Villagers air their views about Angmering’s future

Following the announcement of the proposal to construct 300 homes in the village, by David Wilson Homes and Barratt, more than 400 concerned residents attended a two-day drop-in at the village hall held by the group drawing up Angmering’s neighbourhood plan, which should give the community greater control over future developments in the village.

The proposed housing scheme, on land north of Worthing Rugby Club, was a key talking point during the sessions, with most villagers attending keen to see the development go ahead, so long as the developers took their concerns on board.

David Wilson Homes and Barratts are being urged to take an active part in the planning process to ensure that all members of the community are given the chance to comment about the development, as part of the neighbourhood plan scheme.

The housebuilders held their own consultation event earlier this month, outlining their proposals, but were accused by campaign group Save Angmering Village (SAV) of ignoring the neighbourhood plan.

Sue Ware, one of the co-ordinators of SAV, believed that the majority of residents felt “incensed” by the level of housing being put forward.

She claimed the plans were not sustainable, an opinion shared by more than 100 people who have so far used an SAV voting form to register their opposition to the proposals.

She added that there were concerns about the impact 300 extra homes would have on the traffic flow in and around the village.

However, David Wilson Homes and Barratt argue that their proposals for the site would help to meet ongoing housing needs.

The purpose of Angmering’s neighbourhood plan, which is likely to be one of the first to be implemented in the country, is to set out the level and type of development, as well as any other needs the village has over the course of 15-17 years.

The plan, if agreed by a referendum of village electors and finalised later this year, would then serve as a template for the standard of all future developments in the village. To take part in the neighbourhood plan, call 01903 772124 or e-mail [email protected]