Developer PlanArch has assured people the scheme would not lead to more congestion.

"I just want to know how they can put more housing in when they haven't built a bypass.

"It's going to make Church Lane more and more congested," said Ray Hatton, 72, of Malthouse Close, Sompting.

"It's used as a rat run already."

Cars crash

Valerie Goyder, 57, of Western Road, Sompting, said: "It's cheap housing at expensive prices, thought out by people who obviously don't know the area."

Two years ago, Lyn Collin was in her house at Edwards Terrace, West Street, when a car crashed through her garden wall into the front door.

"I got in the front door and walked to the back, then I heard an almighty crash," said Lyn.

"I went to the front door and there was this car. If I'd got home two minutes later, I dread to think what would have happened."

Traffic monitor

After several incidents of damage being caused to properties and vehicles in West Street, residents asked West Sussex County Council to monitor the amount of traffic going through the street.

After three days monitors found that, in one hour, up to 700 cars were driven along the road at speeds of up to 70mph.

Residents are also concerned that the new planning proposal is just the start of development in the area.

The Save Our Sompting group fought against the Adur core strategy and development plans last year.

Quality of life

The plans to develop green belt areas in and around Sompting were rejected by a government housing inspector, partly on the grounds that they would destroy the quality of the rural community.

"We just want to know how these proposals fit in with that," said Nigel Howard, chairman of the Save Our Sompting group.

"We don't want to lose our quality of life by bringing in a load of cars without the infrastructure to support it. This is a small community.

"It's not a rat run.

Just the beginning

"The argument is it's only 37 houses, but it's only the start.

"We would like to rally the community around opposing the plans so that we can maintain some quality of life for our children."

The proposed development will contain 37 residential units, with a 20 per cent affordable housing quota.

Big response

"We weren't expecting to get such a big response.

"We've had more comments on highways matters than on the actual housing," said John Lavender, director of PlanArch Design.

"We are actually trying to come up with ways to make the village unattractive as a rat run.

"We would welcome any feedback from people that suggests highways improvements."

Mr Lavender and his business partner Eileen Wilson aim to submit the development for planning permission within the next four weeks.

Feedback

Although the initial consultation display is over, copies of the plans are still available to view at the Marquis of Granby pub, in West Street, along with feedback forms, which will be sent to the developers.


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