Residents gather to protest proposed 70 home development in Middleton-on-Sea

The protest came alongside the launch of a public consultation for the homes, which are being developed by Lovell Homes in partnership with West Sussex County Council.

Plans presented at the meeting promised the partnership is ‘committed to building a brand reputation as a credible and attractive regional developer.”

The development site, they added, would be “well-planned, well-designed, and well-built” offering buyers “the opportunity to enjoy the abundant nature, culture and leisure opportunities offered across the county.”

But residents arrived at the consultation, and at the following protest, with a number of infrastructural concerns which they feel might undermine the integrity of the development.

Floods were a major concern with parts of Middleton-on-sea, including Ancton Lane, suffering severe floods in 2012. On top of this, residents pointed out that a drainage pipe runs north through the proposed development site, and could cause very real problems if disturbed by construction efforts.

Roger Philips, who has lived near the site since 1970, said: “If they touch that pipe, they’re going to cause immediate flooding. Because it’s the only way water will get away from this area – it’s got nowhere else to go. If you’re developing a site, you’ve got to install surface water drainage, you’ve got to put in sewage, you’ve got to put in gas pipes – you’ve got to go down.”

"Drainage is probably the biggest issue. The drainage system struggles now, so if they’re connecting to that, how is that going to work?” Another resident added.

A spokesperson said for the partnership said they welcomed the constructive criticism: “The JV values the feedback it received, and assured residents that statutory authorities will continue to be fully consulted through the planning process, on all elements of design (including roads, drainage and the supply of services).

"Comments relating to material considerations such as scheme design, will be fully considered during the next stage of design, we look forward to developing proposals further.”

To find out more about the consultation, which runs until April 4, visit www.anctonlaneconsultationonline.co.uk