More homes for Nutbourne amid flooding concerns

Residents in Nutbourne have said they are '˜disgusted' after plans were approved today for 55 homes backing on to their gardens, despite flooding concerns.
ks170924-1 Nutbourne  Development phot kate
Nutbourne residents protesting against the proposed development in their village.ks170924-1 SUS-170522-182906008ks170924-1 Nutbourne  Development phot kate
Nutbourne residents protesting against the proposed development in their village.ks170924-1 SUS-170522-182906008
ks170924-1 Nutbourne Development phot kate Nutbourne residents protesting against the proposed development in their village.ks170924-1 SUS-170522-182906008

Plans for 50 homes at Nellies Field had been approved on the site as part of the neighbourhood plan, and passed by referendum.

But objectors said they had not been consulted properly on changes replacing a service road with homes overlooking their properties and the land had a history of drainage issues.

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Speaking after Chichester District Council’s planning meeting, Lynda Marchment said: “I’m disgusted that they didn’t take into consideration that the process hadn’t been followed, that the neighbourhood plan actually worked against us as a neighbourhood.”

She added: “Our homes have flooded right up to the back door.

“When I reported the smell of sewage at the back of the garden last summer, nothing was done about it.”

The plans detail a mixture of predominantly two, three and four bed houses and 104 parking spaces, including some for Elm Grove, along with a play area and open space to the east and west of the site.

A total of 17 units would be classed as affordable homes.

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Proposals were red-carded by Southbourne district cllr Jonathan Brown over drainage issues.

Councillors took detailed consideration of reports from Southern Water and council officers, with cllr Mark Dunn particularly worried climate change could add to flash floods from the South Downs.

An agent for developer Pallant Homes said there was a full public consultation and the company had offered to plant trees in their gardens to add screening, as sewerage works prevented planting in between.

But residents told the committee gardens were essential safe places to play for children and the properties overlooking theirs would result in a ‘complete loss of privacy’.

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Cllr Dunn didn’t understand why there was so much ‘cramming’ of houses to the south of the field but agreed with cllr Gordon McAra there could have been more houses in the 3.38 hectares available.

The developer will pay £99,165 towards highways improvements.

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