Airport boundary issues examined by planning inspector

The boundaries set out in the draft policy for the Shoreham Airport site were discussed by the planning inspector for the Adur local plan yesterday (February 2).
Shoreham AirportShoreham Airport
Shoreham Airport

An examination into the council’s local plan began on Tuesday at the Shoreham Centre and is expected to last for two weeks.

The draft policy for the Shoreham Airport site allocates 15,000 square metres of employment generating floorspace including a mix of business, industry and storage use on the north-eastern side of the airport.

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The policy also supports training uses at the airport located at the southern point of the site.

Planning inspector for the examination David Hogger asked whether the council would consider a plan showing a revised site boundary which extends southwards along the bank of the River Adur.

James Appleton, head of strategic planning and economic development at Adur District Council, said the council would object to the proposed amendment relating to boundary changes as it was ‘not consistent’ with the council’s evidence base.

Mr Appleton added: “New development at the airport must be designed to minimise the impact on the green space and ensure key areas are retained.”

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Planning developers also discussed the need to retain views of the South Downs from the south side of the airport site.

David Johnson from the Sussex branch of ‘Campaign to Protect Rural England’ said: “We are talking about reclaimed land on this site that has seen years and years of development.

“We want to ensure that views from the southern end of the site, or from the Ropetackle, are not disturbed by large buildings at the airport.

“We want buildings to camouflage with the background of the South Downs rather than big white buildings that look out of place.”

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The council said it would work with Natural England, the Environment Agency and the Sussex Wildlife Trust to retain ecological value on site.

Mr Appleton added: “A drainage system would be used to reduce polluting run-off into the River Adur as well as green roofs to minimise landscape impacts to ensure ecological benefits.”

For more information on the Adur local plan, please click here.

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