FORD ECO-TOWN: Eight to lead in-depth inquiry into Ford project

Cllr Graham Tyler (Rustington East), Cllr Ann Smee (Bersted), Cllr Melissa Briggs (Barnham), Cllr Terence Chapman (East Preston), Cllr Dudley Wensley (Angmering), Cllr Trevor Bence (Bognor Pevensey), Cllr Dr James Walsh (Littlehampton Beach) and Cllr Ian Buckland (Littlehampton River) will hear a wide range of evidence about the viability of the two proposals.

Their inquiry will start on May 27 and continue for six days.

The committee will be chaired by Cllr Tyler.

He said: "This is going to be an open, professional and unbiased investigation into the viability of establishing an eco-town at Ford. The members of the committee and I are entering into this with completely open minds and will examine all of the evidence placed in front of us with complete objectivity. We will come to a conclusion based on evidence and facts, and with the help of our independent planning advisor, submit a report to the government that reflect this."

The councillors were selected against a strict set of criteria to ensure the committee's independence and produces an unbiased review.

Councillors were overlooked if they had a professional or personal interest in the eco-town proposals, or lived or represented one of the affected wards.

The committee '“ with six Conservatives and two Liberal Democrats '“ also reflects the political balance of the council.

The councillors will be joined by Jim Redwood, who will pose questions on their behalf.

Mr Redwood is the former director of environment and housing at Crawley Borough Council. He is now a consultant with a private planning practice.

The committee has been set up by Arun to make public the views for and against the eco-town plans by the Ford Airfield Vision Group and Ford Enterprise Hub.

This is in contrast to the government's private decision-making which led to Ford being chosen as one of 15 possible locations for the ten eco-towns it wants to see built in the next two decades.

The committee will consider issues such as roads and transport and housing and community infrastructure.

Its report will be considered by councillors on June 30 on the government's deadline for comments about the schemes. Cllr Mrs Brown described the setting up of the committee as 'one of the biggest decisions made by the council'. Staging the committee's meetings will cost Arun 30,000.