A COUNCILLOR has spoken of his “disappointment” at the lack of affordable homes in a major development that has been given the go ahead by the council.

It comes as Worthing Borough Council revealed that as of August this year there were 1,666 households on Worthing’s housing register in need of rehousing.

Councillor Jim Deen, chairman of Worthing Borough Council’s planning committee, spoke as the committee gave the unanimous green light for 287 homes to be built on the site of the old HMRC building at Barrington Road, Goring.

The site, close to Durrington railway station, will also contain a 68-bed care home.

The council said the site had already been given outline planning permission before the current administration of the council came to power.

Read more: 287 homes including houses and four blocks of flats up to five-storeys high approved

The committee has now agreed the details of the scheme, subject to further reports on noise and existing trees.

In the original scheme there were plans for 20 affordable homes out of the total of 287 on the six-hectare site, but after representations the developer, Bellway Homes, agreed to increase this figure by two.

The Argus: An artist's impression of the developmentAn artist's impression of the development (Image: Worthing Borough Council)

Cllr Deen said the council is “determined” to secure a higher proportion of affordable homes in future developments.

"I am disappointed about the number but pleased that we were able to increase the figure if only slightly,” he said.

“The planning committee’s hands were tied given that initial outline approval had been given some time ago.

"However, our expectation in the future is that developers will respond to the very clear message we are sending out that the new administration is determined to secure a higher proportion of affordable homes in future developments to meet the very clear need we have in the town for this type of accommodation."

The Argus: The site is home to the former HMRC buildingThe site is home to the former HMRC building (Image: Worthing Borough Council)

Bellway said that any more affordable units, defined by the government as for people who are priced out of the market, would make the development unviable.

In total there will be 148 one- and two-bedroom apartments in four five-storey blocks, 47 two-bedroom houses, 71 with three and 21 with four.

More than 250 parking spaces have been allocated and a green space with play equipment provided.

As part of the scheme Bellway has committed to prioritising an upgrade of the foot and cycle-path between the two ends of Barrington Road to minimise inconvenience to users. The path is a route to the nearby West Park School and Little Fishes Nursery and is to be resurfaced, made wider and lit as part of the approved development but with the existing adjoining hedgerow remaining.

All developers must contribute to a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which can help improve infrastructure around a site.

Around £350,000 has been contributed from this development. Among the projects to benefit will be £50,000 towards improvements at nearby West Park.