Letter: NIMBY Nicks get in the way of addressing housing shortage

What we need is a grown up debate about the merits of new settlements versus village extensions. Instead, what we get is the NIMBY Nicks!

Nick Herbert, Nick Gibb and Nick Soames are three MPs that can always be relied upon to oppose housing whenever or wherever there is a development proposal.

No need for careful consideration of all of the options – they know best!

When brownfield land at the disused Ford Airfield was under the spotlight for development (a new settlement as an alternative to village extensions) Mr Herbert and Mr Gibb probably did more than any in the Arun district to “steer” development away from Ford Airfield and instead towards the villages of Barnham, Eastergate, Westergate and Angmering.

Both MPs were fully aware that merging the three historic villages of Barnham, Eastergate and Westergate and a smaller development at Angmering were the most likely alternatives when they campaigned against a new settlement on brownfield land at Ford Airfield.

They had an election to win at the time! There were cheap populist votes to be had!

Now it’s Mr Herbert and Mr Soames working together to oppose new settlement proposals between Henfield and Sayers Common. They won’t tolerate a new settlement.

So if not a new settlement then which of the existing communities are their intended victims?

Residents in Horsham and Mid Sussex should think very carefully before vesting their trust in these MPs.

Tony Dixon

Barons Close, Westergate