Residents are storing up planning worries

WITHOUT wishing to promote argument over the contents of my letter (Gazette, April 18), and the response to it by Arun District Council’s assistant director for planning and economic regeneration Karl Roberts (Gazette letters, April 25), may I make a few remarks in consequence?

My letter was formulated on behalf of those living in close proximity to Morrisons’ new supermarket in Wick, and with the resulting intrusion and danger in the minds of people, occurring since its opening earlier this year.

The matter drew upon the opinion of a residents’ group meeting which took place, as offered by Mr Roberts with the enforcement officer and members of the county, district and town councils in attendance.

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The resumé of the background to the planning application process, quoted in the Mr Roberts’ response, was previously well appreciated by those present beforehand and relevant to their concerns.

Nevertheless, I am sure they are troubled with Mr Roberts’ belief that the traffic patterns there are unchanged, as verified by the highways authority 2011 transport assessment.

Furthermore, their worries were heightened when the planning authority saw no necessity to reject Morrisons’ application to incorporate changes to the conditions they had previously enacted, or that staff parking with the subsequent inadequate tree screen should go unchallenged.

Recent information leads me to believe the protracted signal pedestrian safety precautions are awaiting county procedures, and are at the moment no more than in the 2013-14 train of schemes for implementation.

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May I remind your readers that my earlier intention was to highlight the lack of cohesive powers within authorities when acting over the effects of delivery upon approvals.

Derek Hulmes, Littlehampton town councillor for Brookfield ward

Wick