A proposal to construct a pair of detached houses in Eastbourne has been rejected by local planning authorities.

The Eastbourne Borough Council planning committee convened on Tuesday, August 11, to consider the application, which involved clearing existing garage structures situated near residences along Beverington Road to make way for the new residential development.

Council planning officers had initially supported the scheme, recommending approval.

However, local residents voiced significant objections, expressing worries about reduced sunlight exposure, traffic safety implications, and the potential impact of the buildings’ dimensions on the surrounding neighbourhood.

Ward representative David Small, a Conservative councillor, opposed the development, suggesting the architectural quality was not the primary issue but rather the inappropriate nature of the chosen location.

Fellow committee member Teri Sayers-Cooper, representing the Liberal Democrats, echoed these reservations, indicating that while the concept showed merit, the execution failed to address fundamental design and contextual concerns.

The committee ultimately decided to reject the proposal, citing concerns about the structures’ potential effects on the area’s character and the living conditions of nearby residents.

Head of development management Neil Collins explained that the refusal would centre on the buildings’ height and depth, along with the scheme’s layout and possible noise disturbances.

Officers were tasked with drafting the precise grounds for the decision.