JPK Project’s appeal heard by inspector
The JPK Project’s planning appeal was heard on Wednesday (March 13).
Eastbourne Borough Council gave the red light to the JPK’s plans to build a residential centre for people with learning difficulties on the old Edgmond Church site in Church Street, Old Town.
The JPK Project appealed against the decision and now a planning inspector will be making a final ruling over the next few weeks.
Jill Parker, founder of the JPK Project, has a daughter with learning difficulties and is hoping the inspector will overturn Eastbourne Borough Council’s decision made in October last year.
Eastbourne Borough Council planners said they were rejecting the plans with a ‘heavy heart’ because they felt the road was too busy and could be dangerous with visitors and deliveries being made at the residential centre.
At the meeting, Cllr Gordon Jenkins, who sits on the planning committee, said, “I have every support for what they are trying to do.
“It is something that is necessary and so needed, and I fully support it but I think the site itself is in the wrong location.
“It is such a shame.”
Cllr Jenkins said his main concern was the parking and said it was an ‘absolute tragedy’ that he felt unable to vote to approve the plans.
Local residents, many living in Brightland Road, which backs on to the site, objected to the plans and raised concerns about parking.
They have also raised those objections within the appeals process.
Jill has been fundraising for a centre for many years and is hoping the planning inspector will allow it to be built on Church Street.
The home would have 16 en-suite studio apartments, eight flatlets, communal rooms, tea rooms and a charity shop.
Her aim is to provide a centre where people can live, work and enjoy recreational facilities.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Friday 24 May 2013
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