LETTER: '˜Actions speak louder'

I also read the minutes of the Arun District Council planning committee held a couple of weeks ago. A 3,500 square metre retail unit was permitted on land at the Rustington Golf Centre. Councillors also permitted an outline application for a new Marks & Spencer food store along the A259 between the Windmill and Body Shop roundabouts. This even though councillors were advised this was against planning policies as there is a suitable town centre location available in Littlehampton. This is the old Waitrose store with its own car park.

These sites along the A259 are car-orientated with most unserved by public transport and a few only served by a bus between 10am and 2pm Monday to Friday.

Of course Littlehampton is going to have to adapt by moving forward with more food, drink and leisure and no doubt more flats in the town. However, is there a link between the appearance of all these retail outlets out of town along the A259 and the fact that we now struggle to buy mens clothes and shoes in Littlehampton, for example? I think so. It has not been by accident and as far as the Arun Growth Deal is concerned I would suggest actions speak louder than words.

Finally if this is the way things are going to be then there must be a requirement for these new stores to put on transport for those who are unable to drive to them.

Councillor Derrick Chester

Liberal Democrat,

Littlehampton Town Council,
The Manor House

Church Street, Littlehampton

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