Littlehampton called to vote in vital referendum

This is the dilemma facing Littlehampton people next week as they take a crucial vote on the town’s neighbourhood plan referendum – the results of which could shape Littlehampton’s future for the next 15 years.

The question which some 20,000 residents will be eligible to answer on October 15, will be: “Do you want Arun District Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Littlehampton to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

The results could see Littlehampton following in the footsteps of Arundel, which became the first town in the West Sussex to approve its neighbourhood plan, in April this year.

Littlehampton’s own design has taken a considerable amount of time and debate for Littlehampton Town Council to draft.

However, if it is rubber- stamped, it will see more planning powers being delegated to the town council and, ultimately, to those living in the area.

It will give Littlehampton more of a say on planning policies such as where new homes and offices should be built and how to ensure that improved health and leisure facilities are delivered.

Littlehampton’s mayor, councillor Jill Long, has been campaigning with a number of community group for the plan and is urging as many people as possible to use their power to vote.

Mrs Long, who is chairman of the steering group of the neighbourhood plan, said: “The Littlehampton Neighbourhood Plan not only represents the culmination of the work led by the town council but also the considerable weight of information local people have provided over the last two years.

“In taking this plan to referendum, we hope we are giving people the opportunity to vote on local issues.

“I am very proud to have been a part of this process.”

Those who are unsure as to what the plan could do to potentially benefit Littlehampton are being invited to an information day, which is being organised by the town council tomorrow (Tuesday 7).

The event will take place at the New Millennium Chamber, in Manor House, Church Street, from 1pm until 7pm.

Residents will have a chance to ask questions and find out more about the referendum.

For those unable to make the day, there is a chance to submit any questions to the council via email, at [email protected]

Alternatively, people can call the Manor House on 01903 732063.

The plan was originally scheduled to go to referendum in May after it passed an independent examination in February.

However, the town council did not agree with some of the modifications proposed by the examiner and this delayed the process until agreement could be reached.

Arun District Council, as the planning authority, was the only organisation with the power to override the examiner’s decision.

After much debate, Arun agreed with the town council in reinstating a number of policies which had been deleted.

To view the plan, see here.