A public inquiry into plans to build 475 homes on green land will begin next month. Worthing Borough Council said the rearranged Chatsmore Farm inquiry will begin on September 17. The inquiry comes after developer Persimmon Homes continues to push for permission to build 475 properties on the green gap between Worthing and Ferring despite losing a series of court challenges.
READ MORE: How derelict site will be used before 250-home development is built The housebuilder first submitted a planning application in 2021, however this was rejected by the council. The developer then appealed this decision and was supported by the planning inspectorate. The council then appealed itself in the hope of going back to its initial decision and a bench of three judges at the High Court eventually ruled in favour of the council in June 2023.
In a written statement, Judge Sir Keith Lindblom said the High Court had been right to overturn the decision of the planning inquiry because the planning inspector had not explained why he thought the development would not damage the South Downs National Park. A new planning inquiry with a new planning inspector was then confirmed for 2024. It was first set to be held in February to hear evidence about Persimmon’s planning application, but these dates had to be scrapped when the inspector involved became ill.
The inquiry will now take place next month. A spokesman for Worthing Borough Council said: "As a council for the community, we are clear - our green spaces are vital for our health and the health of our planet. "This includes Chatsmore Farm and we will fight to protect it from development.
" At the inquiry, a planning inspector will begin hearing evidence at Worthing Town Hall on September 17 at 10am. There will be further sessions in the same room from 9.30am to 4pm on September 18, 24, 25 and 26.
Further hearings, which are all open to the public, can then be held on October 1, 2 and 3..
