Decision due on Eastbourne homes at former chalk pit

On Tuesday (February 23), Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning committee is set to consider outline proposals to build 18 houses at the former Ocklynge Chalk Pit in Willingdon Road. 

The application – from landowners East Sussex College – only seeks in-principle approval to build houses on the site, with all technical details reserved for a later date.

In a report to the committee, a council planning office said: “Where a local planning authority is unable to identify a five year supply of housing land, permission for development should be granted unless there is a clear reason for refusal  or if any adverse impacts of granting permission would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.”

It adds: “Taking account of the above policy position, the proposed residential use of the site is considered to accord with the objectives of the Development Plan and is considered to be acceptable in principle.”

While recommended for approval, some nearby residents have raised concerns over the potential for ecological damage as a result of developing the site, particularly the loss of trees and impact on wildlife. 

However, at the time of publication, the council says it has not yet heard back from the County Ecologist about their views on development.

As a result, officers are recommending that any grant of planning permission be made dependent on the ecologist’s views, with the scheme to be brought back to the committee should they raise any concerns.

A planning officer said: “It should be noted that this application seeks outline permission with all matters reserved. 

“This would provide a significant degree of flexibility in the approach to any detailed scheme and potential ecological impacts. 

“A detailed scheme would be the subject of further scrutiny and could respond to the recommendations of the County Ecologist and any further studies that are required to understand the full ecological value of the site and, in turn, the required mitigation measures.”

While only seeking permission for the principle of development, the application includes some indicative designs for the sorts of properties which could be built. 

These indicative designs show the buildings – a mix of one, two and three-bedroom townhouses – backing on to the steep sides of the quarry. The designs show these buildings laid out in trio terraces of varying heights, with rooftop gardens and terraces.

This part of the proposals have seen some words of caution from planners, however, as there would be a potential for overlooking and a loss of privacy. There were also some more muted concerns around the amount of daylight the houses would get.

But as an indicative design, officers say, these concerns would not be grounds for refusal of the outline scheme as more detailed plans would come forward at a later stage.

Details of the affordable housing provision would also be a reserved matter, although officers say the development would be expected to provide seven affordable homes on-site as well as a financial contribution to works elsewhere. 

The land also already has two derelict cottages on its outskirts. The applicant said these could be retained and renovated as part of the development, bringing the total number of dwellings on the site to 20. The potential renovations do not form part of the outline application, however.

For further information on the proposals see application reference 200855 on the Eastbourne Borough Council planning website.