The appeal against the refusal of a 475-home development on green land is entering its final stage.

The plans by developer Persimmon Homes, proposed for land north-west of Goring station known as Chatsmore Farm, are nearing a decision by the Planning Inspectorate.

On Thursday, closing statements were read out by the developer and Worthing Borough Council, which does not want to see the plans approved.

The council argued the development would “fundamentally alter the character of the appeal site as open agricultural land, undermine its role as a spatially important local green gap between the settlements of Goring and Ferring and result in significant adverse landscape and visual effects”. It has recommended the planning inspector refuse the plans.

Meanwhile, Persimmon Homes argued there is an “exceptionally high need and pitiful supply” of housing, while concerns raised by third parties and the council have been refuted on the basis of their updated or existing plans. It said issues voiced had already been resolved “to the satisfaction of the council”.

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The decision now lies with the planning inspector on the basis of the evidence presented.

The Argus contacted the Planning Inspectorate for an estimate, but it was unable to provide a time frame. A spokesman said the decision will come “as soon as reasonably possible”.

Persimmon Homes submitted the planning application for 475 homes on Chatsmore Farm, between Worthing and Ferring, in 2021.

Despite being rejected by Worthing Borough Council, an appeal was submitted against the decision, which was backed by the planning inspectorate.

The council then appealed itself in the hope of going back to its initial decision and a bench of three judges at the High Court eventually ruled in favour of the council in June 2023.

A new planning inquiry with a new planning inspector was then confirmed for 2024, which is currently under way.

Residents have voiced their objections to the plans, with a petition gaining almost 2,000 signatures.

One man from Ferring was “furious” when the final two sessions of the public inquiry were moved online.