Worthing Society Press Release.

Local residents should be aware that The Worthing Society continues to fight the proposals to straighten Titnore Lane which would have so devastating an effect on the ancient woodland through which it runs. result in the felling of substantial numbers of trees. 

The Society’s solicitors latest position is that we have today told issued a letter to the Head of Legal Services at Worthing Borough Council that if the Council grants planning permission for these proposed alterations to Titnore Lane, the Society will apply for a judicial review to quash the grant of permission. with the hope that this will lead to a judicial review. 

The Society has taken advice from counsel on the validity of the recommendation of Worthing’s Development Control Committee to approve planning permission for the alterations to Titnore Lane.. This advice is that the recommendation is defective in five main areas, so that the Society is likely to succeed in a judicial review seeking to have the approval quashed. grounds on which we are basing our challenge are as follows:-

The Society believes that the Development Control Committee was consistently misled by the officers of West Sussex County Council about the case for straightening Titnore Lane and the reasons why WSCC wanted to alter the lane.

The Society believes that WSCC’s officers misled the Development Control Committee about

· the regulations affecting the design of road improvements 
· WSCC’s policy and practice on 40mph speed limits, and the effects such speed limits might have
· The nature of the accident problem in Titnore Lane, and therefore about the works most needed to alleviate it
1)· The reasons why WSCC wanted to straighten the lane 

That the Council has:-

1)In addition, Worthing Borough Council has failed to implement its own decision to accept all the Planning Inspector’s recommendations about the development at West Durrington.

All these factors have led to a defective recommendation. If planning permission is granted on the basis of this recommendation, the Society expects the courts would quash the grant of permission.. 
failed to consider the correct design standards for new junctions on roads;
2)failed to give proper consideration to the use of a 40mph speed limit on Titnore Lane;
3)failed to take into account the nature of the accident problem on Titnore Lane;
4)misguided itself on the purpose of the improvements;
5)failed to implement its agreement to accept all of the Inspector’s recommendations on the Worthing Local Plan Review.

As the funds of the Worthing Society are limited, any donations towards the cost of this legal action to save Titnore Lane would be very welcome. Please make any cheques payable to The Worthing Society (Titnore Campaign) and address them to 3 Ilex Way, Goring-by-Sea, BN12 4UZ. 

The Worthing Society