I was obviously disappointed that the Adur Planning Committee saw fit to approve the New Monks farm planning application not least when so many questions remain about the sustainability of siting IKEA on the busiest road in the area.
The decision now goes to the Secretary of State and I will be lobbying him to look at the plans and open them up to more scrutiny than was available at the planning meeting.
This is not about objecting to much needed housing and other community facilities on the site but rather to question whether relying on a mega-retailer which attracts more customers by car than just about any other shop is sustainable for the local area and why other alternatives were not properly explored.
See below for details of how residents can contact the Secretary of state to add your support to a call-in:
ATTN: Mr. Chapman
REF: Two major Adur District Council planning applications
- New Monks Farm: AWDM/0961/17
- Airport: AWDM/1093/17
By email: PCU@communities.gsi.gov.uk
By letter: National Planning Casework Unit, 5 St Philips Place, Colmore Rd. Birmingham, B32PW