Assurance inadequate

It was explained that 1,000 homes would be needed to finance the scheme, which would provide flood defences for the 70 homes at risk from flooding because the Environment Agency would do nothing to protect the residents there.

Further to this came the West Bank vision for the future, a £200m marina development, as well as a recreational yachting lagoon cut into the Climping Gap and a boat building heritage site, plus new club facilities, shops, restaurants, chandlers, sail training and a boatyard.

Like the idea of moving the Windmill Entertainment Centre and swimming pool sites, this vision for West Bank has no financial backing. In the present climate, 1,000 houses are unlikely to produce the financial backing required.

The scheme for 134 caravan pitches was turned down last month for reasons that apply to this development, too, and in particular infrastructure problems such as drainage and roads, also affecting valuable wildlife. Councillors wanted to protect the Climping Gap, an unviolated ancient way from West Beach (a Site of Special Scientific Interest), up to the top of the Downs.

This society was formed 40 years ago to protect the Climping Gap from housing development. Wilf Daggett, founder member, whose letter appeared in last week’s Gazette, is fully supported in his views by society members. It remains to be seen whether the local plan will defend the Climping Gap from housing development.

The matter of housing numbers in the draft local plan is a complete muddle. Legislation on the Localism Bill is slow to come down and previous pro-housing legislation is still in place. The local plan is due to be adopted in 2014, but legislation regarding communities’ wishes does not seem to have reached us yet.

Chaos could allow this unwanted development through, which would be the thin end of the wedge for housing into the Climping Gap and Arun’s gateway to the South Downs National Park.

The strategic Climping Gap is an area developers have sought to build upon for at least 40 years. Assurances are inadequate. It must be safeguarded in law through the local plans.

Diane Bayley, chairman, Littlehampton Civic Society

Bayford Road

Littlehampton