Felpham residents fury over '˜bullying' developer's plans for more housing
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
David Wilson has applied for permission to increase the number of homes on Phase 6 of Blake’s Mead from 61 to 94.
But residents backing onto the site say the extra houses will leave them completely overlooked, and fear the height of the homes will create a substantial risk of flooding to their properties.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“We first found out they want to build 33 more homes on the site when we read it in the Observer,” said Geraldine Geary, who along with husband Colin and others living in bungalows on Shirley Drive and Lindsey Court expressed anger.
“The developer didn’t tell us, notices have only just gone up. We accept houses are being built there but not that many squashed together.”
The residents say the land is on a flood plain, and with the new homes being erected 1.5m higher than the level of their properties, any rainwater will wash straight towards them.
“I’ve lived here for 20 years and I’ve seen six inches of water on that field,” said Lindsey Court resident James Denby. “The height they are building the new houses, any water will just flow right into our properties.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“When they won planning approval it was for low-density, four and five bedroom houses.
“Now they want to change it to high-density, mostly three and four bedroom semis.
“I was going to have two houses overlooking my garden and now I’ll have eight, all my privacy will be gone.
Geffrey Smith, 75, another long-term resident, added: “We are going to have to put up with extra noise, the potential of being flooded, and no privacy from over development, Tell me who is going to pay for the damage when we all flood?”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdTim Hill, managing director of David Wilson Homes, said: “An application to change the mix and number of homes at our development in Felpham was submitted to Arun District Council on May 6 and a parish meeting to discuss the application was held on May 23, with local members and residents present.
“The proposed levels remain unchanged from the original application and we are currently working with Arun District Council’s planning team to see if they can be reduced any further.”
Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.
1) Make our website your homepage at www.bognor.co.uk/
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BognorRegisObserver
3) Follow us on Twitter @BogObserver
4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.
And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!
The Bognor Observer - always the first with your local news.
Be part of it.