A meeting of key county-wide stakeholders took place in Arun with the aim of trying to address housing problems across West Sussex.

Hosted by Arun District Council and organised with the help of housing and homelessness charity Shelter, around 60 delegates met to discuss how best to deliver more sustainable neighbourhoods across Arun and the whole of West Sussex.

Government agencies, Councillors, local authority planning and housing officers, developers and housing associations all came together to discuss current problems and try to develop solutions.

The delegates explored how sustainable communities can be achieved, both in Arun and across West Sussex, and how new housing can be delivered in the face of the current economic downturn.

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Many practical approaches were discussed, including adopting a much more creative and flexible approach to solving recurring problems and agreeing to meet more regularly to try and ease suffering.

Arun District Council Leader, Mrs Gillian Brown, said: "I am delighted that we have been able to work with Shelter to organise this event in order to make some positive steps towards addressing housing issues in our area.

"The whole of Britain is facing a housing shortage, and due to the credit crunch, delivering the right housing for local people is becoming increasingly difficult. We are determined to work with our local, regional and national partners to find practical ways of meeting housing need whilst also helping to establish communities that will grow and thrive in the future."

Mrs Brown also confirmed that the findings of the event will feed into Arun's 'Core Strategy 'Options for Growth' public consultation which runs until 2 April. The seven week consultation is inviting comments from the public on the Council's proposals about where thousands of new homes, as well as new jobs, improved transport and community facilities, could be located over the next 20 years.

(CD/JM)