Plans for a scaffolding yard in Littlehampton have been approved, subject to conditions, after councillors went against planning officers’ recommendations to refuse.

Arun District Council’s planning committee voted on the recommendations with six votes against, three abstentions and one in favour.

The application sought to retain the change of use of agricultural land in Toddington Lane to a scaffolding yard.

The site is already being used by the business for scaffolding and equipment storage and a number of portable buildings.

Plans for a scaffolding yard in Littlehampton have been approved. Image: Google

placeholder image — Plans for a scaffolding yard in Littlehampton have been approved. Image: Google

Richard Plank, the applicant, said: “Today, P and O scaffolding employs 59 scaffolders and our sister company, P and O brickwork, employs 117. Together, that’s 176 local jobs.

“Instead of simply recruiting already skilled scaffolders, we train local people.”

Officers had recommended refusal based on concerns over noise, drainage and flood risk, as well as the appearance of the site.

The report stated the yard was out of character of the nearby area and also highlighted the potential noise from the loading and unloading of vehicles.

Drainage officers from the council said there was a lack of substantial evidence to show that the proposed infiltration system would work and that the development would not increase flood risk.

The application had received support from Littlehampton Town Council which highlighted the employment opportunities that the business brought to the local area. A petition with the application also received 394 signatures in support.

The site has an enforcement history with two previous notices issued as a result of a lack of planning permission for the site. However, they were subsequently quashed due to an issue with the wording of the notices.

Councillor Sue Wallsgrove (Green, Barnham), who proposed the approval, said the council had a ‘moral obligation’ to keep the site open for business as a result of the local jobs the company provides.

Councillor Richard Bower (Con, East Preston) proposed a deferral of the application until concerns raised by the planning officer could be considered with further evidence, but this was dismissed.

Councillors instead approved the application subject to conditions that restrict working hours in order to limit noise for nearby residents.

Those hours will be 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays, with the additional clause of no work on Sundays or bank holidays.

Planting will also be required to help hide the development from neighbouring homes.