For the people

Although the planning application is submitted in the name of the developer Gleesons, councillor Mike Northeast (Gazette, December 16) openly concluded that Arun District Council, by way of his steering group, has already adopted the scheme!

Indeed, he is positively “dismayed” that our MP would have the temerity to hold any public meeting without first consulting with his supreme task force.

Unfortunately, judging from previous comments, the Arun cabinet member for planning appears somewhat like-minded.

It might be a little old fashioned to think it is the duty of council members to first obtain and then present the views of their constituents in advance, rather than be told, after a decision is made, what is good for them.

For the record, there are many other Littlehampton councillors who are not so enthusiastically inclined towards those “personal” opinions.

After all, we live in hope that somebody up there can still be listening to the public’s disquiet about every aspect of these intrusive proposals.

Furthermore, the developer has submitted the Courtwick proposals as an outline application, which is a departure from the development plan.

It was made clear that the public meeting held by Mr Gibb on December 4 took place in that context.

From this, it is evident that the views and objections on the development’s potential impact must be confined to the present circumstances in the locality, and those outside benefits being offered should be of no relevance to the arguments.

It would, therefore, be improper to pre-empt the recent exercises now being conducted by Arun over housing targets, together with appropriate infrastructure.

Any premature advantages being sought by the developers in advance of that study must be at risk, since they would no doubt prejudice its forthcoming conclusions.

Please not, the next public meeting is at Wick Hall on January 8, and will be conducted with the same attitude of mind.

Derek Hulmes

Kingfisher Drive

Littlehampton