Residents oppose plans for 26 homes in Selsey as ‘entirely inappropriate’

The application to develop the land, an L-shaped area behind East Beach Road, has been submitted to the council by Seawards Properties Ltd.

A single access point for vehicles would be created on what is now a grass track off Park Lane – just one metre away from the bedroom of residents Ian and Billie Abbatt, who said they would be impacted by the noise and loss of privacy.

“It’s going to be horrific,” Mr Abbatt said.

The couple moved there three and a half years ago for health reasons, attracted by the clean air and the views of the field behind them – which they said was home to deer, geese, rabbits, buzzards and foxes – where the new development has been proposed.

“We’ve spent our lives saving to move here,” Mrs Abbatt said. “We’re going to lose the whole reason we came down here.”

Andrew Hogg, who also lives at Park Lane, described the development as ‘entirely inappropriate’ and said the proposed access road was ‘laughable’.

“There is no way two cars could pass abreast here,” he said.

Park Lane was already extremely busy in the summer, with visitors to the beach parking up on the pavement, he said.

Mr Hogg also raised environmental concerns, adding: “I think it’s setting a precedent for building closer and closer to Pagham Harbour, which should remain inviolate.”

Meanwhile Timothy Kinross, who lives at East Beach Road, raised concerns about the flood risk.

More than 70 letters of objection to the proposals have been submitted to the council so far.

In the application documents, the developers said the new homes – eight of which would be affordable – would make ‘a modest, yet important, contribution’ to help address the ‘significant under supply of housing’ in the area.

The site would feature an ‘ecological buffer’, including open space for residents to enjoy, which would help encourage biodiversity.

A spokesman for the developer said: “Seawards are working closely with the Planning Authority on the application at Park Lane, Selsey and are required to provide a wide range of reports to demonstrate how concerns are addressed within the application.

“Reports are tested thoroughly in a robust planning process - including visual impact and appropriateness, vehicle numbers and highways safety, flood risk management and impact on wildlife.

“As a small local developer, Seawards pride itself on providing high quality homes in developments which encourage wildlife to flourish, and we welcome resident input to ensure a well thought out site is delivered to meet Local Plan and resident needs.”

Search reference 20/03126/OUT on the council’s planning website to see the plans.