Bersted

Bersted is represented on the County council and on Arun District by Councillor Simon McDougall.

Simon's Blog and Website.

Most Liberal Democrat campaigns in Bersted are featured on the Bognor Regis page.

Bognor Regis page.

There are Bersted parish councillors that are members of the Liberal Democrats, although there are no political groupings on Bersted parish council.

Labour's decision on site 6 puts all greenfields in Bersted under threat

The decision by Labour secretary of state Ruth Kelly to potentially approve housing on policy site 6 will open the floodgates for developers in Bersted. In a campaign led by two of Bersted's Liberal Democrat councillors, Bersted Parish Council has put up a valiant fight against these proposals for 8 years.

Yet, despite a full-scale public enquiry, the inspector reccomended to Ms Kelly that development should go ahead. With Arun District Council required to build over 9,000 houses up to 2026, the future landscape of our community is set to be a concrete jungle, with little infrastructure and maybe no A&E for the thousands of new residents

We are currently working to get the best deal on infrastructure for the community in the light of development going ahead, but you can rest assured that we will continue to fight for the protection of Bersted's semi-rural character. The releif road that is proposed as part of the development is set to be 2.3 metres (7 foot) high on an embankment and will prove to be a scar on the local landscape.Despite the fact that we highlighted that the route was wrong and would be detrimental to the North Bersted conservation area.

Labour's government ministers have ridden roughshod over public opinion in their drive to destroy the beautiful countryside of West Sussex. Remember that Liberal Democrats listen to the concerns of residents and represent their interests whilst Labour ignore and carry on regardless. Whilst we recognise the local housing need, we strongly believe that the sites have to be suitable, unlikely to flood and accessable.

No wonder people feel angry, disillusioned and alienated by the political process!

Bersted Parish Council.