A commercial development proposal has received planning permission from local councillors despite facing opposition from dozens of local residents.
Arun District Council’s planning committee granted approval for the scheme situated at West Barn, Old Dairy Lane in Norton.
The project involves the removal of an existing tennis court and the construction of a commercial facility intended for office, research or light industrial purposes.
The development provides 36 parking spaces, facilities for disabled drivers, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and two dedicated bays for larger commercial vehicles.
An earlier planning application for a comparable scheme was rejected previously due to concerns regarding drainage systems, flood risk assessment, the height of the proposed structure creating overlooking issues for a neighbouring property and the potential effects of large goods vehicles on surrounding residents.
The current submission sought to resolve these previous objections by incorporating obscured glazing on the window facing the adjacent property and repositioning the large goods vehicle parking bays to the western boundary to minimise any potential disturbance.
Aldingbourne Parish Council submitted an objection to the scheme, citing concerns about the site’s positioning, restricted access for emergency service vehicles, overdevelopment of the area and implications for the local conservation zone.
A total of 54 written objections were received from local residents, highlighting worries about increased traffic, effects on neighbouring properties and describing the proposal as unsuitable development within a rural location.
Despite these representations, planning officers advised approval, indicating that the earlier reasons for refusal had been adequately addressed and revised.
The effect on the conservation area was examined, with approximately 0.3 metres at the rear of the structure intersecting the boundary line, though the applicant subsequently shifted the building forward by one metre.
Proposed cladding materials and landscaping measures have been put forward to preserve the character of the surrounding area.
The officer’s assessment noted that the development represents efficient utilisation of the land and delivers an enhancement to the visual appearance of the current site.
A nearby resident contended that public transport connections to the location were impractical, observing that private vehicles remain the only realistic means of accessing the development and suggesting that claims of sustainability were without foundation.
The applicant indicated that market demand for office space exists, that the scheme would generate employment opportunities and that new workers would relocate to the area, supporting both the local community and its economic vitality.
The council ultimately approved the application by seven votes to two.