Ford concrete batching plant approved on casting vote

The application, for a unit on the Rudford Industrial Estate, in Ford Road, was approved on the chairman’s vote after the development control committee was split seven votes apiece for and against.

The online meeting on Tuesday saw some passionate appeals against the plans, not least from Jacky Pendleton (Con, Middleton-on-Sea), who railed against the idea of some 36 HGVs driving to and from the plant each day.

She said: “When are we going to stop piling more and more stuff into this village area, on to the village roads – the narrow roads – which are not constructed to take this level of HGV movements.

“Somewhere we have got to stop this.”

Hugh Coster (Ind, Aldiwck East) was less than impressed with the county council’s highways team, which raised no objection to the plans, thereby tying the committee’s hands when it came to objecting on those grounds.

Mr Coster said: “I’m very disappointed that West Sussex County Council once again is not taking any interest in the fact these HGV movements are going to be on unsuitable roads. They should be taking an interest.”

With 1,500 homes in the pipeline for Ford Airfield to the north, and permission given on appeal for 300 to the south of Horsemere Green Lane, there were concerns for the physical and mental health of people living nearby.

Dust, air pollution, noise and the 7am opening time seven days a week were top of the list.

Noise was one of the issues among the 12 letters of objection received by the council. Others covered an increase in traffic and whether or not there was a need for the plant.

The planning officer’s response to the last point was clear.

In a report to the committee, he said: “There is an identified need to provide a concrete batching operation with Arun district to meet the planned growth for housing, infrastructure and employment set out in the local plan.”

Mrs Pendleton said the entire situation was ‘dire’.

She added: “When are we going to bite the bullet and stop this? It’s absolutely ridiculous.

“Not only is it ridiculous, it’s detrimental to our residents in this area. It really is unacceptable that this keeps coming forward.

“The pathways, the roadways, are tiny.

“It is ridiculous to pass this, to keep piling on more and more industry in an area that’s supposed to be one of our sought-after villages.

“It’s really not fair on our residents.”

While many of her colleagues agreed, they could find no planning reason to turn down the application.

With a condition added regarding the washing of vehicle wheels, a vote was taken, with chairman Jamie Bennett left to break the tie.

He said: “As much as I don’t want to do this, I don’t see significant planning grounds to refuse it.”

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