Nine-Flat Bognor Development Refused Over Environmental And Planning Issues

Plans for a nine-flat development in Bognor have been refused, despite council officers finding the building’s design and parking arrangements acceptable.

The proposal for a site on Annandale Avenue attracted 35 objections from local residents, who raised concerns about the size and density of the development, overcrowding and pressure on parking.

Bognor Regis Town Council also objected, describing the proposed building as too dominant for the street.

However, planning officers said the building would appear as two storeys with accommodation in the roof, rather than a three-storey building, and would not be overbearing.

The plans included just three parking spaces for the nine flats.

Although this was below the council’s usual parking standards, officers said a survey found nearby roads were around 81% occupied overnight and concluded that parking alone was not sufficient grounds to refuse the scheme.

Instead, the application was rejected because of a number of outstanding technical and environmental issues.

These included the absence of required bat surveys, a biodiversity net gain plan and groundwater and infiltration testing.

The developer also failed to secure an £8,766 contribution towards strategic access management at Pagham Harbour.