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Javid approves 400-home called-in scheme
Sajid Javid has approved a 400-home scheme in West Sussex after the planning inspector cited “out-of-date” local planning policies to back the development.
The communities secretary wrote to Fontwell Estates yesterday to confirm his support for the planning inspector’s recommendation that permission is granted.
Mr Javid called in the scheme in January, taking the decision away from Arun District Council.
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The scheme, in Fontwell, will provide 30% affordable housing in line with the council’s planning policy, which the inspector judged would supply more than six months of housing need for the district.
“The application complies with all other relevant ALP [Arun Local Plan] policies that are not out-of-date,” the inspector wrote.
Mr Javid agreed that “the need for housing and employment sites in Arun District and the supply of deliverable sites to meet those needs” was the most important factor in the planning decision.
His letter said the council’s current Local Plan only had housing land supply to cover less than two years and the emerging plan cannot be taken into account because it has not been signed off.
A spokesperson for Arun District Council said: “Arun District Council are naturally pleased that the original decision taken in November 2015 – to grant planning permission – has been upheld.
“It is unfortunate that it has taken so long to resolve this matter but hopefully now much needed housing and employment facilities for the District can be provided from this scheme.”
UPDATE AT 14:45 17.07.17: The story was updated to include a comment from Arun District Council.
