Building above Tarring flats ‘becoming a war of attrition’

The proposals, to add one floor of nine flats on top of St Andrews Gardens, a three-storey block in Church Road, was turned down earlier this year and dismissed by the planning inspectorate when it went to appeal.

It was resubmitted after changes in planning law allowed developers to add up to two floors to flats – with Worthing Borough Council given very little scope to refuse.

But the plans were turned down by the council’s planning committee back in September.

Now the developer has resubmitted the prior approval application saying it has amended the design to overcome the previous reason for refusal.

However Martin McCabe, Lib Dem borough councillor for Tarring, said: “I oppose this application and have called it in for debate by the planning committee. This is just the latest in a long line of applications at St Andrews Gardens. It really is becoming a war of attrition.

“I am in contact with residents, who are devastated about yet another cynical attempt to exploit recent planning reforms. Nothing much has changed regarding the application. It would be a scar on Tarring, the consequences of which we would live with for generations to come. I’m working with residents. We will not give up in opposing this application.”

To comment visit www.worthing.gov.uk/planning using code NOTICE/0017/20.