Development proposed between Earnley and Bracklesham the ‘final straw’ for residents

Development plans for the last remaining agricultural field between Earnley and Bracklesham have been described as the ‘final straw’ by residents.
Earnley residents are concerned about plans to build new homes off Clappers Lane. Pic Steve Robards SR2009091 SUS-200909-094648001Earnley residents are concerned about plans to build new homes off Clappers Lane. Pic Steve Robards SR2009091 SUS-200909-094648001
Earnley residents are concerned about plans to build new homes off Clappers Lane. Pic Steve Robards SR2009091 SUS-200909-094648001

Seaward Properties wants to build around 100 homes on land south of Clappers Lane and says it is due to submit a planning application to Chichester District Council shortly.

But residents have raised a number of concerns including a lack of facilities and services, declining employment opportunities, congested roads, flooding, the effect on the character of the area as well as the impact on wildlife and nature.

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A statement from a group of residents opposing the scheme said: “Its development will lead to coalescence between Earnley and Bracklesham and will result in sprawling suburbia with architecture not in keeping with Earnley’s adjacent conservation area.”

Land south of Clappers Lane. Photo by Steve RobardsLand south of Clappers Lane. Photo by Steve Robards
Land south of Clappers Lane. Photo by Steve Robards

They describe how the population of Bracklesham and East Wittering has increased dramatically over the years, leaving it with inadequate infrastructure to support further housing, with the combined settlements having only one doctors’ surgery, one dentist and one primary school, all of which are oversubscribed, no secondary school, higher education or training facilities and declining employment opportunities.

As a coastal settlement with no railway station and just one often congested road leading to it ‘transport access will always be a problem’.

The statement added: “The latest development proposal on the last remaining agricultural field between Earnley and Bracklesham is the final straw for residents.”

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It describes how tourism is now the most important part of the local economy, with the growing staycation economy supporting the village’s shops and restaurants, adding: “But its success relies on the area’s rural ambiance, with visitors staying in camp and caravan sites and enjoying cycling and walking through the countryside as well as the beaches. Building on the last remaining fields around the coast will cause irreparable harm to the area’s tourism.”

Earnley residents are concerned about plans to build new homes off Clappers Lane outside the church. Pic Steve Robards SR2009091 SUS-200909-094637001Earnley residents are concerned about plans to build new homes off Clappers Lane outside the church. Pic Steve Robards SR2009091 SUS-200909-094637001
Earnley residents are concerned about plans to build new homes off Clappers Lane outside the church. Pic Steve Robards SR2009091 SUS-200909-094637001

Opponents also highlight how a large part of the site is at risk of both coastal and fluvial flooding and is also close to the Medmerry Nature Reserve, an internationally recognised compensatory habitat.

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Earnley . Pic Steve Robards SR2009091 SUS-200909-094741001Earnley . Pic Steve Robards SR2009091 SUS-200909-094741001
Earnley . Pic Steve Robards SR2009091 SUS-200909-094741001
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