Sources and Evidence

This page provides references and evidence for the claims made throughout our campaign against planning application LU/72/25/OUT. All sources are publicly available and can be verified by visiting the links provided.

Housing Need Evidence

Rising Housing Waiting Lists

  • Fact: Housing waiting list in Arun has grown from 1,317 households in 2021 to approximately 2,200 households by early 2024
  • Source: Arun District Council, Housing Strategy 2024-2029 (Draft July 2024)
  • Link: www.arun.gov.uk/housing-strategy-2024-2029/
    • "Demand – In 2022/23 there were 1,732 households on the Council's housing waiting list. This was a 64% increase from 2020/21. Early indications of the figures for 2023/24 suggest that this number has risen to around 2,200 households."

    Homelessness Crisis

  • Fact: Homelessness applications in Arun increased by 10% between 2021/22 and 2023/24
  • Source: Arun District Council, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (Draft June 2024)
  • Link: www.arun.gov.uk/hrss-2024/
    • "The total number of households affected by homelessness, or the risk of homelessness increased from 832 (2021/22) to 919 (2023/24) representing an increase of 10% over two years."

    Declining Home Ownership

  • Fact: Owner occupation in Arun has declined by 16.9% between 2011 and 2021
  • Source: Arun District Council, Housing Strategy 2024-2029 (Draft July 2024)
  • Link: www.arun.gov.uk/housing-strategy-2024-2029/

    • Affordable Housing Shortage

  • Fact: Only 21.9% of all housing completions since 2011 in Arun have been affordable dwellings
  • Source: Arun District Council, Housing Strategy 2024-2029 (Draft July 2024)
  • Link: www.arun.gov.uk/housing-strategy-2024-2029/
    • "Since 2011 only 1,693 of these new properties are categorised as affordable dwellings - accounting for only 21.9% of all completions in this time period."

    Traffic and Infrastructure Evidence

    Current Planning Application Impact

  • Fact: The current application (LU/72/25/OUT) proposes substantial commercial development which would generate significant traffic
  • Source: Planning application details, Arun District Council
  • Link: Arun district planning applications: April 25 to May 2

    • Cumulative Impact with Minster Court Development

  • Fact: Separate development at Minster Court (LU/133/23/PL) has already been approved
  • Source: Planning application details, Arun District Council

    • Area Traffic Patterns

  • Fact: The A259 and connecting roads already experience significant congestion at peak times
  • Source: West Sussex County Council Traffic Monitoring
  • Link: www.westsussex.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/traffic-management/

    • Health and Social Impact Evidence

    Fast Food and Health Impacts

  • Fact: Areas with high concentrations of fast food outlets are associated with higher obesity rates, particularly among children
  • Source: Public Health England (2018), Fast Food Outlets: Density by Local Authority in England
  • Link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/fast-food-outlets-density-by-local-authority-in-england

    • Proximity to Schools

  • Fact: The proposed development is near White Meadows Primary Academy and Lyminster Primary School
  • Source: Local school directories and maps

    • Local Economy Evidence

    Local Business Impact

  • Fact: Drive-thru establishments typically benefit large corporations rather than local businesses
  • Source: Federation of Small Businesses research on high street retail
  • Link: www.fsb.org.uk/resource-report/high-streets-and-town-centres.html

    • Employment Quality

  • Fact: Arun has lower employment rates than the national average with three wards in Littlehampton and Bognor Regis among England's 10% most deprived areas
  • Source: Arun District Council, Housing Strategy 2024-2029 (Draft July 2024)
  • Link: www.arun.gov.uk/housing-strategy-2024-2029/
    • "Three wards within Littlehampton and Bognor Regis are among England's 10% most deprived areas"

    Planning Context Evidence

    Local Plan References

  • Fact: Arun's Local Plan has identified specific areas for commercial development, which should be prioritized before green field sites
  • Source: Arun District Council Local Plan 2011-2031
  • Link: www.arun.gov.uk/adopted-local-plan-2011-2031/

    • Current Development Priorities

  • Fact: Arun District Council does not have a 5-year housing land supply and has failed the Government's Housing Delivery Test
  • Source: Arun District Council Local Development Scheme 2023-2025
  • Link: www.arun.gov.uk/arun-district-council-local-development-scheme-2023-2025/
    • "The council does not have a 5-year housing land supply and has failed the Government's Housing Delivery Test published in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022."

    Environmental Impact Evidence

    Air Quality Concerns

  • Fact: Drive-thru restaurants lead to idling vehicles, causing localized air pollution
  • Source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) air quality guidance
  • Link: uk-air.defra.gov.uk/air-pollution/causes

    • Light Pollution

  • Fact: Commercial developments with extended hours cause light pollution affecting nearby residential areas
  • Source: Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Night Blight research
  • Link: www.cpre.org.uk/resources/night-blight-mapping-englands-light-pollution-and-dark-skies/

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    *This evidence page is maintained by residents concerned about planning application LU/72/25/OUT. All information is accurate as of May 2025 and will be updated as new information becomes available.*