Arun appeals are a mixed bag for villagers

Arun District Council had refused planning permission for both developments, of 11 apartments at Broadmark Lane/Vernon Close, Rustington, and 13 houses at Barnham Road, Barnham.

A planning inspector has decided that Arun was right to turn down the Rustington scheme, but the same inspector said the houses at Barnham could be built.

Michael Aldous, in his appeal decision on land at 2 and 4 Broadmark Lane and 18 Vernon Close, three bungalows which would have been demolished to make way for the apartment block, concluded that the new building “would have a harmful impact upon the character and appearance of the surrounding area”.

The extent of this harm, he said, overcame the developers’ claim that the homes were needed because Arun did not have enough land to meet the demand for new housing over a five-year period.

Mr Aldous said the site was in a “sustainable” location, close to shops, public transport and other services, in an area which had been identified as suitable for some residential development, subject to acceptable proposals being submitted.

However, he criticised the apartment block’s design and appearance, describing it as “very bulky”, “rather obtrusive” and “dominating”.

Arun’s development control committee refused planning permission for the housing development at Greenoaks, Barnham Road, Barnham, in January, going against planning officers’ recommendation to approve .

The committee was concerned about the impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, including the adjacent “local gap” between Barnham and Eastergate.

However, Mr Aldous said the scheme was similar to one already approved for the site in another recent appeal and he considered this proposal could be built “without harm” to the surrounding area.