Plans approved for new IKEA in Sussex

Plans for the New Monks Farm development, including an IKEA superstore and 600 homes in Lancing have been approved. Adur District Council's Planning Committee held a meeting on Wednesday night (October, 4). Members voted 5-3 in favour of the scheme. The council officers who were in favour said there would be much-needed housing and significant local economic benefit. In response to the approval, Tim Farlam, Real Estate Manager for IKEA UK and Ireland, said: "We are pleased that Adur District Council has supported the planning application for the New Monks Farm Development, including a proposed new IKEA store. "Throughout this process we have held regular discussions with the local community, and we have considered the various comments raised by residents to ensure we are able to meet the needs of both IKEA and the surrounding community." A separate application was also discussed at the planning meeting for a new business park next to Shoreham Airport. The scheme, which would be the size of almost four football pitches was approved by a 5-2 vote with one abstention. A report to the planning committee said it is considered the two proposals are able to compliment each other and provide a variety of jobs. However, according to Adur District Council, the scheme could still be 'called in' by the Secretary of State for consideration on procedural grounds. They also said opponents have six months to call for judicial review. In an online post, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, Tim Loughton said: "Together with many local organisations and environmental groups I posed a series of questions to answer before approval which were not properly answered last night. "I will therefore be seeking an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State for Local Government further to my earlier request to call in this application and scrutinise it much more closely for its long term impact on the whole area." Campaigners are concerned about the impact a new IKEA store would have to congestion levels on the A27. The chairman of the Sussex branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, David Johnson, said the decision will significantly damage the landscape. He is encouraging anyone with concerns for the development to contact the Secretary of State to call in the application for scrutiny.