Planning Inspectorate dismiss appeal at Lansdowne Nursery, Ferring
An appeal made against Arun District Council’s decision to refuse permission for 70 houses at Lansdowne Nursery, off the A259, has been dismissed.
A hearing was held on 17 October 2023 at Littlehampton Town Council following the refusal of the application by Arun’s planning officers under delegated powers in March 2023.
In a decision issued on 1 November 2023, the inspector agreed that the countryside location of the development was unsuitable and that the new houses would compromise the separation of Worthing and Angmering. They also agreed that the houses would harm the setting of the South Downs National Park, views from Highdown Hill and Highdown Hill Camp.
Despite the shortfall in housing land supply in Arun, the inspector upheld the council’s decision to refuse the application which had received objections from Ferring Parish Council, the National Trust, South Downs National Park, Sir Peter Bottomley MP and 500 residents.
Cllr June Hamilton, Chair of the Planning Committee at Arun District Council, said: “We are very pleased with the Inspector’s decision to dismiss the appeal and refuse housing on this important site in Ferring. The decision shows that even though the council cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, we are able to win appeals to prevent inappropriate development.”