Plans to build 152 homes in village approved

Plans to build 152 homes in Ashington, West Sussex, have been approved

Plans to build 152 homes in a West Sussex village have been approved, despite more than 200 objections from residents.

The application from Bellway Homes, on the site west of the primary school in Ashington, includes an all-weather sport pitch, sports pavilion and allotments, and a new access off of Church Lane.

The proposal was approved by Horsham District Council planning committee on Tuesday by nine votes to four with one abstention, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Residents had raised concerns about Church Lane being "too narrow" for two-way traffic, "inadequate parking" in the area, and the pressure on Ashington's infrastructure.

Local councillor Alan Manton described the development as "an over-dense, housing-led scheme that fails to deliver the balanced community vision residents voted for".

Bellway Homes says 37 of the homes will have affordable rent.

The developer says land will still be available for any future expansion of the primary school itself.