The Arun District Council Planning Committee met on 17 September 2025, and made decisions on planning applications for a new community facility in Littlehampton, the conversion of barns into dwellings in Yapton, and new homes in Eastergate. The committee also reviewed its performance against key performance indicators.

Land South Of Wandleys Lane, Eastergate

After a deferral at the previous meeting, the committee approved the application for the construction of 10 dwellings with a new access from Wandleys Lane in Eastergate.

The application had been deferred to allow for an independent transport review and access assessment to be completed. This followed concerns raised at the 6 August meeting by Councillor Bob Woodman and Councillor Huntley that the proposed access did not comply with the Barnham and Eastergate Neighbourhood Plan, and about road safety on Wandleys Lane.

The report update stated that the independent transport review concluded that the proposed development presented no highways reasons for refusal, and that their views concurred with the response provided by West Sussex County Council Highways, which raised no objection subject to conditions.

The report noted that an amended plan had been received, showing visibility splays¹ at 2.4m x 43m, in line with guidance.

The report also noted that additional consultation comments were received from West Sussex County Council Minerals and Waste, who offered no objection.

Scout Hall, Linden Road, Littlehampton

The committee refused an application for the provision of a new modular-built scout and community facility to provide additional area alongside the existing building on-site at the Scout Hall, Linden Road in Littlehampton.

A report update was provided to the committee, which stated that the Arun District Council Drainage Engineers objected to the application.

The officer's report stated:

The proposal does not prioritise SuDS or follow the drainage hierarchy. It fails to enhance biodiversity or amenity, provides limited information on flow rates and runoff volumes, and lacks the technical detail necessary to demonstrate policy compliance. As such, the proposal conflicts with ALP Policies W SP1 and W DM3, Paragraphs 181, 182, and 187 of the NPPF, and the relevant guidance in the NPPG.

Stakers Farm, North End Road, Yapton

The committee approved an application for the conversion of and alterations to existing barns to create three dwellings at Stakers Farm, North End Road in Yapton. The application included the erection of a car barn, demolition of existing buildings and associated landscaping and parking, and erection of a new garage/workshop for Stakers Farmhouse, and upgrading of access track.

The officer's report noted that the site was in a conservation area, and that the Conservation Officer believed that the application would cause less than substantial harm to the significance of the heritage assets or their setting.

The officer's report stated:

The public benefits include the conversion of unused structures resulting in them being brought back into use. Without the conversion and subsequent maintenance, they are likely to deteriorate and fall in ruin, resulting in potential loss. This appropriate new use would ensure their future retention and would preserve and enhance the setting of the adjacent Listed Building and the character of the Conservation Area. The conversion would provide three new dwellings whilst preserving the existing fabric and historic value of these historic barns. It is material that the application has been approved previously.

Appeals

The committee noted the appeals list, as detailed in the Appeals document.

Q1 Performance Report

The committee reviewed the Q1 Performance Report for the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which form part of the council's Vision 2022-2026.

The report set out the performance of the Key Performance indicators at Quarter 1 for the period 1 April 2025 to 30 June 2025.

The report noted that there are 30 Key Performance indicators and 3 are reported to this Committee:

• CP25 Major applications determined in 13 weeks or agreed extension of time
• CP44 Non-major applications without the use of extensions of time
• CP35 % of planning applications registered within 5 days

The report stated that, of the KPIs reported to the committee, all were achieving their target.