A controversial planning application has been submitted to demolish the former port office in Newhaven. You still have a chance to comment on this application whether you are for or against it but your comments must be submitted to Lewes District Council before the 4th September. Details as to how you can submit your comments are at the bottom of this article.
The proposals will involve the demolition of the former port office (which is a part single and part double storey property) replacing it with 126 dwellings. These will be split between:-
- An 18 storey tower block
- 3 x 5 storey blocks of flats
- A 4 storey block of flats
- A 3 storey block of flats
There will be no affordable housing provided in this development as the planning application states ‘it is not financially viable’. However there are smaller flats which the planning officer states ‘there is an identified need for’. If this development goes ahead the tower block will be a dominant feature of the landscape visible from many locations including Seaford.
Originally the 18 storey tower block was planned as a 14 storey building but the applicant increased the height of the building following pre-application advice from the Council.
Design South East Panel (when responding to the pre-application submission for a 14 storey tower) said ‘increased height of the tallest building would be an opportunity for a distinctive, high quality and elegant tower which could act as a marker for Newhaven and for international visitors…’
The South Downs National Park states ‘the development has clear potential to impact on the setting of the National Park given its height’.
Historic England is concerned as ‘the positioning of a tall building in this location, in particular when taken cumulatively with other consented development in the Marina area, has the potential to impact on the significance of Newhaven Fort through development within its setting’.
Newhaven Port and Properties Ltd say ‘Newhaven Port will be directly impacted by these proposals as access to the Port lies in close proximity to the development site’.
Full details on the planning application can be found here. You will need to search on application number LW/23/0304
A summary of the planning application is on the planning committee agenda and can be found here.
Commenting on a planning application
Lewes District Council’s webpage states ‘All comments must be received in writing, either by letter, email or using the online comment facility. We cannot accept or consider verbal comments. The law requires that all comments received in relation to planning applications must be made available for public inspection. This means that any comments you submit will be published and available to view online and will include your name and address. We cannot treat comments as confidential. Similarly, we cannot consider anonymous comments on an application.’
You can submit your comments either to support or object to the development using the online planning portal here. You will need to search for planning application reference LW/23/0304. Alternatively Lewes DC states you can email your support or objection. I am unable to find an email address so suggest you ring the Customer First team on 01273 471600 who should be able to advise. When commenting ensure you quote the planning application reference which is LW/23/0304.
In addition to the above you may want to contact your ward councillor to make your views known. The councillors who sit on the Lewes District Council Planning committee and will decide the outcome of this application have access to the planning portal so will be able to see the comments that have been uploaded. However you may wish to contact them personally if you feel very strongly either for or against this proposal. Details of the councillors on the Planning Committee can be found here.
At time of writing this article there were 199 objections and 15 comments in support of the development.
Celebrating Seaford 