Facts on the plan

In response to the letters (Gazette, December 31) from Mr Sax and Mr Thomas on the proposed development, I would like to clearly state the consistently-held position of the Greencore Group towards the delivery of the related infrastructure and benefits to the community.

This development is proposed on land currently occupied entirely by old glasshouses, some industrial premises and open storage areas. None of the site is in the flood plain.

The development will provide much- needed new housing, community and recreational facilities, high-quality landscaped open space and access to the countryside and significant improvements to the local transport infrastructure. It will also play a significant part in helping to regenerate the town centre.

The proposals include a new road from the East Street roundabout, north alongside the Academy, crossing the A259 and then bridging the railway line, linking into the development and back to Mill Lane.

There will be an improved bus service to the north of the town, the newly-built development at Toddington and Wick Street, and new cycle and footpaths into the town centre from the north and northwards out into the countryside to the Black Ditch and Poling through the development.

This new transport infrastructure will greatly ease the pressure and jams on the Lyminster level crossing and enable a direct link into the town centre for cars, deliveries, cyclists, pedestrians and buses.

In addition, there will be a new primary school, a substantial new community centre, commercial and local retail premises, formal playing fields, informal playing areas and recreation space and a new dedicated youth facility, replacement and additional allotments, relocated and larger household recycling facility, and much-needed affordable housing.

This proposal is the sum of nearly two years of direct influence from extensive public participation and consultation with the residents of Littlehampton, detailed environmental and transport assessments, and close liaison with all the local authorities involved.

Furthermore, the site is proposed for development in two out of three of the Options for Growth published by Arun District Council early last year (the other option being the Ford Eco-Town) and has received very little adverse comment from the community.

Whilst I can appreciate the anxiety expressed by Mr Sax and Mr Thomas that smaller developments may in the past have failed to provide benefits locally, this scheme is of a scale capable of funding and securing the benefits outlined above, all of which will be secured by legal agreements with Arun and West Sussex County Council to ensure their delivery if planning permission is granted.

I hope this helps clarify our proposals and my client's commitment.

Tony Burton

Burton Property

Bishops Waltham

Hampshire

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