Latest news with #ArunDistrictCouncil
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Littlehampton's West Green receives multi-million pound refresh
A multi-million pound West Sussex seafront development including a water play area, beach volleyball courts and a climbing wall has officially West Green in Banjo Road, Littlehampton, has received a refresh as part of plans to boost the local economy and provide modern facilities in the development, which opened on Friday, had been backed by more than £7m in Levelling Up funding, and also includes improved pathways and solar panels, while new toilets will also be opened once the facilities are Lury, leader of Arun District Council, said the project reflected "what local people told us they wanted". He said it was a "place for everyone - families, young people, and older residents - to enjoy throughout the year". The council said four food and drinks kiosks at the site will be operated by local cafe's and ice cream shops to provide planting has also been introduced, it said, adding that some areas would be seeded after the warmer summer Norris, government minister for local growth, said: "The West Green will be a brilliant asset for residents and a real draw for visitors, boosting the local economy whilst creating a space everyone can enjoy."
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
The battle for West Bewley Road: Villagers fight plans for 190 new homes saying they will destroy the environment and their livelihoods
Villagers in Sussex are battling to save their 'idyllic country life' from another housing development which would build 190 new homes and 'destroy the environment'. Residents of Bewley Road in Angmering, West Sussex, sent more than 1700 letters objecting to the plans and have even set up a campaign group to raise money to contest the appeal. The developers, Gleeson Land, announced they were appealing immediately after Arun District Council's decision last month to block their plans in a six to three vote against, despite planning officers recommending approving the development. Protect Farmland of West Bewley Road (PFWBR) are now hoping to raise enough money to fight the developers at a public inquiry later this year. Organiser and chair, Angela Collins, looks over the fields from her front room. Her view will completely disappear once work starts - and when it is finished all she will see are more houses. 'The only thing between me and the development is the public footpath', she told the Daily Mail. 'We get bats, swans, badgers, it's a beautiful spot. It will all be gone.' Residents of Bewley Road in Angmering, West Sussex, sent more than 1700 letters objecting to the plans and have even set up a campaign group to raise money to contest the appeal Protec t Farmland of West Bewley Road (PFWBR) are now hoping to raise enough money to fight the developers at a public inquiry later this year Angela is also worried about the environmental impact the development will have, since there is only one proposed access route. 'This development is unsustainable. This is prime, productive agricultural land. 'Flooding is already a well known problem in Angmering. Building on farmland will only make it worse.' Lorries and heavy machinery will have to drive down Bewley Road to get to the site - and if it is completed there are no other proposed access points for new residents. Locals fear that allowing this development to go ahead will open the floodgates to expand the site - and the village. Jo Thompson, a local who has joined the battle against the Bewley Road development, said: 'I'm a town planner, I'm not anti development. 'The planned houses are an overdevelopment in the village, they will put even more pressure on public services, increase traffic and deplete vital farmland. 'The recently harvested farmland produces wheat and rape. This will just be another development which nibbles away at food production in this country.' Residents of Bewley Road are fighting plans to build 190 new homes in beautiful farmland fields next to their homes Jo added: 'I am against development in the wrong places and this development is completely unsustainable in so many ways.' Angmering has seen more than 20 housing developments spring up in recent years. The picturesque rural area is popular with walkers and provides access to the South Downs National Park. But its infrastructure is struggling under the weight of the rapid increase in population it has had in recent years - with the population now at 29,000 and no increase in the provision for schools. Local resident Shaun Lownds, 58, works in security and moved to the area for the peace and quiet. 'We came here to be close to the countryside and have the seclusion. 'That will be all gone if this development goes ahead', Shaun said. He believes the local infrastructure will not be able to cope with more homes. 'There will be vehicles up and down all the time. 'The road can't cope and the lack of shops and school will be a major problem.' Angela Collins added: 'We haven't got the infrastructure to support this development. 'Kids will have to be bussed to Bognor for High School. There are already not enough doctors, and we have safety concerns over access for emergency vehicles. 'Work has really slowed down on the latest housing development and they still have another two years building work planned," Angela said. Angela said that West Bewley Road is the 'last bit of the village which hasn't been developed' and worries that Gleeson Land's plans will join Bewley up with the next village - something she claims neither of them want. But locals say the campaign has brought the community together. Around 150 villagers attended when the plans were rejected by the council on June 11. The campaign has also received backing from their parish council. A spokesman said: 'Angmering Parish Council, in collaboration with the Protect Farmland West of Bewley Road group, is formally participating as a party for the appeal inquiry. 'Our united stance reflects the strong and sustained community opposition, evidenced by over 1,700 submitted objections. They added: 'We are determined to make sure that the voices of local residents are fully represented and heard throughout the appeal process.' A spokesman for Gleeson Land said: 'Following the recent decision by Arun District Council, we can confirm we have lodged an appeal. 'This appeal will be considered through the formal Public Inquiry procedure, which offers all parties an opportunity to make their individual representations. 'We will not be making any further comments until the final decision, following the formal Public Inquiry procedure, has been made.' Arun District Council refused planning permission for the development in June 2025. Gleeson Land's appeal will be heard in October 2025.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- BBC News
Man arrested after swastikas drawn on benches in Bognor Regis
A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage after swastikas were drawn and carved onto benches at a West Sussex Police appealed for information when the offensive symbols were discovered at Hotham Park in Bognor Regis last identified suspect was spotted by an off-duty officer, whose colleagues then made an arrest on Monday after a search of the suspect found three black marker pens and a template kit for a said that a 42-year-old man of no fixed address has been bailed pending further enquiries. More than 50 pieces of park furniture have been vandalised since the start of June, costing Arun District Council thousands of pounds to Ross Beaumont said: "We are aware this damage caused notable upset, along with gaining national media attention, and would like to express gratitude for the public's support in disrupting this behaviour."In response to the damage, the force said it had increased patrols and engagement in the area.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- BBC News
Police investigate swastikas on Bognor park benches
Police are investigating after swastikas were drawn and carved on benches and bins in a West Sussex damage has been appearing in Hotham Park, Bognor, since the start of than 50 pieces of park furniture have been attacked, costing Arun District Council thousands of pounds to Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. Sgt Ross Beaumont said: "This offensive behaviour has caused upset in the community and has led to unnecessary cost and time to repair the damage."Someone must know who is responsible." A council spokesperson said: "We have made it a priority to remove the damage as much as we can, as often as we can."This comes at a significant cost to the council and removes key staff from planned works which provide added value to our parks and green spaces."
The Sun
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Domesday English town is transforming its seafront with splash park, pop-up markets & new walkways in £7.2m makeover
A DOMESDAY English town is transforming its seafront with a splash park, pop-up markets and new walkways in a £7.2m makeover. However, the latest phase in the town's seafront transformation is taking longer than planned. 3 3 Improvements to Littlehampton's seafront between East Beach, South Terrace and Windmill Road got underway in the autumn. The town, seaside resort and civil parish sits in the Arun District of West Sussex. The work is being funded by a £7 million levelling up fund from the government and it is hoped the improvements will attract more visitors to boost the town's economy. The revamp includes new toilets and beach showers, improvements to the car park, including electric vehicle charging points, walkways and new sustainable planting. A new water play area and a pop-up marketplace off Banjo Road with four fixed stalls will also come to the beach. An activity hub is also planned to include a bouldering wall, beach volleyball, petanque and basketball courts. Waterfalls, rock pools and water jets will be installed for the water play area. There will also be social spaces throughout the development to include pergolas, picnic tables and benches, that will be shaded by new trees and plants. However, Arun District Council said the current work to the drainage connection is taking longer than anticipated due to an unexpected obstruction below the ground reports The Argus. Because of this, traffic controls will be in place for 'a few more days'. Trendy English seaside town has rooftop bar that 'feels like the Med' As well as the drainage work, contractors have installed a low railing along the edge of the car park and a windbreak fence around the volleyball area. The barbeques are back on site following their winter refurbishment by Littlehampton Town Council. New picnic benches will soon be arriving and bicycle racks will be placed in different locations around the site. Brightly coloured safety surfacing has appeared around the water play area and the work will continue into next week when the weather is dry. Scaffolding has been removed from the foreshore building but work continues inside and fencing is being installed around the yard area. Contractors have also started to clear the site in Banjo Road, ready for new tarmac surfacing to be laid. It is hoped that, weather permitting, the landscape contractors can complete the remaining planting within the next two weeks. Meanwhile, a picturesque town in Devon is home to one of the UK's most beautiful beaches - complete without arcades and rides. The Victorian town of Sidmouth in east Devon has a 200million-year-old coastline, being the gateway to the Jurassic Coast. Britain's 'trendiest' beach town is also set for biggest transformation in a decade as fresh plans unveiled. And a seaside town with the world's biggest fish and chip shop is about to be much easier to get to. Plus, a UK seaside town crowned top place in the world to take bored kids this summer. 3
