Marina plans turned down again

Adur District Council's planning committee said that although it supported the regeneration of the port, which would create 1,000 jobs, it was not happy with access and traffic proposals.

Monday night was the third time the planning application had come before the council. Shoreham Port Authority might now appeal against the decision.

Residents welcomed the decision to turn down the application. Dennis Clarke, of Church Lane, Southwick, who spoke at the meeting to raise concerns about pollution and traffic, said afterwards: "It was a good day for residents. Hopefully, the port will come back and scale down the size of the development."

The development, built in five stages, would ultimately have had two marinas, a courtyard and commercial and leisure outlets, including restaurants.

The application was turned down because only one access point was proposed.

Councillors, who voted six to three against, with one abstention, also said the single access point from the A259 would mean there would have to be a two-lane road next to the Riverside conservation area, contravening the Adur District Local Plan and West Sussex Structure Plan.

Councillor Janet Mockridge, who led the opposition, wanted the council to insist on a clause that would force the port authority to consider putting in a second access road later.

She said: "If this development is going to take place in the next 10 to 20 years, it is essential it is environmentally assessed at every phase."

The application for outline planning permission to develop the 6.2-hectare site was recommended for approval by council officers, subject to 30 conditions.

Peter Davies, head of planning, said the safety of the access road had been approved by the fire service and West Sussex County Council.

After the meeting, Rod Johnstone, Shoreham Port Authority's chief executive, said it would be up to members of the board to decide whether to appeal.