Two bedroom chalet bungalow at Land Adjacent 2 Brighton Road, Lancing

The site and surroundings

The site is grassland on shingle and hard ground beside Brighton Road, next to housing and undeveloped beach with beach huts nearby.

“The application site currently comprises grassland growing upon shingle and hard ground and has a single bar gate and some low planting on its northern boundary. It has previously been used as a car parking area, with a temporary permission granted in 2009 and 2010, but refused on appeal subsequently in 2012 with the Inspector concluding that the further retention of the development would adversely affect the character of the beach as a public recreation area.”

“The nearest property to the site is 2 Brighton Road to the east, a chalet bungalow with roof additions to the rear, and beyond that is 4 Brighton Road, a larger house of some visual character. Further to the east is mixed residential development. Across the road to the north is Drumconner, a care home which has been the subject of various extensions and Milford Court, a large block of flats that is widely visible in the area.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier homes and a former car park were refused or dismissed on appeal, while the current scheme followed a 2025 refusal concerning flood risk.

“Previous applications for a dwelling were refused in 2007 and twice in 2023, in addition to the application refused in 2025. Those 2023 applications both went to appeal and were dismissed. The 2025 refusal has also been appealed.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to a self-build legal agreement and conditions, considering the design, flood safety and lack of demonstrable harm acceptable.

“The proposed development of one house within the built up area is considered to be acceptable in principle and the amendments since the refusal in 2023 have resulted in a building of acceptable scale and design. The proposal is safe in flood risk terms and, given that the Council cannot demonstrate a 5 Year Housing Land Supply of deliverable housing sites, there is a strong presumption in favour of allowing this application given the lack of demonstrable harm.”

“Subject to the completion of a legal agreement to secure an undertaking to ensure that the development is constructed as a self build…”

Officer report

What consultees said

Highways, environmental health, drainage, the Environment Agency, Southern Water and the parish council raised no objection, subject to requirements and conditions.

“West Sussex County Council: No objection from a transport/highways aspect subject to conditions to secure access, car and cycle parking. Comments that the applicant proposes a new vehicle crossover to serve the site. The proposed access works would be subject to a licence obtained through the local WSCC Highway Area Office, and constructed to a specification agreed with the local WSCC Highway Area Engineer.”

“-Environmental Health officer: has no objection subject to conditions relating to hours of working, noise protection for residents, Construction Management Plan and precautionary contaminated land condition.”

Officer report

What people said

Four residents objected over flooding, privacy, construction, traffic, environmental effects, ownership and the site’s character; one nearby occupier supported the proposal with safeguards.

“Increased noise and air pollution • Lack of space for construction vehicles and equipment • Loss of privacy and light • Control needed over hours of construction • Overdevelopment • Increased traffic on A259 • Previous objections still apply • Plot is not as wide as shown on site plan – title deed shows it as being narrower • This area is used as entry point for vehicles who work on the beaches • Not clear if the applicant owns the land • Damage to flora and fauna •…”

“Contrary to Local Plan policies • Still out of keeping with the character of the area • Adverse impact on highway safety/pedestrian/cycle way safety • Risk of flooding • Loss of part of beach/undeveloped part of seafront • The proposal is contrary to policies 13 and 15 of the Adur Local Plan which require the protection and enhancement of the coast as an area of landscape character, to respect the existing natural features of the site and make a positive contribution to…”

Officer report

Who spoke

One speaker objected over flooding, environmental harm and land ownership, while another supported the application and addressed ownership and beach access.

Members’ discussion

Members found no reason to refuse permission but wanted construction kept off the beach and parking and material storage carefully controlled.

“During debate members concurred that there was no reason not to give planning permission to this application. Members were keen to ensure that no construction activities encroached onto the beach and that parking and storage of materials was carefully controlled. Officers confirmed that condition 5 required a Construction Management Plan.”

Minutes

The vote

Members voted unanimously to accept the officers’ recommendation and approve the application.

“A proposal was put forward to accept the Officers recommendations and approve the application. This was seconded and voted in favour of unanimously.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to a legal agreement securing self-build construction and the listed planning conditions.

“Decision - Application approved subject to completion of a legal agreement to secure an undertaking to ensure that the development is constructed as a self build 1”

“Approved Plans 2. 3 year time limit for commencement 3. Hours of construction 8am-6pm Monday-Friday, 8.30am-1pm on Saturdays. No working on Sundays/Public Holidays 4. Noise protection scheme to be submitted and approved 5. Construction Management Plan to be submitted and approved 6. Precautionary contaminated land 7. Landscaping 8. Final details of sustainability measures to be approved and implemented 9.”

Minutes