Yapton hit by years of ‘over-development’

Residents are invited to attend a community survey feedback day as part of the Neighbourhood Plan being drawn up for the village.

MP Nick Gibb, whose Bognor Regis and Littlehampton constituency includes Yapton, has agreed to attend the event, which is taking place at Yapton and Ford Village Hall from noon-6pm.

He and other visitors will be able to see detailed findings from the survey, carried out over the past few months to find out what villagers felt about the future of Yapton. About 300 residents – 13 per cent of the population – took part.

Andy Faulkner, co-chairman of the Yapton Neighbourhood Plan Group, said: “A big thank-you to everyone who took part in the survey. Now we’ve had the chance to analyse the information we’re planning to hold the feedback day for people to hear the results and to tell them about our next steps.

“This is a great opportunity for local people to pop in for a few minutes and find out what other village residents have to say about living in Yapton in 2012.”

Residents will be able to see displays showing survey results on topics including housing, transport and travel, shops and businesses, the environment and healthcare provision.

More than 70 per cent of those who completed the survey felt that Yapton had been over-developed in the past 20 years, and almost 95 per cent felt that the existing development boundary should be maintained. More than half of villagers responding wanted to see more effort to attract businesses to the area.

The results will help Yapton Neighbourhood Planning Group to build a community profile, a key part of the Neighbourhood Plan.

The plan is being compiled by villagers, with the support of Yapton Parish Council, to establish a vision for the evolution and long-term sustainability of the village over the next 10-15 years.

The 12-strong planning group’s main aim is to extensively consult the community and local organisations on a wide range of issues which will influence the well-being, sustainability and long-term preservation of the rural community, reflecting the views of the majority of villagers.

Saturday’s event will continue the process of gathering villagers’ views, which are essential if the plan is to be successfully adopted by Arun District Council.