LACK OF FUNDING FOR A27 IMPROVEMENTS MAKE BERSTED DUMPING GROUND FOR HOUSING

6.10.10am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 22nd Aug 2007

Cllr. Simon McDougall - Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Arun District Council

The Labour government stance on not funding major road improvements to the A27 at Arundel is the sole reason why Bersted could potentially be burdened by an extra 1500 houses on top of the 650 already allocated for Policy Site 6. This was the claim made by Councillor Simon McDougall, District and County Councillor for Bersted. Mr McDougall who is also the Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton said "As a direct result of not funding improvements to the A27 at Chichester and Arundel, Bersted has become the dumping ground for the western area of Arun."

The LDF which replaces the local plan core strategy options document is due to go out to public consultation in October. It will go to the full Council at Arun in September to be approved for consultation. Within this document are proposals to build 1500 houses in the Chalcraft Lane area as part of the housing needs for the District.

Cllr McDougall went on to say "There are clearly other options that were looked at in Aldingbourne and Ford both of which had huge potential for development and ruled out because of the A27 situation. In Aldingbourne the potential for a North/South route linked into Bognor Regis, which would have improved the prospects of more economic regeneration in Bognor Regis, has been missed. Whilst at Ford an opportunity to build a complete new settlement, which would have met the complete District housing requirement, has been lost. With government policy being relaxed on strategic gaps the very real possibility of Bog-Chester now exists."