Arun District Council is to conduct a widespread public investigation into the proposed siting of an eco-town at Ford.

Members resolved to establish a special Select Committee at a special cabinet meeting that will examine exactly how suitable the proposed location at Ford is to site a new town.

If the resolution is approved at the next full council meeting on 30 April, the special committee, made up of around eight district Councillors and advised by a senior independent planner, will immediately begin a public enquiry into the sustainability of plans to build at least 5,000 new houses at Ford.

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This would involve calling for evidence to be heard from, most pertinently, the promoters of the two schemes at Ford, but also all other interested parties including promoters of alternative development sites in Arun, Cabinet members with relevant portfolios, County, Town and Parish Councils, Government Departments and Public Agencies.

Local residents and businesses will also be approached to give evidence in order for the Committee to examine if the site at Ford is actually more sustainable than others in the District.

In addition, Government ministers are to be invited by the Council to come and observe the findings of the Select Committee enquiry.

The Committee will finally report their findings back to the Council with any recommendations to be considered at a special Full Council meeting at the end of June.

(CD/JM)