Lancing land sale to allow Ikea and 600 homes to go ahead is supported

Withy Patch caravan park off the A27 at Lancing SUS-181211-085538001

A scrutiny committee has agreed with West Sussex County Council’s decision to declare the Withy Patch gypsy and traveller site, in Lancing, surplus to requirements.

During a virtual meeting on Wednesday (April 15), members also asked Jeremy Hunt, cabinet member for finance, to phase in the expected rent rise faced by travellers when they move to a larger, purpose-built site nearby.

The land, at New Monks Farm, is owned by the council and has been used to house travellers since the late 1980s.

With permission given for an IKEA and 600 homes to be built on New Monks Farm, the council intends to sell the traveller site to developer The Community Stadium Limited.

The blue is the location of the existing gypsy and traveller site, it is planned to be relocated to the green area

The developer will provide a new site almost adjacent to the current one and pay all costs involved with moving the residents.

Better facilities means a rise in rents, and there were concerns from members of the Performance & Finance Scrutiny Committee that this would cause problems for some.

At the end of the meeting, chairman Joy Dennis (Con, Hurstpierpoint & Bolney) said: “This committee recognises concerns over the rent changes and recommends that a phased approach to increases is introduced, particularly while the building development is taking place.”