Ferring offices approved after design tweaks

In March, members of Arun District Council’s development control committee deferred the application for the silo, at the former McIntyre Nursery, because they were unhappy with the corrugated sheet metal and grey render suggested for the walls.

Most had no problems with the principle of the application – just the way it looked.

At an online meeting on Tuesday (May 26), members were presented with a new design, based around timber cladding, which they described as ‘a vast improvement’.

Billy Blanchard-Cooper (Lib Dem, Brookfield) said: “This a really good example of where planning does work incredibly well.

“With just those few tweaks, it has completely transformed that building. I for one think that looks much nicer.”

While Ricky Bower (Con, East Preston) agreed the materials were ‘more in keeping with the location and will improve the look of the site’, he still had concerns about the principle of the development.

His views were shared by the Ferring Conservation Group, which submitted an objection to the council, raising concerns about ‘commercial development in a quiet country lane’.

As well as the office building, the plans include a boundary fence and parking for six cars.

To view the plans in full, log on to www.arun.gov.uk/planning and search for FG/135/19/PL.

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