Sandpit site owner to sell land after 'abuse'

Works started at the Marine Drive site earlier in May

A man building on a West Sussex field despite being denied planning consent says he now wants to sell the land.

Chris Dixon previously said he would turn the coastal site in Goring-by-Sea into a recreation area with a sandpit, boules pitch and bar area.

Worthing Borough Council denied his planning application in 2024 and the Planning Inspectorate upheld the council's decision after Mr Dixon appealed.

He said on Friday he will sell the Marine Drive site after receiving "abuse" online for starting work at the site.

Mr Dixon said: "There's been too much criticism. The stuff they say about me is rude, as if I'm just some money grabbing property developer.

"My kids and my wife see it so I just thought I'd let someone else take the abuse.

"I was trying to do something that was community based."

Worthing Borough Council denied an application for permission to develop the site in 2024

Mr Dixon announced plans in 2024 to create a "fenced family entertainment area" focused around the sandpit.

Work began at the site in May.

Worthing Borough Council previously said it rejected the plans because it had not received enough detail to prove that "use and operations described in the application would be or are lawful".

James and James Estate Agents said it would bring the site to market "soon".

Mr Dixon will not try again to obtain planning permission to develop the site and the land will be sold as is, the agency says.