Yapton ‘would retain village feel’ even with 250-home site

The proposals are for a 22-acre housing development on agricultural land to the north of the village, comprising a mix of two-storey, two, three and four-bedroom dwellings.

Up to 30 per cent of the properties would be ‘affordable’.

The scheme went on show to villagers at the Yapton and Ford Village Hall and received a mixed reaction

Patrick Hedges, of Downview Close, said he had reservations about the size and scale of the designs and its impact the village.

“It’s a lot of houses to squeeze into a fairly small village,” he said.

“I’m not really that keen on the proposals, if I’m honest.”

However, landowner Keith Langmead – who has employed agents Strutt & Parker to implement his plan – said properties would be introduced incrementally and not all would be built at once.

He added that the layout and location of the development had been carefully planned so it would have the least noticeable impact on traffic flow through the centre of Yapton.

Mr Langmead explained that, in the coming years a set number of homes needed to be built across the district.

He said: “At the moment we have the South Downs National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in the north and the Chichester harbour in the west, really limiting where developers can build.

“I lived in Yapton for the first 25 years of my life and I believe my design is the most sympathetic plan and that it will hopefully retain that essential ‘village-feel’.

“I have done my best to make sure there is plenty of green and open space for the village to enjoy, which many developers wouldn’t have done.”

Planning permission for the development has not yet been sought from Arun District Council, but the proposals unveiled on Monday showed two plots of farmland between Ford Lane and North End Road being converted for the housing development.

However, a further 40 acres would also be landscaped and used as a public green, known as St Mary’s Park.

It would run south, beside Church Road and would join the King George V Recreation Ground.

Mr Langmead added that the increased traffic generated by the development could reach vital link roads like the A27 to the north and the A259 without drivers having to pass through the heart of the village.

He also said plans included a number of footpaths and cycleways through the village, which he hoped would limit short distance car journeys through Yapton by new residents.