Rustington Golf Centre housing development: 'It will be an isolated community'

A public inquiry – hearing the appeal from developers wanting to build 170 homes on the pitch and putt course – began today (Tuesday, September 6) at 10am.

It comes after Arun District Council rejected plans for 191 new homes on a golf course in Rustington. The decision was backed by MP Andrew Griffith after more than 300 residents submitted objections to the plans.

Barratt David Wilson (BDW) Homes resubmitted plans to build on the golf course – but with fewer homes than the first time around.

Residents were invited to ‘bring some placards, costumes and noise’ to mark the start of the eight-day event by showing the planning inspector the ‘strength of feeling against the proposal’.

Protesters, including representatives from Angmering Parish Council, met outside Manor House in Littlehampton. They were joined by district councillor, Andy Cooper.

Nikki Hamilton-Street, parish council chairman, read out a statement.

She said: “This development clearly will have no safe link to the parish of Angmering it sits in, Rustington to the south, East Preston to the east or Littlehampton to the West.

"It will therefore be an isolated community, creating isolation for the individuals that live there, affecting their physical and mental health, as well as not identifying with any one of the existing communities from which to gain support, therefore creating a greater reliance on their cars to gain this support.”

What is being proposed?

Plans include planting, 396 parking spaces, 253 cycle spaces, open space, and a new access road from Golfers Lane.

A range of detached, semi-detached, and terrace housing up to two and a half storeys in height are shown on the plans.

A new cycleway to connect to the existing one along the A259 and a pedestrian crossing at the roundabout to the south east of the site are also proposed.

Of the new homes, 50 (or 30 per cent) would be ‘affordable’.

Although the par 3 course would be lost to the development, the par 70 course, 18-hole adventure golf course, café and other features would remain.

The developers argue that the plans will be ‘major contribution’ to the delivery of new homes required in the district, adding that it will be ‘affordable housing’ in a ‘high-quality setting’.

They added that it will be suitable for older people and people with disabilities as well as delivering a ‘beautiful and high-quality residential environment.

Highways, cycle and pedestrian improvements were also stated as reasons to approve the application, to ensure ‘greater connectivity to the retained golf centre’ for the ‘wider existing community’.

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