Sompting block of flats to replace garages

The application for the site north of St Peter’s Place, in Western Road, was given a unanimous thumbs-up by members of the planning committee on Monday (May 11).

There was a minor difference of opinion over some of the S106 contributions agreed with the developer – specifically £18,000 to help improve parks and open space in the area.

Some felt the money should be added to the £3m plus pot for the Brooklands Park expansion scheme, in Worthing.

While very close to the development site, others felt the money should be dedicated to Sompting projects.

Stephen Chipp (Con, Southwick Green, Southwick) said: “The residents of that building are going to be using Brooklands Park anyway. Would some of our own residents in Adur be better served by money spent on their local parks?”

Lee Cowen (Lab, Mash Barn, Lancing), described Sompting as ‘quite a deprived area’ and highlighted Hamble Recreation Ground, in Maytree Close, as a possibility for improvement.

He asked how much difference £18,000 would make to a huge project like Brooklands and added: “I just think that it’s better staying in the area because it’s not just the people from this development who will be using it, it’s all people in Sompting.”

The three-storey block of flats will include 75 per cent at affordable rents and 25 per cent in shared ownership.

It will sit 200 metres from the East Worthing Wastewater Treatment Works.

In a report to the meeting, Southern Water raised the issue of ‘potential odour nuisance’ – in other words, people having to live with a pong – and mentioned the need for an odour survey to be carried out.

James Appleton, head of planning, told the meeting there was no indication there will be a problem but suggested double-checking with Southern Water.

He added: “If this zone is affected – or any part of the development – they wouldn’t be able to occupy some of the flats so it clearly needs to be resolved.”

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.