New homes will cause '˜traffic chaos', motorcyclist warns

Hamish Neathercoat lives in Apple Tree Walk in Climping. On Friday, December 12 last year he missed a hospital appointment he had waited three months for due to traffic delays on Horsemere Green Lane.

He posted dashcam footage of the delays on YouTube, which illustrate that even a motorbike could not fit through the traffic – and feared that emergency services may struggle to access homes along Horsemere Green Lane if others were built nearby.

Now Mulgrave Properties LLP has submitted plans to build 300 homes on land south of the road – and Mr Neathercoat said it was ‘beyond comprehension’ that the number of homes were double the original plan.

He said: “It cannot be allowed to happen without some major redevelopment to the local transport infrastructure. The traffic is already in chaos and it is unsafe.”

At a meeting last Tuesday, Clymping Parish Council announced it would lodge an objection with Arun District Council, who will decide on the planning application.

Colin Humphris, parish council chairman, said residents were concerned about ‘the appalling state of roads and junctions in the village that are already at crisis point during the morning and evening rush hours’.

The basis of the objection would be that the development goes against Clymping’s Neighbourhood Plan – a legally-binding vision for the village – which Mr Humphris said asks for ‘development on a small scale to meet local village needs’.

David Miranda, co-chairman of the Clymping Field Protection Group, said between 110 and 120 people attended the meeting, including district and county councillor Ian Buckland and Hilary Flynn, the assistant of MP Nick Gibb.

Mr Miranda said he welcomed the parish council’s objection, and added: “Sadly it has become apparent that some residents wishing to move have seen interest in their homes diminish to almost nothing as a result of this proposal. It is already impacting negatively on our lives.”

Karl Roberts, director of place at Arun District Council, said: “We are very aware of the increase in traffic related to new developments and the challenges that brings to Arun residents.

“Transport infrastructure is a key consideration in the assessment of any development proposal and we liaise closely with colleagues at WSCC who are the highway authority.

“This will determine whether the scheme is acceptable or whether alterations to the road network are necessary to address any concerns.”

Mulgrave Properties LLP has been approached for comment.