Yapton residents are planning trailblazers

Dozens of them went along to see the results of the community survey which will shape the draft neighbourhood plan for the village.

This is due to be published towards the end of this year to put Yapton in the forefront of the communities around the country.

Philip Robinson, a co-chairman of the Yapton Neighbourhood Plan Group, said this was the result of the efforts of people who had responded to its work.

“We are one of the forerunners in the UK in doing this. This is a brand-new concept.

“We are feeling our way because there is no-one with experience of what we are doing. It’s nice to have a community which has come together like this. I think people appreciate the work that has 
been put in and it’s good to know we are leading the way,” he said.

The group launched its survey in the spring. It closed at the end of May. A total of 380 responses were received. Representing about one in seven people in the community.

The comments about the environment were in line with what could be expected, said 
Mr Robinson.

But the views about business and employment were mixed. “People are unsure if they want to see more businesses in Yapton but there are concerns about it leading to more traffic on the roads.

“It’s the same with housing. Not everyone is saying there should be no more houses. It’s obvious people have taken the trouble to read the survey and think about their answers. This shows people do care about their community and want to have their say.”

The exhibition in Yapton and Ford Village Hall held last month was attended by MP, Nick Gibb.

Those who went along to the exhibition included equine journalist Emma Haines, 21, of Park Drive.

She said: “I want to protect the local greenfield sites. Where I live we are lucky with the environment as it is and we want to keep it like that. There’s quite a lot of building nearby and we don’t want it.

“I’ve lived here all my life. It was really quiet when I was young and it’s got busier and busier.”

Blenheim Road resident Michael Coleman, 71, said: “I don’t want any more houses built in this village.

“There’s more and more traffic going through here. But are Arun District Council going to sit up and listen to us? The answer to that is no. New houses will cause flooding. Arun should know 
that but they have allowed more houses here.”