Concerns over Southwick development

A plan to build 74 new homes on land at Overhill, north Southwick, was put on hold in February following concerns from residents that they would be overlooked and their own properties could be devalued.

Adur District Council believes the land near, Southwick cemetery, would be suitable for two, three and four-bedroom family homes, a mix of private and affordable housing.

The site is currently used for grazing, but has a 1936 covenant on it, stating the land is for cemetery use only.

Building on it would breach this, as does the current grazing use.

Now Shirley King, who lives in Overhill, says she believes if the T-Mobile mast is put up then the area will be a free-for-all for further development.

Mrs King, a 70-year-old widow, is planning to speak against the 8.5m mobile phone mast application when it goes before Adur council's planning committee on Monday.

But as it is under 15m high, it does not need planning permission unless planners decide otherwise.

Mrs King said: "The mast will be opposite my bungalow and near the access to the land where the council wants to build on.

"The new housing is supposed to be for families, so what about the health risks to young children living there?

"I have also discovered that the council has an embargo on any masts on its own land within 50m of a home or school, but obviously this mast wouldn't be on its land."

The council says it has received seven letters of objection from residents in Overhill to the mast but planning officers believe they don't have enough grounds to refuse the application.