‘Residents must continue to have a say as part of planning reforms’

As far as I am aware the relaxation of the planning rules does not, and indeed should not, absolve the local planning authority of their duty of care to ensure that any plans being put forward by developers meets the necessary requirements for density, parking provision, landscaping and indeed for affordable housing.

They must also take note of any objections from interested/affected parties in respect of the proposals. They would be derelict in their duty if they did not do so. That being said the process does need to be speeded up, it is cumbersome and over complicated.

Doing away with the Section 106 requirements is a good thing because it gave developers a way of avoiding bits of the planning consent they didn’t like or thought might compromise their scheme in some way.

However, what does need to be tightened up is developers getting planning permission and then not developing it for years.

A case in point is the Roffey Homes site on the corner of Grand Avenue and West Parade, which has been lying dormant for several years.

This kind of thing needs to be stopped if there is a shortage, as we’re always told, of good housing in Worthing.

Having seen the proposals for Union Place I thought it was supposed to be a residential development, not a multi-storey car park!