Nick Gibb MP backs fight against plans ot build 2,000 houses on the edge of Bognor

Nick Gibb was there as the Chalcraft Lane Urban Extension United Protest '“ or Clued Up for short '“ group held a public meeting. And he was vocal in his condemnation of the scheme.

The Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP was joined by more than 150 people to discuss the Church Commissioners' scheme for land west of Chalcraft Lane.

Ian Palot of Clued Up chaired the meeting and Mr Gibb set out the background and the importance of fighting the development. Later, Tom Frears of Clued Up explained some technical details.

Many residents of the neighbouring West Meads estate and other parts of Aldwick spoke, and there was unanimous opposition to the development.

Mr Gibb said: "The government is forcing Arun District Council, together with all planning authorities in the country, to find sites for thousands of new houses '“ in Arun's case 11,500 houses by 2026.

"Arun is currently consulting the public on where these houses should be but the Church Commissioners have pre-empted that process by submitting their planning application in advance.

"Building 2,000 houses on high-grade agricultural land, concreting over beautiful Sussex countryside enjoyed by Bognorians for centuries, would be an act of vandalism that future generations would regret and condemn.

"We have to fight this planning application with every ounce of energy.

"I urge everyone in Bognor Regis, Bersted, Pagham, Aldwick and Felpham to write to the planning officers at Arun District Council objecting to the plan, and to the Church Commissioners and other land-owners.

"I believe it is wrong for central government to be telling locally-elected councils how many houses to build '“ this should be a matter for councillors and local opinion.

"But until we get a change of government policy we need to fight this every step of the way."

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