Angry Ferring residents vent frustration at Chandlers car dealership application on A259

Members of the Ferring Conservation Group felt it would be a “disaster” if the application by Chandlers to use a six-acre site for a multi-use BMW centre including showroom and MOT testing facility, were approved. They believed it would create unchecked urban sprawl and loss of a strategic gap, which they claim runs counter to Arun District Council’s planning guidance.

The site, which is prime grade one listed agricultural land, is practically all that remains of clear space between Ferring and East Preston on the A259, which residents believed should be protected.

Worthing West MP Sir Peter said he “fully supported” residents in their concerns, urging them to contact Arun District Planning department in wring before a deadline of February 21 to register their concerns.

He was joined by a number of other councillors including Peter Evans, who said he was extremely concerned by the siting of the application, stating there were a perfectly viable alternative a short distance away opposite Rustington Golf Centre. As he explained, this site already had permission for commercial garage use and would be far more appropriate.

Ferring resident Laurie Bishop said it would be “a disaster if this is allowed, as we already have chaos on the roads around here, especially with since the arrival of Asda.”