Welcome to the Villages Action Group

The Villages Action Group, VAG, is here to encourage informed debate about the proposed large-scale housing development being discussed under the Local Development Framework process by Arun District Council, within the villages of Aldingbourne, Barnham, Eastergate, Norton, Nyton & Westergate.

Update re LDF, November meeting

John Penfold, Harold Hall and Peter Briggs were amongst the public at the latest LDF subcommittee meeting that took place on 12th November.  Discussions about the evidence base led to agreement that the 2005 Employment Needs Study was not relevant to the current economic climate and needed revisiting.  This could delay the LDF process further than the previous estimate of February 2010.   Further discussion about the transport policy revealed that there are various issues that need raising with WSCC including the actual number of cars that are being driven in the Arun District, and which roads can be upgraded once housing sites are agreed.  The junction study and infrastructure study have still not been presented to the members of the sub-committee.

A new planning application for part of the Bognor Relief Road to be elevated – 500 metres long, and 8 metres off the ground, has now been received by ADC.  This together with question marks over the dualling of the rest of the A259 between Drayton and Bognor, and how increased traffic on the A29, including how the Woodgate Crossing is going to be dealt with, is no doubt giving the Planning Officers plenty to ponder in the next few weeks til the next meeting next place. 

 

UPDATE re LDF PROCEDURE

Both John Penfold and Mike Turner were present at the recent LDF Sub Committee Meeting at ADC on 13th October.  At that meeting it became clear that members wished to have more debate about important factors influencing the Core Strategy decision for example density, sewerage and education provision.  Subsequent to the meeting, it has been agreed that the Core Strategy decision will now be postponed until February 2010, to enable more debates to take place. If you have concerns you wish to raise, you should email info@villagesactiongroup.org or you may telephone either Melissa Briggs or Jean Goad, both of whom are on the LDF sub committee. 

New pages are currently being written for this website to provide more details on related subjects eg education (effects of major new development on local schools), and transport (effects on the A29, B2233, A259 and A27).   As of today social housing requirements may change, bearing in mind new lending restrictions on mortgages related to local salaries coupled with higher than average house prices in this area. 

Watch this space.

1st October – Eastergate Parish Council meeting report

Eastergate Parish Council was well attended by several members of the public, the Chairman of Aldingbourne Parish Council, John Penfold, and the Chairman of the VAG, Mike Turner, as well as District Councillor Jean Goad.  Dr. Peter Carter was installed as the new Chairman.  John spoke of the benefit of Parish partnership in dealing with the problems of the LDF and locating permanent Gypsy & Travellers  sites facing all residents.  Mike followed with a brief explanation of the re-invigorated VAG website. He explained that the new website is now in the form of a Blog, and anyone who wishes can leave a comment.  (Libellous, inappropriate or rude comments will not be published.) He also pointed out that the VAG had recently found out that a Traffic Flow study commissioned by WSCC for the Villages area had looked at the possibility of an Eastern Relief Road.  This would re-route A29 traffic across a new crossing, east of Woodgate, with a road between Westergate and Eastergate villages, and a new spur road to Barnham. This was the first time such an idea had been seriously considered during the present LDF discussions, although it had been mooted originally more than 20 years ago. Following a question from the EPC as to how it could be funded, he confirmed that it would require around 2,500 houses to be built in the near vicinity of the road.

Update re progress of LDF process in the Villages area

The Local Development Framework (LDF) process and finalisation of the Core Strategy is due to be ratified at a full Arun District Council meeting on 9th December 2009. The local residents have still not been able to take part in any meaningful debate about possible transport plans or housing locations. We recommend that you read some of the following documents and bring your concerns to the next Aldingbourne Parish Council (6th October) or Eastergate Parish Council (1st October) meetings if you wish to make your comments known.

The Strategic Transport Modelling Study, by WSCC, dated April 2009 includes interesting information about a possible Eastern Relief Road, with accompanying 2,500 housing units; click here to view and see pages 22 and 23

To read Aldingbourne Parish Council’s submission to Arun District Council, click here.

To read The Villages Action Group, VAG,  submission, click here.

The Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment has now been made available to the members of the Arun District Council and will be appearing on its website for public information shortly.  Once it is publicly available we will show a link to it from this website.

Hallam Land Management proposal

We had a great response to the request for urgent emailed objections to Hallam’s proposals, so thanks to all who responded. The Parish Council meeting on the 2nd June 2009 was attended by 50-60 residents all of whom were concerned about proposed development. Read the meeting comments in the post below.

Hallam Land Management have published, in April 2009, a Masterplan Document ‘Land to the West of Westergate’ which proposes large scale residential expansion with up to 1500 new houses and a by-pass road. Click here to download.