Toddington Bombshell

Alan Foster, the inquiry inspector, said that instead of being developed for housing, the land, between Toddington Lane and The Body Shop headquarters should be earmarked for business use.

Arun initially accepted Mr Foster's ruling, announced in June, but has now decided it would be better to use the site for building homes, as there is already enough land for commercial developments in the district.

The change is one of a number of modifications proposed by Arun to the local plan, which are now open to comments from residents and other interested parties until November 11.

Mr Foster ruled out housing on the Toddington land because it was considered to be too remote from other housing and facilities.

But Arun claims the site is not as remote as the inspector suggested, and links with the existing built-up area could be improved by building cycle paths, pedestrian crossing points and a footbridge.

In his report, Mr Foster said that, if Arun still wished to have housing on the site, the number of homes built should be increased to 300, to meet the increased density demanded by national planning policies.

However, Arun has kept the figure at 180 homes by reducing the area of the land allocated, pointing out that additional homes will not be required during the 10-year life of the local plan. The suggestion is that the remaining 120 homes will be developed later.

The change has also led to a proposed new railway station for the north of Littlehampton being abandoned for the time being, as the housing development would not now be alongside the station site.

Arun's proposed modifications to the local plan can be inspected at Arun Civic Centre, Littlehampton and at public libraries during the consultation period. Comments must be submitted to Arun by noon on November 11.