Arun District Council looks to buy land for jobs and businesses

Senior members of Arun District Council have agreed to consider a detailed report about the compulsory purchase of Oldlands Farm.

They asked their officers to prepare the information as soon as possible in which the steps and costs to pursue a successful compulsory purchase order are set out.

The intention is to buy the 23ha site on Shripney Road so it can be available for business and jobs.

The decision was taken in private at a meeting of the council’s cabinet.

A report by chief executive Nigel Lynn stated the council had allocated the land for a business park in 2003.

It had been decided in principle four years later to consider an order but no further progress had been made.

“Since then, a number of significant developments have occurred, but no active action from the landowner has materialised into an approved and operational development.

“It is now considered the only course open to the council is to reconsider the use of a CPO,” his report said.