Final approval has been granted to build 36 new flats – despite vocal opposition from residents.
Brighton and Hove councillors voted unanimously to approve the application for 36 flats in two six-storey blocks in Swanborough Drive, Whitehawk on Wednesday, February 4.
The plans have now been granted final approval after a section 106 agreement was reached between the council and the developers.
A Section 106 agreement is a legally binding contract between a developer and a local planning authority, requiring the developer to mitigate the impact of their development on the local area.
The S106 agreement reached for the 36 flats in Whitehawk requires a financial contribution of £7,892.50 to be made.
The site as it currently appears (Image: Google)
The land is council owned, and the plans were submitted by Brighton and Hove City Council. The plot was formerly a wildlife site and a children’s playground.
All the homes will be available for “affordable” rent. A community space will also be incorporated into the development, following feedback from residents and stakeholders.
This area is designed to be flexible and can be used for various purposes, such as a café, pop-up events, community group meetings and outreach health and wellbeing events.
The public realm in front of the development will be enhanced with street lighting, seating, a bus shelter, trees and the potential for a community café to make it more comfortable for residents and visitors.
Neighbours submitted 13 objections and a petition with 37 signatures, raising concerns about the impact on the orchard and wildlife meadow and the wider infrastructure.
The 36 flats will be spread over two new blocks (Image: Mackellar Schwerdt Architects)
One objector wrote: “For well over a year the residents have been opposing the building of 36 flats on an area which was previously a natural conservation area. A nature reserve, yet now when it suits, it’s ok to build on?
“Not only that, this area is massively over populated as it stands, the roads, parking and infrastructure cannot cope with the hundreds of people who already live here.
“Why are we even entertaining the possibility of building another 36 flats in an area which has constant antisocial behaviour and can’t cope with the amount of residents as it is?
“There’s constant issues and arguing about parking. The bins are overflowing every week.”
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However, Labour councillor Gill Williams, the council’s cabinet member for housing, said the project was the latest phase of the council’s “new homes for neighbourhoods” programme.
Cllr Williams, who represents Whitehawk and Marina ward, said: “This is a council-owned site and this will be built by the council for the benefit of local people. This is precisely what councils ought to be doing.
“I am very proud to be in support of this particular project.”
The application can be viewed using the reference BH2025/00532.