Lancing bungalow plan attracts fierce opposition from residents
More than 100 people have objected to proposals to demolish "newly" rebuilt 20 Firle Road, Lancing, and replace it with three bungalows and an access road on land north of 20 to 40 Firle Road. Previous plans for the same plot involving nine dwellings were refused in 2017 and another scheme for seven dwellings was withdrawn last year after fierce opposition. MP for East Worthing and Shoreham Tim Loughton said he has been inundated with concerns from residents.
There are fears the scheme could undermine the integrity of the development land, made up of compacted chalk layers, which "regularly" sees chalk landfalls, the effect on wildlife. There have also been concerns about the noise of building work, increased flooding, the "enormously towering" nature of the "ultra-modern" designs and the pressure the development would put on the already narrow road. The MP wrote in his objection letter: "The road is too narrow at 4.8m wide (Highways standards is 5.5 metres) to have a new road exit onto it and parking is already congested.
"The road already has water flooding down it when it rains and the steep access slope proposed makes that inevitable. "Given the site is accessed through a particularly steep drive over a steep and narrow road serious questions have also been raised about the ability of service and other vehicles of any size being able to negotiate the gradient. "More worryingly there have been several cases of parked lorries rolling down the hill and crashing into properties on Firle Road such is the severity of the gradient.
This is just another accident waiting to happen." Sussex Wildlife Trust has also objected to the plans as well as ecologist and Firle Road resident of 26 years Jessica Dikken, who said the developer's ecological reports undervalued the land. A lorry plummeted through 15 Firle Road's window (Image: Submitted)
"As an ecologist I am seriously troubled about the effect the planned houses will have on our local wildlife and environment," she said. "It's clear from satellite images that the land which belongs to 20 Firle Road is a rich mosaic of habitats which provide shelter and foraging corridors for wildlife connecting to the South Downs' ecological corridor network. "It supports a huge variety of flora and fauna including red-listed birds and several protected species."
Adur's waste services said it is "not going to be feasible" for its refuse and recycling vehicles to access the three bungalows and it would need residents to place their bins for collection at the bottom of the access road. Dozens of residents have also registered their disapproval. Ali Narhid said: "The plans for three luxury properties on this land will not enhance either the local area nor the national[1] park.
They are not the type of houses that are needed, these will be for the rich and wealthy, not young struggling families." Sharon Lush, who lives in Firle Road, said: "I am deeply concerned about the potential threat these plans pose to the foundations of houses and gardens within the vicinity of number 20. "Upon thorough examination of the proposed road and excavation plans, it has become evident that the outlined activities may significantly jeopardize the stability and structural integrity of properties nearby."
District and parish councillor for Manor and Coombes Carol Albury echoed residents' concerns about the possible damage the development could do to the chalk land. "I am deeply worried that not enough surveying or expert advice has been taken to show exactly what risks to residents are involved and indeed how these will be dealt with." Plans would see 20 Firle Road demolished (Image: Submitted)
Another objection came from Henry Heath, chairman of Friends of Lancing Ring, which co-manages Lancing Ring Local Nature Reserve with Adur District Council and the South Downs National Park Authority. "We remain concerned that this development marks a creeping urbanisation towards the reserve which falls within the South Downs National Park and this could set a precedent for further developments on this site and in neighbouring areas," he said. North Lancing Action Group said: "The final decision made on this application will be a question of morals.
"It is time for these repeated applications to stop, and for the land to be reinstated with the protection it deserves."
James Breckell Architects wrote in their design access statement on behalf of applicants Mr and Mrs Tom Middleton, who own 20 Firle Road, that "every single minutia of advice gleaned from the committee report, inspector's decision and the 2022 committee report has been used to inform this fresh design".
"The result is a design that has used the advice given positively to bring about a benign yet architecturally rewarding group of individual and modest bungalows.
References
- ^ national (www.theargus.co.uk)
- ^ Opening date announced for Sussex's new Home Bargains store (www.theargus.co.uk)