Plans deferred for new homes in West Sussex village

Outline plans to build 49 homes in a West Sussex village have been deferred by a council.

Members of the planning committee at Chichester District Council asked for more information about the application for land east of Inlands Road in Nutbourne.

Concerns were raised by some councillors about the capacity of the Thornham Wastewater Treatment Works and the impact another batch of housing would have.

While West Sussex Highways filed no objection, councillor Roy Briscoe (Con, Westbourne) suggested the application be deferred to allow the authority to have “a really good look” at it, and reassess the information provided and its conclusion.

Network Rail pointed out that the level crossing on Inlands Road was considered high risk and was critical that applicant Metis Homes Ltd, had not engaged with them earlier.

But it was road safety which proved to be the biggest sticking point, especially given the narrowness of Inlands Road, according to Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Officers were worried that a delay would see the applicant launch an appeal against non-determination, especially as the council cannot demonstrate that it has a five-year supply of housing land.

Members agreed the deferral by nine votes to two with one abstention.