Arun district councillors have backed plans for developer contributions to fund local infrastructure after raising concerns over the future of NHS facilities in Littlehampton.

The council’s Planning Policy Committee agreed to recommend the Infrastructure Investment Plan (IIP) for 2026-29 to the full council, at its meeting on Thursday, September 3.

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge placed on planning applications that is used to support local development.

The updated plan discussed in the meeting includes 10 projects on a priority shortlist that have been assessed and are eligible for CIL funding.

Arun district councillors have backed plans for developer contributions to fund local infrastructure

placeholder image — Arun district councillors have backed plans for developer contributions to fund local infrastructure

The largest of them proposes £5.2m towards the A259 Bognor Regis to Littlehampton corridor enhancement scheme.

This scheme is led by West Sussex County Council and is worth a total of £46.5m.

The plan also includes a £3.045m contribution towards Littlehampton Waste Recycling Centre, with work set to begin in September 2027.

A £1m of CIL funding will also go to the Palmer Road Sports Hub in Angmering.

Other projects on the shortlist include £35,000 towards refurbishing the play area at Woodlands Recreation Ground in Rustington, £85,000 to the Arun West Family Hub and £100,000 towards the redevelopment of Littlehampton Fire Station.

The council said seven of the 10 projects are ready to begin, while the A259 scheme, waste centre and an extension to King George V skate park are not expected to proceed until 2027.

In addition, the plan also sets out a Baseline Longlist of 32 projects which have not yet secured CIL funding.

These include an Arundel to Littlehampton walking and cycling route, a new district leisure centre, improvements to the level crossing on Ford Road and a number of proposed GP surgeries.

The council said that projects on the longlist could be considered for CIL funding but this will depend on availability and existing commitments.

Councillors raised concerns during the meeting over two NHS projects which had been proposed for removal from the longlist.

The projects which relate to a proposed primary care centre in Littlehampton and an extension to the town’s existing Health Centre were removed from the longlist at the request of NHS estates.

Councillor Richard Bower said: ‘I am not prepared to vote this through if these two items are being removed, even though it may be the NHS that’s removing it. We don’t agree.’

Councillors questioned the decision and agreed to retain the projects on the list, subject to further review in 2027.

The committee also unanimously agreed to ask the leader of the council to write to the NHS to clarify the future of healthcare facilities in Littlehampton.

The committee’s agreement will now be followed by consideration and final approval at the Full Council meeting on November 11.