Goring Gap commercial plan should be refused, according to council officers

The proposals, submitted by Christopher Dixon, include overnight camping for kite surfers and sea swimmers, a car park, food and drink stalls, toilets, a children’s play area and space for community activities.

But officers say the range of activities would change the character of the area and harm the open green space between Goring and Ferring.

A total of 360 objections to the plans have been submitted, compared with five letters of support.

The council has also raised concerns about road safety, with West Sussex County Council asking for more information about how vehicles would enter and leave the site.

The application has not yet been decided because of the outstanding highway concerns. Mr Dixon has since appealed against the council, after their failure to make a decision by their original deadline of August 19.

Council officers are now recommending that the authority contest the appeal, arguing that the plans would have been refused anyway.

The site is in a designated Local Green Gap which is an area protected to help keep settlements such as Goring and Ferring separate and preserve their character.

Officers say the proposed facilities, equipment and space for parking would harm the openness of the gap, with the concentration of objects considered to be ‘intrusive to this rural setting’.

They also say the plans have not shown how the development would protect and improve wildlife and the surrounding green space.

Although the proposals include setting aside land for wildlife and producing natural green energy, officers believe these benefits would not outweigh the harm to the area.

The application is due to be discussed by the planning committee on October 28. Any questions must be submitted by Friday, October 23.