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Nigel
Senior Member
United Kingdom
238 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Dec 2011 : 22:56:51
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Thank you for the response in this 'Question & Answer' forum, but my questions were,
1/ How many Councillors were aware of these discussions?
2/ As these developments concern parishoners, shouldn't these be the very people the Council keep informed, instead of leaving it to be made public on sites like this.
I fail to see the answer to either question in your response.
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Chair 2011/12
deleted
15 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2011 : 21:34:58
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The Rugby Club approached the Clerk requesting the opportunity to explain the current possibility for its future, and he and the Chairman were appraised of a possible opportunity available to the Club. The methodology being used for the Neighbourhood Plan was explained and the Rugby Club expressed a wish to present their thoughts to the Steering Group meeting on 30th November 2011, which included both councillors and members of the public. The minutes of all of the Neighbourhood Plan meetings will be available on the Parish Council website which is currently being revised and is expected to be on-line during January. The relevant minute from that meeting reads:-
SG26.
WORTHING RUGBY CLUB
PL welcomed the attendees from Worthing Rugby Club, Persimmon and WYG and noted that the Steering Group was happy to listen, seek information and would ask questions, but could not pre-determine the future conclusion to the work on the Community-Led Neighbourhood Plan by giving any specific indication of approval or disagreement at this stage.
Brian Vincent and Bob Rogers outlined the history of Worthing Rugby Club in Angmering culminating in the current arrangements where there were 6 pitches, two car parks and a clubhouse on a site of 23.5 acres. The first team was currently at the top of the National 2 South league with 5 Senior sides and a lot of Junior teams.
The Clubhouse was now fully used seven days a week and with the current activity there was often pressure on car parking, with overflow being provided in adjoining fields. Promotion to the next league would no doubt increase the already substantial following which would further exacerbate the parking problems.
The club was also keen to continue with its Community activities, but would need a new site to achieve all of these ends. Persimmons had a viable site near to the station at Goring.
Paul Bedford stated that Persimmons were active in the area and had acquired the land in question many years ago. To date, no detailed plans had been drawn up even for the proposed rugby pitch site. One meeting had been held with the District Council planners, just to satisfy themselves that the proposal was a possibility.
Martin Hawthorne worked as a Town Planning Consultant and welcomed the opportunity to inform and discuss with the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group. He distributed copies of plans of the initial outline thoughts indicating that there would be the potential for building around 200 housing units on the current Rugby Club site of some 6.285 hectares.
The Steering Group then asked a number of questions to investigate the likely effect of this development and the following matters were considered:-
· What would be proposed to rectify the current infrastructure deficits and the additional infrastructure needs associated with any development ?
· Vehicular access/egress from such a scale of development solely onto the narrow Roundstone Lane was likely to be problematic; routes directly to/from the A280 bypass should be considered.
· What would be the impact on the village centre and neighbouring roads of more development at this end of the parish?
· How would local schooling needs for the enlarged population be met given that both the existing 2 primary schools and the existing secondary school were already up to capacity?
· What Affordable and Social Housing provision could be made?
· The impact on drainage capabilities in the area was seen as a potential concern in the light of experience following the construction of Bramley Green.
· Lessons would also need to be learnt from the Bramley Green experience in regard to minimum road dimensions, layout, traffic calming and parking capacity.
The Rugby Club representatives thanked the Steering Group for listening to their outline plans and left the meeting at 8.50pm.
SG27.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL PRINCIPLES
Rob Martin pointed out that this was not likely to be the only developer to come forward whilst the Neighbourhood Plan was being prepared and Angmering remained vulnerable to such approaches whilst there was no Local Plan in place.
Phil Leverick stated that he believed that the Steering Group, whilst ensuring that all kept an open mind, should put together a set of common principles and considerations to be provided to such prospective developers outlining the issues that would need to be addressed in any proposals. He had drafted such a set and would, together with Rob Martin, review and circulate it to the Steering Group for agreement before the next meeting.
The group also agreed that Rob Martin should write a number of letters as follows:-
· To the new Chief Executive of Arun District Council to enquire what the process for considering developments should be whilst the Neighbourhood Plan is being prepared, given that there is no Local Plan in place.
· To Greg Clark, Planning Minister at the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) for guidance of what to do in such circumstances
· To the Prime Minister to invite him to promote the fact that the Community of Angmering is undertaking this difficult task.
I hope that is a more satisfactory answer for you Nigel.
Many thanks for your question.
Pat |
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