Last ditch plea against 250-home Eastbourne development ahead of crucial decision

The proposals for land at Friday Street Farm have sparked 130 letters of objection amid concerns for flooding and the protection of the Pevensey Levels nature reserve.

Wealden planning committee is due to decide whether or not it should go ahead at Thursday’s meeting.

It comes after the plans were previously refused at a planning meeting in May.

Langney Councillor Alan Shuttleworth said, “It would be a travesty of local democracy and of the integrity of the planning system if this application were able to gain permission by waiting four months and having another go to wear down the resistance of Planning committee members.”

Objectors claim the agricultural land falls outside the area agreed for development.

They have raised concerns about overdevelopment, after permissions were already granted for 1,115 houses in the area close to Stone Cross.

Meanwhile, flood fears have been highlighted as the Pevensey and Cuckmere Water Level Management board has said the development ‘presents an unacceptable on site/off site flood risk’ in planning documents.

Councillor Shuttleworth said, “I have attended site meetings with officers from Southern Water, to draw attention to the problems faced by some local residents who were unable to use their toilets after heavy rainfall.

“The current drainage system already cannot cope with extremely heavy rain; manholes at the bottom of Mendip Avenue lift, creating hazards to people and animals.

“This area suffers from flooding and the situation is likely to get worse with climate change.”

Councillor Shuttleworth also raised concerns about pressure on the road network, and a potential ‘adverse effect’ on the surrounding environment so close to the Pevensey Levels site of scientific interest.

In a last-ditch plea to the planning committee ahead of tomorrow’s decision, he said, “Listen to the public.

“This application is a chance for Wealden councillors to protect the environment so close to an area of Special Scientific Interest, and to stop developers from building wherever they wish.”

The proposals have been put forward by Wates Developments Limited.

It plans to build 250 dwellings (35 per cent affordable) with associated car parking at the Friday Street Farm site in Stone Cross.

There would be a new access point from Pennine Way and the creation of a network of roads, footways, and cycleways throughout the site.

The developer says there would be 1.6 hectares of public open space, children’s play areas, allotments, and ‘sustainable drainage systems’ and landscape buffers.

To view the application search for the application number WD/2020/1391/MAO on the Wealden District Council planning website.

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