Titnore Woods latest - "More than 200 trees potentially saved"

James Appleton, Worthing Council's Assistant Director of Planning, revealed on Tuesday afternoon that West Sussex County Council, responsible for road access to the development, was no longer insisting the 875-home plans include the straightening of a sharp bend in Titnore Lane.

He said the change of heart came after receiving government guidance on rural road schemes and environmental impact.

In an unscheduled, "urgent" address to Worthing Council's planning committee, he said officers would now ask the consortium behind the development to submit a new application with the existing bend near South Lodge - and more than 200 trees - intact.

He said: "The consortium clearly has a current planning application that it seeks to be determined but it has indicated to officers today it would be welcome the opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of any roadworks.

"There is the potential for saving over 200 trees with this amendment."

"Obviously it's of interest to the town's many hundreds of people who objected to the application."

It's unclear yet what this news may mean to the eco-protesers who have been engaged in a tree-top-and-tunnel-based protest against the scheme since late May.

But the news may well be of greater significance to the Worthing Society and its threat to take Worthing Council to a judicial review over the future of Titnore Lane.

For the full story, see this week's Herald.