4 days Ago
Plans to make a bus depot permanent at a college car park have sparked anger among neighbours. Compass Travel wants to continue using Northbrook College, in Littlehampton Road, Worthing, as the company’s base in the town. If approved, proposals would also see the creation of a replacement modular building along the southern boundary for drivers booking-in.
The plans also include a daytime site for supervisors, toilet and welfare facilities, and a bus washing facility. But objections have poured in with residents raising concerns about noise, pollution and the effect on traffic. Many say the college car park is an inappropriate place for the depot.
Read more: New bus operator to take over Brighton routes next week: all you need to know Steven Dixon, of Robin Road, Worthing, said: “I am writing to formally object to the permanent application for the bus company to operate from the college car park that backs onto our residential area. "This operation has already had a significant negative impact on the local community and environment, and we strongly oppose its continuation.” Rebecca Craig, of Nightingale Avenue, Worthing, said the plans would “make it impossible” to open windows in the summer and that residents of the Yeoman estate will be subjected to “so much dirt and noise if this continues”.
In a planning statement, it was explained that Compass Travel previously had a depot facility in Faraday Close, Durrington, which it occupied for ten years before the landlord, Tesco pensions fund, gave short notice for Compass to quit the site in February 2022. The business initially relocated to the former HMRC offices in Barrington Road for six months before relocating again to Northbrook. James Drage, of Red Kite Way, Worthing, said pollution from the buses come through his windows.
“Although measures have been put in place to keep the buses away from the local houses, we keep having to complain to Compass Travel of buses entering the college parking side of the car park and turning round near the houses,” he said. “The pollution from the buses is entering my child's bedroom as a result. If this is happening during the trial period, I can only worry about what will happen if they are granted permanent residency.
” Gester Garcia, of Robin Road, Worthing, said: “I am worried about the traffic along Titnore Lane which is already busy. Also, the impact of particulate matter pollution in the community specially in the neighbourhood.” Compass, in planning documents, said initially a southern vehicular access point was formed in the service road off Titnore Lane.
This gave direct access and egress to the site from the southern end. But there is now no longer any need for buses to pass at the rear of the residential properties in the north east corner of the car park. The company also said a 2m-high acoustic fence had been put up through the middle of the carpark to “cut down on any potential noise of vehicle movement too”.
It added that there is no longer a requirement for main administration staff offices or a workshop at Northbrook College and neither will there be so in plans going forward. Compass said all maintenance is now carried out at its depot in Lewes. Read more: Listed hotel set to turn each floor into huge suites “In terms of moving forward very little would change operationally,” Compass wrote.
“The bus movements in terms of coming and goings would remain the same. If permanent consent were to be granted Compass would intend to invest further in the site by removal of the temporary buildings and replace with a new modular building for supervisors, drivers booking-in and toilets. “Enhanced washdown facilities would be incorporated into the scheme if a permanent consent could be secured and this would include a full drainage interceptor.
"A power washer would be replaced with a walk around unit bringing improved environmental, water saving and quieter benefits, see details addendum 4. "Improved landscaping measures will be carried out.” Jon Rollings, chief operating officer for the Chichester College Group, which runs the college, wrote in support of the scheme.
Read more: College campus to close and could be sold in merger plan “The current arrangements for co-location at the site have now been in place for an extended period and we feel they have been effectively and sensitively developed and are operating effectively,” he said. “To summarise, Compass use a small area of the car park during the day when the college is operational with students on site, and a larger area overnight when the college is closed (and therefore not using the car park). "The arrangements have been developed to minimise the impact on neighbouring properties and to manage the co-location and logistics of the operation on site.
” He said he did not believe Compass’s use of the car park would adversely impact the college’s current and future plans for education on the West Durrington campus. The college is in the process of closing its campus in Broadwater with some provision to transfer to the West Durrington site. Some new buildings will be created as part of this.
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