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The Eastbourne Society - concern over homes build
THE SOCIETY shares the concerns of the campaigners opposing plans by George Wimpey (Southern) to build 140 homes on land alongside King's Drive, writes Douglas Clowes, retired architect and the society's planning adviser.
The 3.24 hectare site in question known as Pococks Field was part of Pococks Manor, long since demolished, and is owned by the Chatsworth Estate and no longer forms part of an agricultural holding. Eastbourne Borough Council has designated this site for some years for housing development in their overall plan for 'Eastbourne Park' and have, in their wisdom, set the maximum density of 140 homes on the site.
Not unsurprisingly, George Wimpey have followed these guidelines to the letter. This was refused on July 15, 2008 for the following reasons: 1, Impact to traffic along Kings Drive and to the surrounding infrastructure. 2, Access to and from the site. 3, Design and siting of the homes. 4, Environmental impact.
Items 3 and 4 can be addressed by further discussions and revisions to the proposals which leaves items 1 and 2, on which most of the opposition has to be centred. In fact, these can only be resolved by carrying out major roadworks to reduce the impact on existing already overstretched traffic conditions. We would all like to hear that the planning inspector refuses the appeal. EBC would then have to rethink their strategy bearing in mind that one of their key strategy issues was to pledge to retain the Green Belt. On the other hand, the inspector could grant the appeal with the condition that no development would take place until suitable roadworks were in place. Inevitably this would eventually lead to the development being completed. The matter is very much in the hands of this inspector who is duty bound to view the matter in planning terms only. Nevertheless, EBC does have a duty to identify suitable sites across the borough to meet future housing needs and is under pressure from central government to meet housing quotas. EBC is paid a 'Housing and Planning Delivery Grant' the more houses are squeezed into a borough.
Equally East Sussex County Council (who control our roads) follow a green traffic policy to minimise unnecessary car travel and to reduce the adverse impact to such movement by improving public transport, pedestrian and cycling provision. Planning inspectors are sensible professional people and take all that we have mentioned about into account in arriving at their decision, hopefully the right one for this already over trafficked site.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 22 C
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 22 C
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