Proposals could pit parish against parish in war to avoid new homes

Battling parishes around Bognor Regis could be turned against each other in the fight to avoid more housing, councillors have been warned.

The alarm was raised as Arun District Council agreed to stage a six-week public consultation period about sites for thousands of new homes.

Bersted councillor Simon McDougall said he feared that each area would promote the benefits of another to avoid having their fields concreted over.

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"I fear we will be putting community against community," he stated.

He backed the decision to promote 'NW Bognor' as one of the options only because it was made clear that other sites would be considered.

"I'm not sure enough evidence exists to make Bersted an even bigger dumping ground for housing," he stated.

"'NW Bognor' has, in the past, been promoted as a site which would aid regeneration in Bognor. I fail to see the link at this stage between the site and the town centre."

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More worrying, he continued, was the impact of even more homes on the surrouding road network. Improvements to the A259 to accompany the extra homes were essential.

Cllr David Biss (Orchard) said: "This process will turn parishes against each other.

"But, in the end, we will get some idea of what local people want. I think it will be a pick and mix of options."

Cllr Ricky Bower (East Preston), who is in charge of Arun's planning work, said he hoped that battles between differing areas could be avoided.

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"There is no single option which sets one community against another," he said. "I am sure that is something which members here certainly do not wish to see.

"The consultation process will take place across the district. This will clearly involve individuals in areas who would like to see development and those in areas which do not want to see development.

"I would like to see people behave responsibly in this consultation."

Council leader Cllr Gill Brown (Aldwick East) said she was aware that tough decisions would have to be made.

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She added: "Difficult choices will have to be made whatever options or combination of options are finally decided upon."

The need for extra housing between 2006-2026 has been imposed on the district council by the government.

The latest options have been delayed by almost two years by uncertainty from the government about the number of homes to be provided.

The eventual figure is 11,500 dwellings. Of these, 3,450 have been granted planning permission in the past three years to reduce the scale of the development to come.

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Some 1,500 homes are also expected to be built on already developed sites around the district as part of the overall total.

What is proposed?

The consultation will start on February 2 and focus on three options:

* 2,500 homes in 'north west Bognor' '“ north of Chalcraft Lane in North Bersted '“ along with offices and commercial premises, new community facilities, a new road and better bus links; 2,000 homes north of Littlehampton; and 500 homes at Angmering. These are sustainable urban extensions in line with government thinking.

* a 5,000 home settlement at Ford, with 4,000 new jobs, community facilities, a new railway station and better public transport; and

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* 2,500 homes at Barnham, Eastergate and Westergate, with jobs created, better public services, roads and transport links;

* 1,500 homes at Toddington, Littlehampton; and 400-900 homes on greenfield sites elsewhere.

Councillors will also consider other locations put forward during the consultation.

An independent inspector will examine the council's proposals on housing sites, to be made after the consultation, and make the final decision.

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