Ferring chalet fury

People in Tamarisk Way say the plan to knock down a bungalow at the end of their road and build three properties in its place would be an "over-development" of the area and totally change the landscape of their street. They have been supported in their fight by Ferring Parish Council, Ferring Conservation Group and Ferring Residents and Owners' Association. All have written to Arun Council's planning department to object.

Owen Tweedy, who has lived in the road for three years, said: "The development will completely alter the landscape of the road.

"It is totally against our village plan. It is completely outrageous. It is a free country and

this developer wants to make a profit, but we have to oppose it.

"This development is not going to be of affordable houses. When completed, these houses will probably be sold for around 375,000.

"There are elderly people who have lived here for years who will just get blocked in.

"We are all planning on trooping along to the planning meeting and we have elected somebody to speak for us when this matter comes before the commitee."

Ed Miller, of Ferring Conservation Group, said: "This application is the latest in a long string of attempts to knock down one perfectly good bungalow and build three in its place.

"It is being tried all over Ferring and I am glad to say most of these applications are refused. Ferring Conservation Group opposes all these attempts at over-development, which threaten to destroy the character of the village and the open spaces that are so important to us and the wild life.

"The village has just published its parish plan, which speaks out very clearly against this sort of development."

Peter Evans, chairman of Ferring Parish Council, added: "The parish council considers this a gross over- development of the site. It is a very narrow cul-de-sac and this development would totally change the look of the cul-de-sac forever.

The company behind the development, B.C Building Consultants Ltd, declined to comment.