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Major Hailsham housing plan lodged with council
A PLANNING application to build more than 200 new homes next to the town's leisure centre has been lodged with Wealden District Council.
Hillreed Developments Ltd, based in Maidstone, Kent, is hoping to build 170 houses with 55 extra care affordable apartments.
The developers are also hoping to build an education facility, around 4,000 square metres of office space, a community health centre and a library. The plans also include a open space with associated highways and landscaping.
Hillreed hopes to build this major development on land east of Battle Road, behind the Wealden District Council offices and Freedom Leisure Centre. The large site is agricultural land that is currently vacant and sometimes used for grazing animals.
Hillreed purchased the land back in 2001 and submitted a planning application for 250 new homes in 2007. This was withdrawn due to the feedback from those consulted on the plans.
Hillreed says it has now undertaken 'more detailed discussions' with Southern Water, the Environment Agency, the local Primary Care Trust, East Sussex County Council and the Learning Skills Council.
The developers say their proposal will be good news for Hailsham.
In a statement to Wealden District Council Hillreed says, "It is recognised that Hailsham has failed to attract investment in the past and needs to be regenerated.
"The provision of high quality designed housing and a first phase of an expanded town centre capable of absorbing additional growth in the future will be highly visible and a prominent symbol that the status of the town is improving further. This will lead to an upward spiral of confidence, stimulating further investment and helping to regenerate the town."
Hillreed's statement also says the office space will provide extra jobs and the adult courses offered at the educational facility will provide Hailsham with a more skilled workforce.
However, Hailsham Town Councillors have raised some concerns about the proposed development and the council has organised a special meeting of its planning committee at the town council offices in Market Street at 7pm tomorrow (February 4). All town councillors are invited to attend to discuss the application.
Town councillor Paul Holbrook said the main concerns were related to traffic and sewerage issues.
Many Hailsham residents are also expected to attend the meeting.
The plans are currently under consultation and full details can been seen at www.wealden.gov.uk/planning_and_building_control.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Friday 25 May 2012
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