A proposal for a 400-dwelling residential project alongside a new secondary school has had its determination postponed.

Arun District Council’s planning committee voted unanimously to defer the Ford Lane scheme in Ford after planning officers indicated additional time was necessary to obtain professional guidance from drainage specialists.

The development blueprint encompasses up to 400 residences, a secondary educational establishment, sporting fields, a neighbourhood facility, and walking and cycling infrastructure.

Officers requested a four-week extension to enable consultants to conduct a thorough assessment of the drainage strategy.

The additional period would also permit consideration of recent updates to the National Planning Policy Framework and preparation of any necessary planning conditions or legal agreements should the recommendation change.

The submission has previously been delayed on multiple occasions due to outstanding technical matters awaiting resolution.

According to the most recent officer assessment, highway-related issues have now been addressed, with West Sussex County Council and National Highways registering no objections to the scheme.

Negotiations regarding the land transfer for the secondary school site are reported to be substantially advanced.

Nevertheless, drainage continues to present significant difficulties.

The council’s technical team maintained that the location suffers from fundamental inadequacies regarding surface water management and flood vulnerability.

They remain unsatisfied that the submitted information demonstrates the drainage approach would function effectively without elevating flood risk to surrounding areas.

Officers had previously advised rejection because the drainage deficiencies were considered fundamental to the proposal’s viability, representing issues that cannot be remedied through standard planning conditions.

The committee is scheduled to revisit the application following the one-month deferral period.