Access road plans for fire-hit A27 site are branded '˜excessive'

A house destroyed by fire could be replaced by two new homes '“ but plans have stalled over concerns a new access road is '˜overkill'.
Fire crews at the site, which was hit by fire last year. Picture by Eddie MitchellFire crews at the site, which was hit by fire last year. Picture by Eddie Mitchell
Fire crews at the site, which was hit by fire last year. Picture by Eddie Mitchell

Scores of residents objected to the demolition of the Old Shoreham Road property, on the Lancing Manor roundabout, replacing it with two new houses and a five-metre access road.

Existing access onto the A27 would be closed in favour of the new slip road – but residents feared it would lead to further development of the site, which could exacerbate flooding issues.

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Addressing Adur District Council’s planning committee on Thursday, Bill Freeman, of Lancing Manor Network said: “Two semis is acceptable – but how on earth can a full five metre-wide road be justified to service just two small garages and weekly clearance of waste bins at the rear of those semis?

“This long hammerhead of a road into the site’s a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

“This large extended road is just the prelude to further back lot development.”

The plans followed five previous refusals, with initial plans for four dwellings.

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But council officers resisted proposals because of drainage concerns at the rear of the property.

Planning officer Gary Peck said discussions with the applicant and West Sussex County Council’s highways department had taken place over the suitability of the access road – but county preferred it to the existing access.

The district council’s refuse manager supported the new road, including a turning head, which would enable convenient collection of bins.

Widewater councillor Geoff Patmore said: “You have got two houses with two bins and you are building a five metre road with a hammerhead to access two bins. That really is excessive and overkill. Nonsense, in fact.”

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Newly-elected councillor George Barton said he was ‘thoroughly confused’ about the need for the new access road, which would necessitate a tight, 180-degree turn onto the A27.

But Mr Peck again emphasised this was the county council’s preferred system. The committee unanimously voted to defer the application for negotiations with the applicant over the road.