Get involved in Arun District Council planning

As towns and villages across the area start to work on neighbourhood plans, which would set out where residents want development, the district council’s neighbourhood planning officer is offering support and guidance.

Last week, the Gazette reported that Littlehampton Town Council had organised a series of meetings, inviting residents to make their views on development known.

Ricky Bower, Arun’s cabinet member for planning, said: “It’s really important that grass roots community groups are able to access specialist support and advice if their vision for their neighbourhood is to be truly realised.

“We want to help people understand the positive role that local and neighbourhood planning can play in bringing about appropriate development, while also protecting our environment.

“Neighbourhood planning officer Lisa Palmer’s work with our town and parish councils demonstrates our commitment to local people being able to shape the places they live in. Our message is clear – get involved in planning how our towns and villages will look in the future.”

Neighbourhood plans aim to give local people a way to shape development in their area, from determining the locations of housing, shops, offices and schools, to setting the standards of design.

Although developed by town and parish councils, it is the community that has the final say, and if more than 50 per cent of people voting in a local referendum support the plan, then the local planning authority, in Littlehampton’s case Arun, must bring it into force.

The district council has also added new pages to its website, www.arun.gov.uk which include information and support to communities setting up their plans.

For more on the consultation dates across Littlehampton and Wick, go to www.littlehampton-tc.gov.uk and see page six for a report on the progress of the neighbourhood plan.