Proper vote, please

Many of the public at the July development control committee meeting felt that deferring the decision to focus on access was a way for the committee to avoid a “real” vote on the controversial development. It would seem more democratic and proper to vote for or against the proposal as a whole.

At the meeting there was no discussion (at least publicly in the interests of transparency) of issues about which there are clear public concerns, and which our elected councillors have a duty to scrutinise on our behalf.

For example:

- Official objectors (including speakers at the meeting) referred to planning policies which suggested the Courtwick development was in an undesirable location, contravening guidance on sustainability.

Presumably, these plans took considerable time, money and public consultation, yet no discussion among councillors followed as to their significance and bearing on the proposals. Is all this simply rhetoric, disregarded in favour of rubber-stamping whatever applications come through?

- A variety of commercial properties are vacant locally, often long-term, so how can the Courtwick development claim to be providing an “unmet need”? A point worthy of discussion at least.

n Tourism is important to Littlehampton as a source of income and jobs – as such, Arun must consider Littlehampton’s appearance to incoming visitors. The Courtwick development would impact significantly on this due to its location – currently the train pulls into Littlehampton station past a beautiful rural view of open fields, pheasants, and cows grazing – on the very field which will be a housing estate if the developers have their way. Visitors by train would instead be looking at brick walls, Tarmac and washing lines as they arrived – not an attractive first impression.

- Many have voiced concerns over developers withdrawing or reducing their community responsibilities once building had begun, with no legal way of holding them to account. Beaumont Park and McCarthy & Stone were cited as examples. What will prevent similar happening at Courtwick?

As a local resident who reliably turns out to vote in the hope that it will actually make a difference, I do not always expect decisions to go my way.

I do, however, expect that the people elected to work on my behalf scrutinise plans and legislation effectively, ask probing questions and give careful consideration to issues and decisions that affect our communities and quality of life so significantly.

Ms Sam Walker,

Kingfisher Drive,

Wick