Plans for 130 homes in a West Sussex settlement have been submitted.

Northgate Properties Ltd is behind the scheme, which would see the houses built on land north of Summer Lane in Pagham, which lies to the west of Bognor Regis.

The submission seeks only outline consent, with specific design elements to be decided at a later date.

The primary vehicle access would link to another development proposal situated to the south of Summer Lane.

A strip of natural and semi-natural habitats would be incorporated throughout the scheme to boost wildlife.

Supporting planning documents state the scheme represents an appropriate and sustainable location for expansion and forms a natural progression from nearby authorized schemes.

However, villagers have expressed worries about possible traffic build-up on local roads.

Laura Harrigan pointed out that existing access in the area is limited, with various spots where two vehicles cannot pass each other comfortably. She stated that the introduction of over 100 households would result in significantly increased traffic levels and pose risks to all users, particularly pedestrians such as dog walkers, children and older residents.

Carole Crawford commented that the current access arrangements seem insufficient for the volume of construction activity anticipated. She noted that substantial construction equipment including wagons and cranes would struggle to navigate without causing additional harm to protected trees, escalating the likelihood of environmental damage.

The site lies largely outside the defined settlement boundary but adjoins current housing and recent building work to the east and south.

Neighbouring permissions include proposals for 110 and 120 dwellings to the south.

A separate project south-east of the location, offering up to 400 homes, a care home, local services and a primary school has been given approval, with building work starting in December the previous year.

Arun District Council remains unable to demonstrate a five-year supply of developable housing sites, despite an increase in the number of completions.

A verdict on this submission is anticipated by June 22.