CAMPAIGNERS are planning to march over proposals to build an Ikea superstore after more than 1,000 objections were made to developers’ plans.

The store would be built on the New Monks Farm site near Shoreham Airport, where plans are also in place to build 600 homes, a school and a 28-hectare country park.

Members of the Lancing Manor Residents’ Network are hoping for a large turnout at the protest through the village on May 12, before they hold a demonstration at Shoreham Market later in the morning.

Barb O’Kelly, chairwoman of Adur Residents Environmental Action (Area) group, said: “This is not an objection to new development or housing, but it needs to be sustainable, needs to have the infrastructure and should not be to the detriment of our health and environment.

“Ikea belongs in a business park, not on a flood plain which is vital to the area’s drainage.

“Many people are deeply worried about the health problems that the growing levels of pollution will bring and that the traffic congestion will create further problems for commuters and businesses.”

The £170 million New Monks Farm proposals have only received about 50 statements of support compared with more than 1,000 objections.

Some of the most recent changes made to proposals for the store include reducing the height of the building and a footpath to run alongside the river nearby.

Residents claim the development would cause traffic problems in the area and lead to increased pollution.

The Government has already allocated £5.7 million worth of funding for roadworks as part of the plans.

Brighton and Hove Albion, in partnership with CalaHomes (South Home Counties), are behind the development.

Protesters will meet in Grinstead Lane and at the Toll Bridge at 10am on the day of the march.

The plans are yet to be approved after councillors voted in favour of Adur District Council’s local plan last December.

The local plan, which aims to guide development in the area until 2032, contains a number of large building projects, including 3,718 properties and 41,000 square metres of commercial space.

Adur District Council’s planning committee will discuss the New Monks Farm proposals in June.