Detailed plans to create 240 new homes – a third of which will be affordable – were given the green light during a virtual meeting of Worthing Borough Council’s planning committee.
The proposal forms the second phase of the popular West Durrington development, which has seen hundreds of properties created on land to the north west of the town.
With councillors agreeing on the need for a range of good-quality homes in the area, outline plans to create a range of one to four bedroom units on the site near the Coach and Horses were approved last year.
This led to the creation of detailed designs, which were unanimously approved by the planning committee at a meeting held via video conference last week (Wednesday May 27, 2020).
Developers welcomed the outcome, adding construction work could start later this year once the first phase of 700 homes is complete.
Darren Kennett, of Taylor Wimpey which is part of the West Durrington Consortium, said: “We are delighted to have received unanimous approval from the planning committee, alongside Persimmon Homes our consortium partner, to bring forward the final phase of development at West Durrington.
“We would like to congratulate the council for successfully hosting one of their first virtual committees. Our design team have worked very closely with the council’s officers to deliver an attractive new housing development that respects the setting of the site. We look forward to delivering our new homes in the summer of 2021.”
Detailed plans agreed included designs of the properties along with access roads; pedestrian and cycle routes; parking; landscaped public spaces; electric charging points; and sustainable drainage features, such as a pond.
To the north, a three-metre bund will be built to separate the development from the A27 and ensure it compliments the neighbouring South Downs National Park.
Cllr Kevin Jenkins, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “As a local authority we are committed to making best use of the limited land that we have available for development. This means that a variety of good quality housing is essential, something which is being delivered at West Durrington.
“These new properties will help Worthing continue to be a vibrant place moving forward, providing a mix of social housing, starter homes and family properties. I’m looking forward to seeing spades in the ground on this second phase of the development soon.”
The same ‘virtual’ meeting, which was streamed on YouTube and allowed the public to make representations during proceedings, also approved plans for a series of other proposals, including a plans to create 13 flats above Beales in Worthing town centre.
To allow all applications to be dealt with, councillors needed to agree to extend the meeting beyond the four hour cut off. Proceedings eventually ended after 11pm, nearly five hours after the meeting started.
Cllr Paul High, Chairman of the Planning Committee, said: “I want to thank officers and fellow councillors for their energy and commitment to ensure that, despite the challenges of working late and meeting remotely, we dealt with all the applications presented to us.
“It is imperative that in these unprecedented times we continue to give responses to applications in a timely and considered manner. This means those applicants who do receive permission can be in a position to start work straight away, something which will allow Worthing to bounce back economically from the disruption caused by COVID-19.”
