Arun District Council has approved planning for the first substantial phases of the Ford Airfield redevelopment in West Sussex. The project, a collaborative powerhouse between Vistry Group and prominent housing provider Abri, is set to transform the former airfield into a sustainable, multi-generational neighbourhood. The latest approval covers three specific Reserved Matters (RM) applications, green-lighting the delivery of 698 high-quality homes. This milestone is a critical component of a broader masterplan designed to bring 1,500 new dwellings to the region, addressing the acute need for diverse housing tenures in the South East.
The development is meticulously partitioned to ensure that residential growth is matched by robust civic infrastructure. The three approved applications detail a comprehensive vision for the site:
1. RM1 (North): The Residential Anchor
The northern sector will feature 341 mixed-tenure homes. To ensure a balanced community, 30% of these units (102 homes) are designated as affordable housing. This allocation includes a mix of social rent, shared ownership, and “First Homes” to assist local buyers in entering the property market.
2. RM4 (South): Community and Recreation
The southern phase focuses on blending living space with leisure, delivering 357 homes. Similar to the northern phase, 107 of these units will be affordable. Crucially, this section includes over 4 hectares of public open space, featuring a neighbourhood park and multiple play areas (LEAP and LAP) to encourage outdoor activity and community cohesion.
3. The Infrastructure Framework (IRM)
Infrastructure is the backbone of the Ford Airfield vision. The council has approved a primary spine road linking Ford Road to Yapton Road, alongside:
- Sustainable Transport: Four new bus stops and extensive pedestrian and cycleway networks.
- Environmental Stewardship: Over 7 hectares of green space and advanced Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) to manage flood risks.
- Ecological Enhancements: Measures to protect and boost local biodiversity within the airfield’s footprint.
The synergy between Vistry and Abri is central to the project’s success. Of the total 1,500 homes planned for the masterplan, 960 will be delivered through a Joint Venture (JV) between the two organisations. This partnership leverages Vistry’s construction expertise and Abri’s long-term management capabilities to ensure the community remains viable for decades.
Stephen Teagle, Chief Executive of Countryside Partnerships (part of Vistry), emphasized the project’s scale:
“This is a huge milestone for Vistry’s blueprint in Ford. We aren’t just building houses; we are transforming a historic site into a thriving community with the infrastructure required for sustained, long-term growth.”
Gary Orr, Group Chief Executive of Abri, noted that this project aligns perfectly with the provider’s upcoming 2026–2031 corporate strategy, which focuses on bold investments in high-quality, affordable living.
What sets the Ford Airfield project apart from standard large-scale developments is its grassroots origin. The vision was born over ten years ago, led by the Ford Parish Council and the Ford Community Land Trust (CLT).
By embedding the development within the Ford Neighbourhood Plan, residents have maintained a say in how their environment evolves. The CLT has secured a “locally driven allocation policy,” ensuring that affordable homes are prioritised for people with genuine ties to the area. Furthermore, ground rents from the site will be reinvested into a community hub, ensuring the neighbourhood’s long-term financial and social sustainability.
A representative from the Ford Parish Council remarked that the approval is a “lasting testament to the vision and commitment of the late Trevor Ford,” a local figure who championed the community’s right to shape its own future.The local economy is expected to receive a significant boost as the project moves into the construction phase.
- Q2 2026: On-site work is scheduled to commence across all three approved applications.
- 2027: Completion of primary infrastructure, including the spine road and bus links.
- 2029: Full completion of the first 698 housing units.
Beyond housing, the wider masterplan includes a new primary school, a care home, and a local center, which will create hundreds of jobs in education, healthcare, and retail.
The Ford Airfield development represents a shift in how the UK approaches large-scale housing. By prioritizing “infrastructure-first” planning and maintaining a 30% affordable housing threshold, Vistry and Abri are setting a benchmark for the industry. As West Sussex continues to grow, this project provides a clear roadmap for how developers, local councils, and community trusts can work in harmony to solve the national housing crisis.
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