Attempt to build Eastergate homes rejected

Defiant councillors have rejected the latest attempt to develop the gardens of houses in Eastergate.

They overruled the advice of their planning officers and backed residents by refusing to approve the current scheme for 13 houses.

They said the proposal crammed too many buildings, with an unacceptable design, into the area which would create an intensive form of development harmful to the character of the neighbourhood

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They also agreed the removal of a row of leylandii along the site’s western boundary would enable the development to be seen from countryside and damage the appearance of that part of the local gap separating Eastergate and Barnham.

But they decided to drop their protests about the impact of the proposed houses on the villages’ sewage and drainage systems.

This was because of a lack of objections from the Environment Agency and Southern Water.

Jean Goad, one of Barnham’s district councillors, said: “I fully share the concerns of Eastergate Parish Council and everybody who lives in Barnham and Eastergate.

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“We are not ‘Nimbys’ but this application gives nothing back to the community.

“The density might be acceptable in planning terms but 13 houses are being shoe-horned behind five houses, mostly of Edwardian character.”

She said she was angry with the lack of support from the Environment Agency and Southern Water. Villagers knew the villages’ drainage and sewer networks failed to cope.

Her comments began those from members of Arun District Council’s development control committee last Wednesday (JAN 12) as they staged a two hour debate about the plans by Southcott Homes.

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The scheme involves four two-bed semi-detached houses, four three-bed semi-detached houses, four four-bed detached houses and a five-bed detached house.

It is the fourth attempt in four years to develop the site of just under half a hectare at Greenoaks on Barham Road.

The previous application was rejected by the council last May. Its flood risk assessment was deemed to be poor, the intention to provide an on-site sewer plant was unacceptable and the replacement tree screen was deemed to be too close to the intended housing.

The refusal is the subject of an appeal by Southcott Homes to the Planning Inspectorate. Council planning officer Jonathan Parsons told the committee the three reasons had been overcome by the developer in the current application.

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The flood risk assessment was acceptable, a connection would be made to the main sewer and the leylandii would be replaced by native trees and shrubs.

Mr Parsons said: “In principle, the proposed development is acceptable in terms of size, siting, design and access.

“The flood risk assessment has demonstrated satisfactorily the proposal can be developed without causing potential flooding.

“There is no longer an unacceptable risk of pollution to water quality from the previous proposal to use an on-site sewage disposal system.

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“The parks and landscape section are no longer concerned the proposed tree screen on the western boundary would result in pressure from the proposed residents for removal of the trees in the future as the recommended 10m strip has now been removed.”

The council also lacked a five year housing supply as required by the present planning law.

But Cllr Sylvia Olliver (Bersted) said: “Let’s listen to the people of Barnham. Jean Goad represents the area, knows the area and has lived there for many years.

“We should always respect the views of the local councillor. We must stop this scheme and say enough is enough.”

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Cllr Jacqueline Maconachie (Aldwick West) said: “I can’t support this application. It’s absolutely ludicrous.

“It will be of no use to the community and cause nothing but damage.

“Many of us on the council for a number of years will know the flooding in the Barnham, Eastergate and surrounding area every time there is one or two short, sharp showers becomes absolutely intolerable.”

Cllr Mark Butler (Littlehampton River) said: “There is a shortfall in housing but we don’t need to have this shoved down our throats.”

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Cllr Nick Wiltshire (Littlehampton Beach) was the only committee member to support the application. He said: “There is no reason to question the Environment Agency and Southern Water’s statements.

“We are really in a Catch 22 position and I am going to have to give approval to this particular development.”