The application from Vistry Homes Ltd, for land south of Broadbridge Way, was given the nod by the planning committee on Tuesday (January 6) – but it was by no means unanimous.
The development will be made up of 57 houses and 35 flats, with 34 of the new homes being classed as affordable. As well as an access via Carter Drive, it will include a new junction onto Sargent Way.
This was where the problem lay for a number of councillors and many objectors.
West Sussex County Council held a consultation in the autumn looking at the “inappropriate level of traffic movements” through a nearby car park and “through” traffic along Sargent Way.
The road loops round, meeting Broadbridge Way at two junctions, and one of the proposed solutions to the traffic problems is to close one of those junctions.
A number of councillors had concerns about the traffic problems in the area and questioned the wisdom of adding to them.
Mike Croker (Green, Upper Beeding and Woodmancote) called for the application to be deferred until the committee had a better understanding of how traffic would move around the site.
But officers insisted that the application and the consultation were completely separate matters.
They added that granting planning permission would not prejudice the outcome of the consultation and vice versa.
Mr Croker’s call for a deferral was voted down by seven votes to seven with one abstention, with chairman Len Ellis-Brown (Green, Pulborough, Coldwaltham & Amberley) using his casting vote.
The application was then approved by eight votes to four with three abstentions.
The council has received 61 objections to the plans, with concerns raised including over-development, a lack of infrastructure, road safety, and the impact on wildlife.
An objection from Sussex Police said that the additional strain placed on resources “would have a negative impact on policing”.
And Broadbridge Heath Parish Council said it would “strongly object” to any plans to route traffic via Carter Drive, which is quite narrow in places.
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