Decision details

In October 2018 the Planning Committee of Adur District Council resolved to approve a planning application for 600 new houses and a retail store, to be built in Lancing on the site known as New Monks Farm, subject to completion of a section 106 planning agreement.     

The County Council is a landowner of the gypsy and traveller site known as Withy Patch, which forms a small part of the land within the proposed development scheme.  The gypsy and traveller site is currently located at the proposed access to the development site from the A27.

The County Council has been in negotiation with the developers, The Community Stadium Ltd (TCSL) regarding the sale or disposal by the County Council of the current gypsy and traveller site at Withy Patch and the provision of a new gypsy and traveller site within the New Monks Farm development.   

This report seeks approval to declare the site known as Withy Patch Caravan Park, Old Shoreham Road, North Lancing surplus to operational requirements on the basis that the County Council enters into a development agreement with TCSL. TCSL is required to construct a new Gypsy and Traveller site to an agreed specification within the New Monks Farm development.

The County Council is engaged with current site residents at Withy Patch and will continue to keep them updated on the progress of the new site and plans for new site facilities.  Current site residents will be offered relocation to the new Gypsy and Traveller site on completion and support during transition and subsequent transfer arrangements. 

The Cabinet Member has agreed:

1.   That the current Withy Patch Gypsy and Traveller Site be declared surplus to service operational requirements on the basis that the County Council enters into a development agreement with The Community Stadium Limited (TCSL) for TCSL to construct a new Gypsy and Traveller site, to an agreed specification, within the New Monks Farm development; and that

2.   Authority is delegated to the Director Property and Assets in consultation with the Director Law and Assurance to complete the development agreement and the land transfer transaction.

In response to a recommendation from the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee, at a meeting on 15 April,  the Cabinet Member has also agreed a phased approach to any rent increases for tenants of the new Gypsy and Traveller site, particularly whilst the building development is taking place. 

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