Retirement flats to go back to planning committee

Revised plans have reduced the number of flats in the development

Plans for a retirement living complex in Eastbourne have been recommended for approval after the designs were revised.

Eastbourne Borough Council's planning committee will consider the application to build apartments on land to the east of Martinique Way in Sovereign Harbour on Tuesday.

Alternative versions of the scheme were considered on two previous occasions, but councillors deferred their decision both times because of concerns about its size and impact.

Developers Untold Living have now submitted revised plans, which reduce the number of flats from 128 to 126. The initial plans had been for 137 apartments.

Other changes include an increase in off-street parking spaces from 70 to 75.

In a report, a council planning spokesman said: “The application site is a brownfield site in a highly sustainable location and has extant planning permission for residential development.

“The proposed use does make a significant contribution to housing need in terms of boosting the supply of housing."

The spokesman said: “There are not considered to be any adverse impacts of the development on the character of the area, residential amenities or the parking and access, and it is not considered that the relationship of the proposed development to the Martello Tower would have a significant impact to warrant refusal."

Sovereign Harbour Residents’ Association described the revisions as “minor amendments” which do not address the group’s main concerns.

The association objected to previous versions of the proposed development, arguing the complex would be an overdevelopment of the site, which would harm the character of the area and put too much pressure on infrastructure.