Completed homes on a new housing estate are to remain unsold until new traffic lights are put in at a nearby junction, councillors have ruled.
Developer Crest Nicholson wanted permission to vary a planning condition which states homes in the development west of Station Road in Hailsham cannot be occupied until changes are made to the junction between Station Road and South Road.
They argued it makes more sense to make the changes at the same time as improvements to nearby Sturton Place, which are happening as part of another housing development by a different company.
But councillors said the road was already congested, so residents would prefer to have the changes to South Road made first, and Sturton Road later.
The decision was made at a meeting of Wealden District Council’s Planning Committee South yesterday.
Crest Nicholson Operations Limited wanted to be able to sell up to 50 of the new estate’s 200 homes.
Its planning agent William Omoma said: “The proposed variation would save highways works having to be undertaken on two separate occasions on the same junction. This will benefit all road users through achieving a reduction in delays by undertaking the works all at once.
“Moreover it is noted that the highways authority supports the variation, confirming that amending the conditions to allow the occupation of 50 dwellings prior to completion of the junction improvements would not have a detrimental impact on the operational capacity of the junction.”
But committee members argued the current level of congestion on the road was already unacceptable without the additional traffic.
They were also sceptical about the benefits of the ‘co-ordinated’ works, with several arguing that the “certainty” of the improvements in the short term was more desirable than avoiding two rounds of road works.
David White (Ind) said: “The fact of the matter is the inspector heard the evidence at the time … and imposed that condition at the time. I don’t think it is for us to go behind what the inspector decided and frankly I do not see the argument for delaying putting in that junction now.
“If we can’t do it with Sturton Place and there has to be disruption at a later date because the road is widened to accommodate the development, I think I would live with that frankly.”
A similar view was shared by Cllr Paul Coleshill (Green), who said the alternative improvements plan could be a case of “the best becoming enemy of the good”.
In light of these concerns, committee members voted unanimously to reject the variation.
Concerns around highways were a key component of the committee’s initial decision to refuse outline planning permission in 2022, against officer advice.
Councillors at the time had concerns around the cumulative impact of additional housing on Station Road when the scheme was combined with other previously-approved developments.
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.
