'Not in our control' - No 'links' found between housing development scheme and A29 flooding; council explains unrelated reason for temporary stop notice
No links have been found between a housing development scheme and a severe flooding incident on the A29, north of Bognor, according to Arun District Council.
A29 Lidsey Road has been closed both ways – from Woodgate Road to Lidsey Caravan Park – since around 7pm on Sunday (December 7). Temporary traffic lights were put in place and local buses were diverted, whilst they were unable to serve Westergate, Woodgate, Lidsey and Shripney.
The road had reportedly reopened by Wednesday morning, after successful works to ‘alleviate the flooding’. Building site workers are said to have assisted at the scene.
This comes amid speculation locally that a new housing development contributed to flooding along Lidsey Road – where several private homes were said to be affected.
Concerns were also raised that a local rife had been diverted.
With no houses yet built on the site, locals had reportedly begun monitoring the road themselves – claiming that drivers were repeatedly moving safety barriers put in place around the area.
Work has been taking place on land adjacent to Woodgate Nurseries in Lidsey Road, Aldingbourne (planning references AL/129/21/OUT and AL/143/24/RES).
A spokesperson at Barratt David Wilson Homes Southampton division: “The flooding near Barratt's Woodgate site is historic and is due to blocked ditches outside of our boundary so not in our control.
“The site underwent a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and was designated as suitable for development by both the local planning authority (LPA) and the Environment Agency (EA).”
The developer was recently instructed by the local authority to stop work at the building site – due to a ‘breach of planning control’.
Arun District Council issued a temporary stop notice to Barratt David Wilson Homes (Southampton).
A spokesperson for the council said: "The development in question is not built within the defined flood plain. We do not have any information to conclude that there are any links between the scheme that has recently been commenced, the significant levels of rainfall and any flooding issues.
"The council has issued a stop notice on the developer because they have not discharged the requisite conditions before commencing.
"This does not relate to any diversion of the Lidsey Rife and, after multiple site visits, there is no evidence that this has taken place."
Permission was granted in August 2022 for a residential development with up to 95 dwellings (Use Class C3), informal and formal public open space, landscaping, drainage and other associated works.
West Sussex County Council confirmed on Tuesday that works to alleviate flooding on the A29 at Lindsey have now been completed, and the ‘water levels have receded’.
A spokesperson added: “The road closure will be removed later this evening, restoring full access. Thank you for your patience as we work to restore normal traffic flow.”