Worthing Council Leader, Cllr Dr Beccy Cooper has joined locals in the latest community protest against house building at Chatsmore Farm in Goring.

Housing developer Persimmon has objected to Worthing Borough Council’s refusal of planning permission to build on the green space which contains Ferring Rife and forms a significant green corridor linking the South Downs to the sea. However these decisions have been upheld in Court.

Persimmon has now requested a Public Inquiry to contest the Court decision. The inquiry will start in February and residents are invited to check the Council’s Facebook page facebook.com/WorthingBoroughCouncil/ for further updates on start dates and times.

Dr Cooper joined with local residents, cross party councillors, MPs and other members of the community in protest to send a clear message to the developers ahead of the start of the Inquiry.

Cllr Dr Beccy Cooper said in a statement:

“Worthing Borough Council has consistently refused permission to build houses on Chatsmore Farm. Worthing is 95% developed, with the smallest amount of green space per person in the country (less than a snooker table!)

“As we all know, green space is essential for our health and the health of our planet. Our requirement for homes here must now be met with our remaining brownfield sites and making better use of the housing and other buildings that we already have.”