Plans for Findon Valley children and family centre under the spotlight
CONCERNED planners have decided they need more information before they can decide whether to back plans to build a children and family centre in Findon Valley.
At a meeting of Worthing planners at the Town Hall on Tuesday (June 2)many spoke out against plans to build the centre on the site of The Vale First and Middle School in Vale Avenue, feeling it was the wrong place and would affect the lives of residents.
Although the final decision rests with West Sussex County Council, Worthing planners had been asked to give their views – but decided to
defer their decision until their next meeting on June 23.
John Livermore, chairman of the development control committee, said: "By deferring our decision to our next meeting, which will be
before the county council meeting when the final decision will be made,
it will give residents another bite of the cherry to make representations."
Findon Valley residents have been left up-in-arms by plans for the centre, which they claim have been "sneaked through" without proper
consultation.
County council officials want to build the centre at the school, hoping
it will significantly improve the health, well-being and education of
children and families in the area.
But residents of roads surrounding the school fear it will impact on
their lives and house prices, as well as increasing traffic.
They also claimed they became aware of the scheme only when the
school sent a courtesy letter explaining the "positive news" of the development.
Resident John Gillam said: "This would be an un-neighbourly form of
development and would have an unacceptable impact on properties
adjacent to the site. The area is already over-saturated with an
unacceptable level of cars, coaches and lorries."
Another resident, Helen Higgins, said: "It would be unthinkable and
dangerous to have more cars in the area."
Jane Sparkes, of Fifth Ave, Worthing, told the Herald in an email: "My daughter attends the school and I, among many parents and local residents, am angry at the way the school governors have dealt with the proposed centre.
"At no time before the formal proposal was put forward, were the parents
or pupils actually asked if they wanted this on their school site."
Education planning officer Sarah Thorp said at the planning meeting:
"The building has been designed very carefully and noise would be
minimal."
A public meeting was held at the school last Wednesday, so county
council officials could explain more about the facility.
Residents had raised concerns over lack of consultation and it was
announced at the meeting, the consultation period for people to submit
views would be extended to June 12.
-------------------------------------
Click here to go back to Worthing news.
Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.
Email the Herald: letters@worthingherald.co.uk
Click here for the Herald staff directory.
Want to read this page in French, German, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, Urdu or 48 other languages? click here for Google translate.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Worthing
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South west
