VOTE: Do you agree jobs should come first in Arun’s blueprint?

That was the message from councillors as the district council agreed to send out its draft planning blueprint for public consultation.

Cabinet member for planning, Ricky Bower, told the full council meeting: “I believe that this local plan is, above all, a plan for economic growth, and not a plan for housing for housing’s sake.”

Mr Bower highlighted research showing weekly wage rates in Arun were the second lowest in 67 council areas in the south-east, standing at £402.50p, compared with £561.10p in Poole, Dorset.

There was cross-party backing from councillors for the draft plan, although with some minor quibbles, with a unanimous vote to launch the seven-week consultation, starting on July 19.

Identifying new sites for business growth will be a key focus of the plan, but there will, nevertheless, be an emphasis on meeting Arun’s housing needs, too.

The consultation will put forward two options for annual housebuilding rates in the district – Arun’s preferred target of 400 homes per year, and the 565 homes the council is still required to build while the south-east regional plan, which is currently being challenged, remains in force.

Have your say

Do you agree jobs should come first in Arun’s blueprint?

You can cast your vote by clicking on the poll at the top right of this story.

Alternatively, you can comment below or email [email protected].

For the full story see the Littlehampton Gazette, out today (Thursday, June 28).