A CAMPAIGN has been launched seeking to challenge Adur Council’s controversial decision to allow an Ikea store and 600 homes to be built at the New Monks Farm area to the north-west of Shoreham Airport.

The campaign is also opposing a major industrial development in the north-east corner of the airport.

Councillors approved the applications after a heated public meeting in October last year.

However one of the main objectors, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), says the issue is far from settled.

It says the controversial scheme should not be considered a “done deal” as the planning permissions still need clearance at Government level.

CPRE Sussex is urging the Local Government and Communities Secretary James Brokenshire to “call in” the applications for further examination, taking into account strong and detailed objections expressed by itself, the South Downs National Park Authority, Friends of the Earth, Adur Residents Environmental Action, Sussex Wildlife Trust and 1,300 local residents.

The objections were based on multiple issues including air pollution, traffic congestion, flood risk, utility capacity and environmental damage.

As well as the extensive housing (allowed for in the Adur Local Plan despite concerns about the impact on local infrastructure), the proposals include a new primary school, business and commercial premises in addition to the Ikea store, plus a 24-hectare country park which was added in response to concerns over loss of open space.