Worried villagers voice concerns with MP

A group of almost 50 campaigners from across Climping met with Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP Nick Gibb on Sunday afternoon. The meeting came amid fears that plans to extend the industrial estate closer to the heart of Climping could destroy the village’s rural character.

The proposal, by Sabil Ltd, would see vacant land to the west of the Rudford Industrial Estate on Ford Airfield being developed.

If approved, a new 2,063sqm ‘general open storage area’ would be built, the boundaries of which would press right up to Horsemere Green Lane – something which has outraged villagers.

Speaking after his meeting with the residents, Mr Gibb said: “It’s very important to preserve the rural feel to Horsemere Green Lane which is why the tree line separating the Rudford Industrial Estate from the residential area is so important. It’s so important to reflect and understand the very real concerns of the local residents.”

The boundary of the plan would run from Apple Tree Walk in the east right the way through to Wooldridge Walk in the west.

Angus McIntyre has lived in the village for more than 15 years and is opposed to the plan.

The former Arun District Councillor said: “This application would significantly compromise that integrity and we stand to lose the countryside feel and character that surround and embody our parish.

“Climping needs to maintain its own identity and not start some inexorable slide towards merging with the surrounding areas, thus creating a large and unidentifiable urban sprawl.”

The meeting also saw representatives from Ford and Climping parish councils as well as campaign organisation the Clymping Field Protection Group.

Apple Tree Walk resident Steve Cotterill, 63, was one of the villagers to join the afternoon.

He said: “This is the biggest threat the village has faced since the Ford Eco-town. We simply cannot afford to let this pass.

“If we do, it could open the floodgates to further developments that would utterly obliterate the village we have come to love.”

Since being contacted by the villagers, Mr Gibb has written to the chief executive of Arun District Council to highlight the residents’ fears.

So far a total of 45 people have objected to the planning application.

The scheme is also opposed by both Ford and Climping parish councils.

The plan is set to be debated by councillors sitting on Arun’s development control committee.

No date has yet been fixed for this.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LittlehamptonGazette

3) Follow us on Twitter @LhamptonGazette

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Littlehampton Gazette - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.