Pagham draws up document for the future

The village design statement sets out the wishes of the residents. It has been adopted by Pagham Parish Council as its official policy.

At least 470 people expressed a view about what they want to see protected or changed about the village.

They are keen to see their love of the countryside and coastal aspects of Pagham protected. More than 40 per cent of them were against any new major housing development. They did, however, agree that smaller groups of housing should be permitted.

The major dislike was the speeding traffic in the village, particularly along Pagham Road, and careless car parking. Potential flooding was another area of concern.

The one single area said to be in most need of improvement was Pagham shopping parade.

Protection was seen to be required for areas such as The Dell on the beach estate and the duck pond.

A parish council spokesman said: "The document shows the way the people who live here want to see the village developed or not developed.

"The idea is to try to get the planning authority to take notice of what the people in the village want or don't want."

Next stop for the statement is Arun District Council's cabinet on December 10 before its expected backing by all Arun's councillors in early January.

If this is given, the statement will be used by Arun when planning applications in Pagham are considered.

But it will not over-ride planning guidelines issued by the government for issues such as housing density and flood risk.

The statement updates a parish plan issued by the parish council in 2004. That plan became overtaken by changes in the planning system. The new document contains development guidelines for the nine distinct areas such as the beach estate, Nyetimber, Mill Farm and Cardinals Drive into which Pagham's 117 roads have been divided.

It sets out the likes and dislikes of those who live in each of the areas based on the views expressed in a questionnaire and a display last February and another exhibition in October.

Also contained in the statement are matters about the environment and conservation such as Pagham's extensive network of rights of way as well as its four sites of special scientific interest, six special protection areas and three areas of special character.

A team of four parish councillors spent more than a year compiling the design statement.