A developer is asking for permission to allow people to move into its new estate before making improvements to the roads.
Crest Nicholson has completed part of the 200-home estate to the west of Station Road in Hailsham, which was first developed by Gleeson Strategic Land Limited and Rydon Homes Limited.
When a planning inspector overruled Wealden District Council’s “unreasonable” refusal of the scheme in 2022, a condition was put in place preventing any part of the site becoming occupied until highway improvements take place in South Road and Station Road.
These include new traffic lights, and a new right hand turn pocket from South Road into Station Road.
Now, Crest Nicholson has applied to waive the condition so that up to 50 homes can be occupied straight away.
In a report to the committee, a Wealden planning spokesman said: “The application seeks to vary the occupancy trigger … so that up to 50 dwellings can be occupied before the highway improvements to South Road and Station Road are completed.
“This has been agreed in principle with ESCC Highways who have confirmed they have no objections to this in their consultation response.
“The proposed changes would not result in harm to the highway network and would continue to ensure the development provides safe and suitable access and infrastructure, complying with both local and national policies.”
The original plans were refused by councillors – against officer advice – partly because of the possible impact on more homes on Station Road.
The council ultimately decided not to defend its refusal during the subsequent appeal process, after it was unable to find a highways consultant willing to defend the committee’s argument.
The planning inspector in that case both granted outline approval and awarded full costs to the appellant, noting how the council had acted unreasonably in its decision-making.
The inspector did also note, however, that the highway improvements to the junction of South Road and Station Road would be necessary to make the development acceptable.
For further information on the scheme see application reference WD/2024/2630/MFA on the Wealden District Council website.
