CPRE Sussex applauds rejection of Chatsmore Farm development

CPRE Sussex, the countryside charity, congratulates Worthing Council on the decision to refuse planning permission for the 475 homes mixed development on the 30 hectare Chatsmore Farm, west of Goring.

The Persimmons 475 homes outline application for this green site between Goring and Ferring totally contravenes the Worthing authority’s spatial policy to protect this green gap in the current and emerging local plans. This major development would have had substantial impacts on landscape views into and out of the South Downs National Park and the National Trust’s Highdown Estate. Both lie immediately north of the site.  The effects of coalescence of the two communities of Goring and Ferring would be significant.

CPRE has been working for some months with the local conservation groups in Goring and Ferring and Worthing’s Civic Society and had submitted objections to support the local community concerns for the loss of this publicly accessible space which is fundamental to the quality of life for local residents.

The Countryside Charity was unsuccessful in being drawn to speak in objection at the planning meeting on Wednesday 10^th March. If it had been drawn, it would have clearly pointed out the total unsustainability of the scheme with its significant lack of evidence which key stakeholder and other consultees had requested. The Highways organisations were still awaiting more answers to questions of sustainability for road and cycling networks.  Network Rail, the Environmental Health officers and Sustrans, were also objecting or requesting more assessments or consultation to prove sustainability.

Says Bill Freeman, trustee of CPRE Sussex, ‘The applicants claim that the development should be considered in the planning context of ‘the tilted balance’ under presumption of sustainable development because of the authority’s failure to have a 5 year housing land supply.

With so many shortfalls in evidence of sustainability, that argument is simply not credible.

This decision is absolutely the right one for the community and its wellbeing and the preservation of this much valued green space.’

Download:

CPRE Sussex press release on Chatsmore Farm