Beach front retirement flats plan gets green light

Revised plans have reduced the number of flats in the development

Plans for a retirement flats complex on Eastbourne seafront which will provide 126 apartments for older people have been approved.

Eastbourne Borough Council had considered two previous versions of the scheme on land to the east of Martinique Way, at Sovereign Harbour.

Decisions were previously deferred following concerns over the size and impact of the development on the surrounding area. Developer Untold Living revised its plans and the scheme was approved at a planning meeting on Tuesday.

Frances Lawrence, chairwoman of the Sovereign Harbour Residents Association, said: “Looking at the bigger picture, we see yet another retirement complex being proposed that simply doesn’t serve the needs of the town."

As well as accommodation, the plans include provision of a restaurant/bar, community meeting and activity space, landscaping and parking for 75 vehicles.

Objectors said they remained concerned about the scale of the complex.

Cllr Kshama Shore argued the overall scheme should have no more than 85 apartments.

Local transport

Ms Lawrence told the meeting: "The purchase costs and extremely high service and care package costs will effectively lock out local retirees.”

Committee members felt the Untold Living revisions were acceptable and opted to grant planning permission.

The decision came with the condition officers carried out further consultation on landscape and ecology.

Planning permission was also made contingent on the developer signing a legal agreement with the council, covering a deal on local labour and financial contributions towards local transport.

The legal agreement also limits occupancy of the apartments to the over-55s and prevents the apartments being used as second homes.