Bognor gypsy sites decision deferred amid much public interest

But before the start of the 15-minute public question time period Arun District Council announced it would be deferring any decision.

Interested parties still used all the time available to make a range of points about the five sites under consideration.

They are land behind Woodcroft in West Walberton Lane, Walberton; Nova Paddocks in Eastergate Lane, Eastergate; Angels Nursery in Yapton Road, Barnham; the former garage at Crossbush Lane in Crossbush; and the North Barn Nursery site in Ferring.

None of them are currently occupied by gypsies, travellers or travelling showpeople.

The district council had been due to agree the proposed permanent sites, which would then go through another round of public consultation.

After such consultation, the process would be to formally allocate the chosen sites through the planning system and inform the Government Office for the South-East.

This is because the government requires councils with planning responsibilities, such as Arun District Council, to provide sufficient permanent sites for gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople.

The number of permanent pitches required in the southeast by 2016 was determined by a Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment.

Arun District Council was told in 2006 to provide nine pitches for gipsies and travellers by 2011, and a further eight by 2016. The latter figure is subject to an inquiry being held next month.

It was also asked to find two permanent pitches for travelling showpeople between 2006 and 2016, plus a more vague additional requirement for 'transit provision'.

Nine pitches have been earmarked for sites already in unauthorised use, with seven of these at the Coventry Plantation in Findon plus one each at Wyndham Acres in Northfields Lane, Westergate, and at Patching Woodyard.

With eight left to find, the district council felt Angels Nursery and Nova Paddocks were the best options, with capacities of 15-20 and 12 respectively.

Angels Nursery is already in public ownership '“ it is owned by West Sussex County Council '“ but it could also be used for building houses.

The district council officers' report to the cabinet concluded: "In the long term the council should achieve adequate provision on suitable sites.

"In the meantime the council and residents will need to tolerate unauthorised sites."

Landscape architect Heather Godsmark '“ who was concerned about Nova Paddocks '“ urged the council to do as much research as possible.

She said: "I am worried about the robustness of the information being used to make decisions, particularly in the areas of noise, highways and the landscape. None of this has been addressed tonight."

Cllr Philippa Hind, of Eastergate Parish Council, questioned whether sufficient consultation had been carried out before the cabinet meeting.

Cabinet chairman Cllr Gill Brown said: "I think we bent over backwards to consult. We did have a meeting with ward members and all the parishes affected beforehand."

However, Barnham Parish Council's clerk has criticised the gypsy site consultation process in a letter to Arun District Council chief executive Ian Sumnall.

Eddie Tarbard said: "We only received the new report on September 30 and the cabinet meeting was on October 12.

"This is clearly insufficient time for parish councils to study the report, formulate a response and convey it to Arun District Council."

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