Welcome to our website which will provide you with lots of information on the emerging proposals to develop the Land at Toddington Lane, Toddington, Littlehampton.
This Site presents an opportunity to deliver an environmentally and socially sustainable residential development with wider benefits to the local area. Our ambition is to provide 10 modern and much-needed new affordable family homes with new landscaping, communal and private gardens, and improvements to the existing site entrance.
On this website you will find more information about our proposals, and how to have your say. There is also a project timeline, and you can find answers to your questions as we receive them during the consultation period in the Q&A section. The various consultation materials will be added as they become available in the library section.
If you would like to receive direct email updates about this project, please sign up to our mailing list using the Register button below.
Worthing Homes is a community-based Housing Association, which provides homes and services to around 4,000 households living in our properties in Worthing and surrounding areas. We are a service-based organisation, which employs brilliant people to work with our customers to help support them to live their best lives.
Set up in 1999, when Worthing Borough Council transferred its residential properties to a newly formed organisation to receive the entire social housing stock. This then triggered a new regime of ongoing planned investment, to make sure the homes were maintained to a high standard and to invest in the development of new housing for the future.
The organisation has gone from strength to strength. We continue to look after our properties through a programme of planned and compliance works, as well as explore new opportunities to keep expanding the number and types of homes we can offer.
As a registered provider and a registered charity, we are regulated by and accountable to The Regulator of Social Housing, a government body, for our actions and policies.
We are proud to be a member of PlaceShapers, a national alliance of more than 100 community-focused housing associations.
The Government’s definition as stated in the National Planning Policy Framework (December 2023), often referred to as the ‘NPPF’ is: “housing for sale or rent, for those whose needs are not met by the market (including housing that provides a subsidised route to home ownership and/or is for essential local workers).
There are four categories of affordable housing:
Affordable housing for rent
Starter homes/First Homes Scheme
Discounted market sales housing
Other affordable routes to home ownership (including shared ownership)
Affordable housing for rent means that all the following conditions must be met:
the rent is set in accordance with the Government’s rent policy for Social Rent or Affordable Rent or is at least 20% below local market rents (including service charges where applicable).
the landlord is a registered provider.
it includes provisions to remain at an affordable price for future eligible households, or for the subsidy to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision.
Shared ownership is an affordable route to home ownership for those that cannot buy a home through the market. Shared ownership means that people have the chance to purchase a share of a property, while paying a subsidised rent on the remaining share.
The Site Location
The Site is located in the village of Toddington in West Sussex and is surrounded by a mix of residential housing, light industrial uses and green space. The Site is bounded by Toddington Lane to the north and east. To the south, the Site is adjacent to Toddington Farm Cottages with the railway line beyond that, and to the west lies the light industrial Hollyacre Business Park.
Site location and the surrounding area (click to enlarge)
The Site is approximately 0.4 hectares and was previously occupied by P&O Scaffolding Services Ltd. There is one remaining dilapidated concrete barn on the Site, which is planned to be demolished. Current access for pedestrians and cars is via Toddington Lane which is shared with the residents of 1-3 Toddington Farm Cottages.
Existing site photo showing dilapidated barn
Existing site photo showing western boundary with Hollyacre Business Park
Existing site photo showing site entrance and Toddington Farm Cottages from the northwest
Existing site photo showing site entrance
Key Development Themes
Worthing Homes’ ambition for this Site is to achieve high energy efficiency standards, with modern future-proof design and sustainability at the forefront. We’ve developed four Key Development Themes that have helped to guide the design of our emerging proposals.
1. Mordern Energy Effifiecnt Homes
Potential to reduce carbon emissions during construction and occupancy.
Designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce overheating.
Low carbon heating, combined with on-site energy production (solar panels).
Homes insulated to a very high standard.
2. Future-proof Design
Flexible house types and layouts to accommodate the needs of different lifesyles and age groups.
Modern design incorporating local materials in a contemporary way.
Energy management systems and smart metering to improve energy efficiency.
Materials and construction methods aiming to minimise environmental impact.
3. Landscape and Biodiversity Enhancements
Opportunities to create enhanced planted areas.
Site boundaries could be enhanced with native plants, trees and shrubs.
A variety of new plants introduced around the Site to encourage pollinators and provide vibrant colour all year round.
Seek to achieve Biodiversty Net Gain, in accordance with government requirements.
4. Sustainable Transport Solutions
Electric car charging points incorporated into the design.
Encourage the use of bicycles, including introducing shared routes from the Site with clear connections to nearby cycle routes.
A variety of new plants introduced around the Site to encourage pollinators and provide vibrant colour all year round.
Encourage better pedestrian accessibility, both within the Site and nearby pedestrian routes.
The Emerging Proposals
We are still in the early design stage, but this illustrative masterplan shows how we think the new homes, access routes and open and recreational spaces could be delivered on the site.
Proposed site layout showing new homes, communal and private gardens, enhanced boundary planting and the improved site entrance (click to enlarge)
Illustrative view of the Site entrance from Toddington Lane (click to enlarge)
Illustrative view showing boundary planting from Toddington Lane (click to enlarge)
Illustrative view into the Site from the site entrance (click to enlarge)
Illustrative aerial view of the Site from the northeast (click to enlarge)
Illustrative aerial view of the Site from the south (click to enlarge)
Illustrative view showing design of new terrace homes (click to enlarge)
Sustainability
Our high sustainability standards ensure that the new homes and spaces we build today are fit for the future.
Water and energy efficient homes that include the use of low and zero carbon technology (solar panels and air source heat pumps) and reduce energy demand for future residents.
Careful consideration of window placement and materials that will create a balance between insulating during colder months and reducing overheating during warmer months.
Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems that will provide fresh, filtered air to new homes while recovering heat from outgoing air to help improve indoor air quality and reduce
energy costs for future residents.
Design and Materials
The proposed design and materials have been chosen to reflect and complement the character of the surrounding area.
Layout designed to preserve key views and public areas.
Windows carefully placed to reduce any potential overlooking and maintain privacy for neighbouring properties.
Proposed materials include light brickwork, referencing the use of flint work in the local area.
Proposed use of artificial slate roofing tiles with inset solar panels.
Light timber effect front doors.
Landscape and Ecology
Our landscape and ecology strategy aims to create a high-quality environment for new and existing residents.
Proposed landscape plan showing new and enhanced planting throughout the Site. (click to enlarge)
We are aiming to provide as large a percentage of Biodiversity Net Gain as possible on the Site. Biodiversity Net Gain means that the Site’s natural environment would be in a better state than before by safeguarding and improving ecosystems.
Northern and southern site boundaries planted with native plants, trees and shrubs to enhance biodiversity and retain existing habitats and wildlife.
Private and communal gardens designed for easy maintenance with native plants, trees, and shrubs.
Drainage and Flooding
Flood Risk
The Site is located entirely within Flood Zone 1, which is the most suitable zone for any type of potential development.
The Site is also at a very low risk for all other potential sources of flooding, including tidal, reservoir, surface water, groundwater and sewage.
Surface water drainage
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) could be included as part of the development. SuDS are designed to efficiently and sustainably drain surface water from the Site and to ensure flood risk will not increase either on-site or elsewhere because of the development.
Foul water drainage
It is proposed that the new homes will be connected to the mains drainage network. There should be no significant difficulty in connecting the new development to the existing water and foul
water infrastructure.
Access Transport
Access
The existing entrance to the Site will be retained off Toddington Lane and will be significantly improved and widened to 4.8 metres to allow for two-way vehicle access and pedestrian access.
Refuse and emergency vehicles will access the Site via the improved wider entrance.
A turning area will be provided to allow refuse and emergency vehicles to safely enter and exit the Site.
As per the North Littlehampton Masterplan the railway level crossing at Toddington Lane is planned to be closed when West Sussex County Council complete the Lyminster Bypass. It is anticipated that the closure of the level crossing will significantly reduce the volume and speed of traffic, enhancing safety along Toddington Lane and promoting more sustainable forms of transport such as walking and cycling.
Bicycle and pedestrian routes
Pedestrian access to the Site would be provided through access points on the northern boundary from Toddington Lane and from the existing entrance to the Site.
Cycling will be encouraged for new residents through the provision of bicycle storage in each property and shared routes from the Site with clear connections to nearby cycle routes, as shown
above.
Walking will be encouraged by improving footpaths and pedestrian accessibility.
Pedestrian walkways throughout the Site would be designed to be safe and accessible for those with reduced mobility.
Cycle routes in the local area around the Site (click to enlarge)
Public Transport links
Existing bus stops on Seaton Road, Worthing Road and Horsham Road are within a 15-minute walk and provide good access to Holmbush Shopping Centre and Arundel (bus route 9) and Brighton,
Worthing, and Wick (bus route 700).
Parking
Each home will have two car parking spaces and there will be one visitor parking space within the Site (21 total).
Parking spaces will be integrated with landscaping to reduce hard surfacing as much as possible.
New residents will benefit from electric car charging points.
Have Your Say
Our public consultation has now closed
We hosted a live public webinar and Q&A session on Thursday 11th July 2024.
If you were unable to join our live public webinar, the presentation slides and a recording of the event are available to view in the library section.
We are currently reviewing all feedback received and your comments will be shared with the project team to consider as we work towards developing the final scheme.
Our planning application will be submitted to Arun District Council later this summer with a decision expected later this year. When the planning application has been submitted and validated by Arun District Council, we will update this website with instructions to access the application documents through the Council’s planning application search.
Q&A
By building family homes in Arun District Council, families in need of affordable housing can stay in Littlehampton close to their extended families, friends and existing commitments. The need for small family homes in the area has grown considerably and the demographic location of Toddington Lane already has many similar sized homes.
These homes are 100% affordable which means priority will be given to people with housing need in Arun. The homes will be allocated through direct nomination from the Arun District Council waiting list, or through Shared Ownership allocation.
No trees are proposed to be removed as part of this development.
We intend to provide two parking spaces per home plus an additional one visitor parking space (21 total).
The proposed new homes would be approximately 9 metres at their tallest with an approximate height from the ground to the eaves of the new homes of 5.5 metres.
No, additional streetlights are not currently proposed along the improved access road into the new development.
If planning permission is granted, works could start on site in early 2025 though this is subject to change as the design and planning process progresses.
A Construction Management Plan (CMP) would form part of our planning application submission and would be a condition if our application is approved. The CMP would require the development to comply with agreed standards for site logistics, access for construction vehicles, dust mitigation measures, pollution control, disturbance minimisation and any other construction matter deemed relevant for the Site. The final CMP would be the result of extensive discussions with the Local Planning Authority.
Any appointed contractors would be required to provide regular updates to local residents on the nature of works to be conducted and the dates for those works. A site manager would be appointed to act as the primary point of contact for construction-related enquiries.
As per the North Littlehampton Masterplan the railway level crossing at Toddington Lane is planned to be closed when West Sussex County Council complete the Lyminster Bypass. It is anticipated that the closure of the level crossing will significantly reduce the volume and speed of traffic, enhancing safety along Toddington Lane and promoting more sustainable forms of transport such as walking and cycling.
To improve the safety of residents, the entrance to the Site will be widened to 4.8m to provide two-way and emergency/refuse vehicle access.
We understand that new pedestrian walkways and improvements to existing walkways are coming forward as part of the nearby Persimmon development, including to the north of the Site. As we are proposing to provide a pedestrian access point to the Site along the northern boundary from Toddington Lane, new and existing residents could safely walk through the Site rather than along Toddington Lane.
We understand that the nearby Persimmon development to the east of the Site includes proposed changes to Toddington Lane for both vehicles, pedestrians, and drainage. We understand that this hasn’t been approved but is progressing. These proposed improvements will be integrated into our drainage strategy for the Site to ensure surface water is drained efficiently and sustainably, including along this corner.
Subject to planning permission being granted for the new homes, we anticipate that construction could take around 12 to 15 months based on our knowledge of projects of similar size/location. However, this timeframe is indicative only and subject to change.
A key priority for this development is to reduce energy consumption as much as possible using Passivhaus* principles and low and zero carbon technology. Passivhaus* is a voluntary standard to measure the energy efficiency of a building, and it includes taking an approach to reduce energy consumption by:
Optimising the orientation of homes and using simple building forms
Increasing levels of insulation
Reducing draughts and cold spots
Integrating systems like air source heat pumps and photo voltaic (solar) panels (with potential for battery storage to benefit residents as much as possible).
These aspects lead to a reduced energy usage and lower associated carbon emissions, improving the sustainability of the development.
*Passive House (Passivhaus in German) is a voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a building, which reduces the building’s ecological footprint. It results in ultra-efficient buildings that require little energy for space heating or cooling.
As this is a 100% affordable housing development with a controlled budget, the financial viability of including rainwater and grey water systems will need to be investigated further. However, we are still in the early stages of developing our drainage strategy, and we could explore the use of these systems, and external rainwater harvesting features like water butts, later in the design process.
We are still in the early stages of the design process and the split between affordable rent and shared ownership is not final. The current split we are working towards is 70% affordable rent and 30% shared ownership, but this is subject to change as we progress through the design and planning process. There will be no market sale/rent homes as part of this development.
Worthing Homes has an internal property/grounds management team that would assume responsibility for the Site once the new homes are built and occupied. There would be no additional service charge for new residents.
At the moment, we are currently in discussions with Southern Water and the nearby Persimmon development to agree these connections.
To improve the safety of this access road, it is proposed that it would be widened to 4.8m to allow two-way and emergency/refuse vehicle access. To accommodate these improvements to the access road and site entrance, these shrubs would need to be removed.
Timeline
Throughout the pre-application planning programme, we will be in ongoing discussions with planning officers and stakeholders about our emerging ideas to develop the Site.
The timings set out below are target dates and subject to change as we progress through the design and planning process.
Thursday 11th July 2024Live Public Webinar with Q&A session and launch of consultation.
Friday 26th July 2024 Consultation period closes and deadline for comments.
Late Summer 2024 Submission of planning application.
Autumn 2024Expected determination of planning application by Arun District Council.
Early 2025Works to start on site subject to planning permission being granted.
Public Webinar - Thursday 11th July 2024View/Download
Contact Us
If you have any comments or questions, please contact us using the details below.
Send us a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can:toddingtonlanelittlehampton@stantec.com
If you want to chat to someone, give us a call (from 9.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday): 020 7446 6869
If you would prefer to put pen to paper: Toddington Lane Littlehampton Community Engagement Team C/O Stantec 7 Soho Square London W1D 3QB
The planning application for the Land at Toddington Lane, Littlehampton has now been submitted to Arun District Council’s planning, building and regeneration department.
We would like to thank everyone who has shown an interest in our proposal and shared their valuable comments, suggestions, and opinions with us.
The information and material on this website are related to the pre-application consultation period in July 2024 and will remain accessible until the planning application has been determined.
We take data protection seriously. Please only provide your personal details if you are willing for them to be used by Stantec and the project team for the purpose of research in connection with this project and in order to update you on the progress of the project. All comments received may be anonymised and included within our planning application submission. Your details will be treated as confidential and will not be shared, passed on or used by any third parties and they will only be retained until the end of the planning process for the project, after which time they will be deleted. If you wish to withdraw consent to the processing of your personal data, you may do so by emailing: toddingtonlanelittlehampton@stantec.com
We take data protection seriously. Please only provide your personal details if you are willing for them to be used by Stantec and the project team for the purpose of research in connection with this project and in order to update you on the progress of the project. All comments received may be anonymised and included within our planning application submission. Your details will be treated as confidential and will not be shared, passed on or used by any third parties and they will only be retained until the end of the planning process for the project, after which time they will be deleted. If you wish to withdraw consent to the processing of your personal data, you may do so by emailing: toddingtonlanelittlehampton@stantec.com
