By Rebecca Maer
A controversial retirement scheme planned for Sovereign Harbour was last night deferred for the second time as councillors dug their heels in over the scale of the design, rejecting a recommendation to approve it.
The original plan for three blocks at Martinique Way at the edge of a shingle beach has already been rejected once by councillors for being too large at seven storeys and 137 flats.
The plan came back to Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning committee last night with six floors at the highest point, 128 flats, softer contours and a reduced bulk.
What was the vote outcome?
But after a lengthy discussion, five of six committee members voted to defer the scheme yet again for the developers to return with a smaller scale design. One member abstained.
Officers had recommended approval subject to conditions including securing developer contributions on items including transport, a travel plan, car club and improving public spaces and walkways.
Councillors praised the architects for improving the scheme to reflect the maritime environment but concerns remained about its size and design.
There were also worries about congestion on nearby streets with parking, and limited public transport: only one bus an hour serves the area. Some 70 parking spaces are in the plan.
What was the officers’ advice?
Senior planning officers warned councillors they could not defer on the basis of insufficient parking because the highways authority (East Sussex County Council) had approved that aspect.
Planners also cautioned that the developer, Untold Living, could go to appeal if it did not agree to further changes because the councillors were then effectively refusing permission.
How did residents react?
However, the Sovereign Harbour Residents’ Association (SHRA) said it was keen to liaise with the developer to secure an acceptable outcome on the site, which has had planning consent for many years.
SHRA chair Frances Lawrence, speaking on the steps of the Town Hall after the meeting, told the Eastbourne Reporter: “We got the best outcome we could have wished for.
“If the developers will talk to us, they’ve got half a chance of winning. We’re not a million miles away from what would be acceptable and it would be nice if the planners had said: ‘This is what’s acceptable.’ But they don’t give them any guidelines at all.
“Understandably, Untold Living are saying they need viability and are minded to go straight to appeal.
“I have said to them: ‘Let’s see what we can come up’. If they talk to the planners and we do to find out exactly what they would accept, it will be a successful outcome for both of us.
“The councillors are not speaking the same language as the head of planning. He’s saying: ‘Accept it’ and they were saying ‘No’.
“I have read about 800 pages of documentation over this past week and none of what was proposed tonight fell within the bounds of that.”
SHRA has said it would like to see a maximum of five storeys in the tallest of the three blocks, which was the size put forward by a developer in 2016 for 67 large apartments.
Ms Lawrence earlier told the meeting that the reduction of nine flats from the original design was just a token number and that the main block was still taller than surrounding properties.
What was the developer’s view?
Untold Living chief executive Russell Jewell told last night’s meeting that the company had made meaningful alterations to the height and design of the development, which will be for over 55s.
“We believe this scheme demonstrates high quality design and place-making in this important beachfront location,” he said.
“We do understand the concerns of the local community. However, we acquired this site because the principle of it being developed is already established.”
Mr Jewell said that there was already consent for a large, luxury development but without restrictions on use such as second homes and holiday lets, which was a concern for residents.
Kshama Shore, Conservative ward councillor for the area, addressed the meeting as a public speaker. She said Eastbourne needed affordable housing and had “more than enough” care homes: 60 within a three-mile radius of the town centre.
Coun Shore said that, contrary to what Untold Living suggested, most elderly people in the flats would come from outside the area to live by the sea so few family homes would be vacated as a result.
During the debate, Coun Jane Lamb (Cons, Meads), was concerned about the lack of provision at local doctors’ surgeries, which were already under pressure and the overall size of the development.
“It is the size and monolithic quality of the blocks in this beautiful site which I am very concerned about. Is it good enough? Can it be better?” she asked.
But she was aware the appeal route could be costly to the council and did not want to refuse the application, asking for further changes that people were happier with.
Size and congestion key objections
Committee chair Coun Hugh Parker (Lib Dem, St Anthony’s) said the design had been “vastly improved” and looked better from the harbour and the sea.
“My problem is that it will generate activity and, unless it is served by an appropriate bus service, that activity is going to bring cars. I have considerable doubts it will work without additional parking.”
Head planning officer Neil Collins summarised that the vote deferred the scheme to seek a reduction in the scale of the building. In the event of no revision to the plan, it would be refused.
Mr Jewell told the Eastbourne Reporter after the meeting: “I prefer not to comment in the immediate aftermath.”
:: Main image: Untold Living
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