Plans to build flats on the site of Eastbourne’s former magistrates court are set to go in front of councillors.
On Tuesday (November 12), Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning committee is due to consider proposals to erect a four-storey building containing 30 apartments on the now vacant site in Old Orchard Road.
The proposals, which come from the council itself, are being recommended for approval by planning officers.
A report to the committee said: “The proposal would result in development of a brownfield site and the creation of good quality residential accommodation in a sustainable location close to transport links and the amenities of Eastbourne Town Centre.”
The report also notes how the scheme differs from the council’s previous (and withdrawn) proposals to redevelop the site. These previous proposals were for a larger building, which would have been four to five-storeys tall and contained an additional five apartments.
While amended, the updated scheme has seen objections by neighbours. These objections include concerns around parking, with several neighbours calling on the council to ensure the development has a “car free” stipulation for future residents.
The proposed building would have only two parking spaces for residents, both designated for residents of “accessible units” intended for “mobility impaired” residents.
The council argues this is an appropriate amount of parking as the proposed building would be in a highly sustainable area with good public transport links. The building would also have 70 cycle parking spaces on site.
Objectors have also raised concerns about overlooking and overshadowing. For its part, the council says the development would result “insubstantial loss of light to some neighbouring windows, but not to a degree to warrant a refusal.”
Council meeting papers say 12 of the apartments would be guaranteed to be “affordable” properties, as a result of conditions which would be expected to be attached to planning permission.
In its application, however, the council says it intends for all 30 apartments to be affordable, but that this element of the scheme would be voluntary and rely on funding from both the Homes and Communities Agency and the council itself.
The application also says the apartments would each be provided with private outdoor amenity space in the form of balconies, along with landscaped communal gardens at the rear of the building.
For further information see application reference 240418 on Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning website.
