Greenfield homes Petition over plans

Residents opposed to plans for 90 new homes in Arundel have called for the proposed site to be preserved as greenfield land.

Carol Stevens, 64, and Mark Stevens, 63, said the proposed development off Ford Road would encourage urban sprawl, altering Arundel’s ‘picturesque vista’ and setting a precedent to develop more greenfield sites.

“To destroy yet more of our environment at this time of catastrophic climate change is unacceptable,” they said.

The couple live in High

Ridge Close, a cul-de-sac where a footpath entrance to the development has been proposed – which they said would impact on their privacy. The proposed development would be accessed from Ford

Road, which the pair said was ‘already overcrowded’ – warning that more vehicles would produce gridlock. Almost 700 residents have signed a petition against the plans.

A spokesman for The Norfolk Estate, which put forward the scheme, said the ‘high-quality development’ would make a ‘positive contribution’ to Arundel, providing affordable homes to help meet ‘pressing needs’ and public open spaces. “Contributions will be made towards upgrading infrastructure such as road improvements and meeting other local needs,” the spokesman said.

The site was identified for development in the Arundel Neighbourhood Plan 2, which was approved via a referendum in November, 2019, with 80 per cent of residents in favour, the spokesman added.

Arundel Community Land Trust chairman Darrell Gale and former mayor James Stewart have previously written to the Gazette about the site’s selection, explaining its place in the plan.

Mr Gale wrote: “This site was first proposed for nearly 300 houses; which would have easily got planning permission had the town not so vociferously backed our new neighbourhood plan to limit the development onto a small part of the site; and commit to 30 per cent affordable homes including many at social rent; ensuring a home in town for those most excluded.”