Campaign mounts against gasworks site development

A developer wants to build nearly 500 homes on the old gasworks site in Brighton

Campaigners opposed to a housing development on the site of a former gasworks in East Sussex will hold a demonstration against the plans.

The development of almost 500 properties in Brighton will be considered by the city council at a special meeting on 22 May.

More than 1,700 objections have been sent to the council, citing concerns about toxins being released during building.

A protest will be held on Thursday in Roedean Road, opposite the site, starting at 18:00 BST.

The plans sparked the creation of the Action on Gasworks Housing Safety, Affordability and Transparency (Aghast) campaign group.

Aghast member Stephen White said: “When you dig this whole contamination up it goes out into the air, gases escape.

“We know from all the experiences from other people of similar gasworks sites that have been developed there have been major problems with their health, streaming eyes and noses, breathing difficulties, nausea, vomiting even.

“This is going to go on for 10 years.”

Campaigner Stephen White is concerned over toxins that could be released during building work

Developer St William said it believed using brownfield sites was the most sustainable way to meet housing needs.

It has proposed blocks up to 12 storeys high, with 495 homes, including 14 townhouses.

A government grant from Homes England would ensure 40% of the homes would be classed as affordable, with 115 for rent and the remaining 111 in shared ownership.

A special council meeting will be held on 22 May to decide whether to give planning permission

Objections have also come from Brighton and Hove Heritage Commission, Regency Squares Community, Kemp Town Society, the Brighton Society and the Kingscliff Society.

St William said: “We believe bringing well-connected brownfield sites back into use is the most sustainable way to meet housing needs and reduces pressure to build out into the countryside.”

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