this.”

Vicky Newman said villagers needed to band together to ‘beat the bulldozers’.

“We need everyone when the planning application comes forward to write letters of objection.

“We need to show Arun District Council the strength of feeling there is in Yapton against this sort of development,” she said.

• Two landowners who say they have expressed their commitment to working with the village and meeting Yapton’s neighbourhood plan objectives, are exhibiting their ideas on Wednesday, October 9, from 2pm until 8.30pm in the club room at Yapton and Ford Village Hall.

Residents are invited to come along to the event and view and discuss the plans.