Thread by @Karen_Dunn

Worthing Borough Council's planning committee will be meeting at 6.30pm. Should be an interesting one. The agenda is here democracy.adur-worthing.gov.uk/ieListDocument… & will include an audiocast @adurandworthing #LDReporter

@adurandworthing And we're off. Jim Deen is in the chair @adurandworthing #LDReporter

Accusations of 'collusion' have been made against Labour councillors & they have been asked to excuse themselves from the meeting. Earlier today, the Tories published a statement accusing them of meeting 'behind closed doors' about this meeting @adurandworthing #LDReporter

According to Kevin Jenkins, the complaint has been accepted for investigation @adurandworthing #LDReporter

A motion has been tabled saying there is no confidence in the chair. If agreed, Jim Deen will step down & the officer will take over @adurandworthing #LDReporter

Andy Whight denies there has been any 'collusion' & says he always approaches applications with an open mind & says 'That which Councillor Jenkins looks for is not there. There is nothing to see here' @adurandworthing #LDReporter

Others have said the accusations are 'unjustified'. But they can't discuss them due to the investigation @adurandworthing #LDReporter

On to the vote - it's been lost. Cllr Deen stays as chairman @adurandworthing #LDReporter

Kevin Jenkins, Russ Cochran & Noel Atkins have all left the meeting. Officer advises that the meeting is still quorate. So we carry on...
@adurandworthing
#LDReporter

Onto the applications. First up are plans to build an industrial estate at Decoy Farm sussexexpress.co.uk/news/politics/… @adurandworthing #LDReporter

Planning bod is running through the application. There's a window open somewhere as the town clock is very loudly chiming the hour! @adurandworthing #LDReporter

They're still waiting for comments from the South Downs National Park and National Highways. Planning bod said the latter can be 'notoriously slow'. @adurandworthing #LDReporter

Helen Silman asks why 264 parking spaces are needed. Planning bod said they don't know who will be moving in & are trying to make sure the units are marketable. The applicant is Adur & Worthing Councils @adurandworthing #LDReporter

There are a couple of speakers for this one. First is the agent. I wish some one would crank up the volume. Even when people are speaking into the mic it's a strain to hear (either that or my ears are packing up) @adurandworthing #LDReporter

Helen Sillman is impressed with the energy efficiency of the development but less impressed with the design @adurandworthing #LDReporter

She also points out that storage & distribution does not provide a lot of jobs & wonders why it's included. Officer talks about flexibility @adurandworthing #LDReporter

The chair said he was 'excited' when he saw this one on the agenda as it was the first industrial development he'd dealt with. But he said he was a bit disappointed when he actually looked at the application. He thinks the council is 'hiding it away' @adurandworthing #LDReporter

Helen Sillman is talking about the design again. Called it a 'missed opportunity' & said it's 'dark & looks like barracks'. She feels the council has 'done themselves a disservice' & the development is nothing to brag about @adurandworthing #LDReporter

Samuel Theodoridi agrees. Thinks the council could do 'so much better' & make the site 'unique, trendsetting & forward-thinking'. He thinks it needs to be looked at again. So did Cllr Sillman @adurandworthing #LDReporter

The site used to be landfill & has been unused for decades. Officer points out that the emerging Local Plan is very clear about what the site can be used for. He appeals to them & thinks they would have been 'jumping up & down with glee' at the plans @adurandworthing #LDReporter

The development would be made in phases. Chair wonders if they can approve phase 1 & defer the rest @adurandworthing #LDReporter

As the clock strikes again, it's decision time. On to the vote - it's been approved @adurandworthing #LDReporter

They're taking a break & I'm calling it a night. Hopefully the sound on the recording will be easier to hear once the council's tech bods have fiddled with it. Have a good evening @adurandworthing #LDReporter