- Chair of the residents’ association explains how the controversial plan for a seven-storey block could be amended
- Details of online meeting with developer
- Residents seek compromises to retirement apartments scheme
Sheltering on the east side of Martello Tower 66 from a howling southwesterly, Frances Lawrence and Caroline Lynam are philosophical about the fenced-off area nearby.
It’s the site of a proposed seven-storey development of around 130 retirement apartments overlooking the sea on the western edge of Sovereign Harbour.
The planning application by developer Untold Living, which closes for comments on Saturday, has attracted nearly 300 objections.
But Frances, chair of the Sovereign Harbour Residents’ Association (SHRA), has met the developer online and is keen to talk about compromises on the design rather than outright objection.
She and Caroline, the membership secretary, know there will be a development here but say it is a question of the height and scope of what is built that is at the heart of the issue.
An online meeting hosted by Eastbourne Conservative MP Caroline Ansell earlier this week involved Frances, Untold Living chief executive Russell Jewell and Nigel Goodyear, Conservative councillor for Sovereign ward in the harbour.
The main point of contention is that planning permission was granted in 2016 for 67 apartments in a five-storey block and 12 houses. The houses have been built at White Point – but the new application for 137 flats is more than double the original number.
Frances, who lives at Hamilton Quay across the harbour, said of the meeting: “It was very amicable. I told him [Mr Jewell] that while we appreciate something will be built there, what you’re proposing, given the previous planning permission, is a bit over the top. You are going to block light to the people behind because you want to go to seven storeys.
“He didn’t argue that point with me at all. To get that number of apartments there, they are planning a different sort of building from what was planned originally.
“I also told him that what we wouldn’t want to see are people who just come for the summer, because what we need here is a community.”
She said Mr Jewell indicated that would not be an issue because the residents would be older people and it was likely to be their permanent home.
Frances added: “I think they were very open to discussion. I told them we had to work together because, at the end of the day, it was the local residents who mattered.
“They could have dug their heels in but didn’t. We got a chance to see where they were coming from, what they wanted to do and to clarify a few points.”
She said that people who bought properties in Martinique Way, next to the site, knew there would be a development between them and the sea at some point – it is a question of how high it is.
Eastbourne Borough Council leader Stephen Holt has objected to the scheme, on the basis it would be four metres higher than neighbouring block, was not in keeping with its surroundings and the historic Martello Tower, and that traffic flow would be inappropriate.
Liberal Democrat Coun Holt is not a ward councillor at Sovereign Harbour and is not a member of the planning committee so was able to register his objections as a citizen.
A close neighbour to the site, who did not wish to be named, sees some positives in the scheme. They told the Eastbourne Reporter: “If not this, then what? Any build will involve disturbance, obstruction of views that have been taken for granted, and disruption of plants and wildlife.
“The design incorporates many ecological elements including a green roof, water harvesting, etc. They will be offering access to the facilities to non-residents and will not affect access to the beach or Martello 66.
“If it’s not a retirement village, we could find ourselves with much noisier and disruptive neighbours. It’s a concept Eastbourne could use more widely.”
Caroline, who lives in Midway Quay, pointed out that a particular concern for nearby residents was parking because there did not seem to be enough spaces planned for the number of apartments.
She said: “What residents are very worried about is the fact that Martinique Way is already packed with cars now.”
For Frances and Caroline, the best outcome would be the original plan of five storeys, better parking facilities, and a coastal path, benches and children’s play area near the Martello Tower incorporated into landscaping.
Caroline added: “We are very pragmatic about the situation because we know it is a development site.”
Caroline Ansell, Eastbourne Borough Council and Untold Living have been approached for comments.
The deadline to register comments here for planning application number 230847 is Saturday, 10 February.
Comments are welcome. They are pre-moderated and may be edited for clarity and to avoid potential libel
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