Fears 600 new Littlehampton homes could put end to farming

Tim Hutchins’ family has run Brookbarn Farm, in Courtwick Lane, since 1949, but he fears it could be finished if plans to build 600 homes in adjacent fields go ahead.

He was one of about 30 residents who went to Arun Civic Centre in Littlehampton, on Friday, along with Bognor and Littlehampton MP, Nick Gibb, to hand in a four-page petition against the proposals.

Speaking afterwards, Tim said: “My family has been farming for five or six generations that I know of, but it’s probably more than that. Farming is in my blood.

“If this development goes ahead, it will put me out of business, there is no doubt about it.”

Cattle farmer Tim, who has worked on the land full-time since 1971, and is still helped by his father, Stan, 83, said building on the neighbouring site, just north of Courtwick Lane, would flood his 320-acre farm.

“It is a flood plain, but in the 60 years that we have been here, there has never been a flood. Rainwater soaks into the fields, but if they are concreted over then it will fill the pond they have planned, then my ditches, and then flood my land.”

He was also worried that new residents walking on his land would mean him having to remove cattle from fields.

Tim, who supplies supermarket chain Waitrose, lives on the farm in a house built by his great-grandfather, William, soon after he moved to the site after the Second World War from Midhurst, where he had been farming previously.

“I was born in that house, in 1954, and still live there. “I have always lived in the country.”

He added: “People are always going on about the carbon footprint, but when there are no farmers left, where will the food come from?”

Mr Gibb said he supported the residents, who have set up an action group, Courtwick Lane Opposition Group (CLOG).

“There is a concern that every bit of green land is being built on. This is about protecting green space, and keeping the character of Littlehampton,” he said.

While he understood the need for affordable housing, Mr Gibb felt Courtwick Lane was the wrong place to build, and smaller developments could be accommodated elsewhere within the town.

l CLOG will hold a public meeting at Wick Hall, Wick Street, Wick, at 11am on January 8.