PLANS are in place to set up a residents’ association in Southwick to shape the future of the village and tackle issues facing it.

John Eaton, chairman of Save Our Southwick (SOS), the group fighting the Redrow application for 100 homes, wants a more permanent group to operate in the village.

He said: “Save our Southwick is the nearest thing we have to a residents’ association but it’s only a temporary group to see the Redrow application through.

"Irrespective of the Redrow verdict, we feel the village needs something permanent; something with an executive committee and sub-committees to deal with issues generated by the Redrow proposal and future ones.

“We recently had a meeting to judge interest which attracted around 60 people and we’re now in the process of organising another meeting to elect members of the committee.

“The long-term plan of the association is to form a neighbourhood plan which will help us fend off future developments.

“Other villages with strong residents’ associations aren’t being bombarded with developments – we don’t want to be either.”

Mr Eaton added that he wants to see more residents submit objection letters to the Redrow application before the deadline of February 28. Search for 16/12279/OUT on Wiltshire Council’s website.

If you would like to find out more, contact Mr Eaton on 07818 870098.