Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning panel has given the green light to a social housing project.
The committee voted on March 18 to support plans for seven one-bedroom apartments through the conversion and expansion of a former supported living centre situated at 24a Victoria Road in Eastbourne.
Southdown Housing Association Ltd submitted the scheme, intended to provide long-term general needs social housing.
Elected members were split on whether to support the plans, with panel members flagging worries about effects on the neighbourhood during building work and after occupation.
Conservative member Jane Lamb stated concerns that the development would essentially function as semi-supported housing for potentially vulnerable individuals. She suggested an on-site manager would be necessary at all times. Lamb noted that similar schemes in Meads areas that experienced difficulties had often been improved by having a manager on hand to handle issues.
Lamb requested the panel postpone the application to secure this arrangement and obtain clarity on how the building would operate.
Officials indicated a deferral could seek information about building management, though the applicant would be expected to supply a management plan as part of the recommended conditions.
Lamb urged the committee to require a more robust management plan.
She highlighted that the characteristics of future occupants mattered significantly for their own wellbeing and for the safety and comfort of existing residents. Lamb pointed to access arrangements, noting that vehicles would need to travel along the pavement to reach the site, which posed risks for children, elderly residents, and others. She called for stronger management provisions with occupancy criteria and solutions for managing the constrained access.
Legal adviser Helen Monaghan explained that determining occupancy fell outside planning powers. The committee could determine the property’s use, which would be social housing, but tenant selection remained Southdown’s responsibility. The type of resident or their level of vulnerability could not be dictated, as this did not constitute a material planning consideration.
Liberal Democrat member Beverly Sayers-Cooper mentioned her experience working alongside Southdown Housing in both her councillor and community work roles, expressing confidence in their property management abilities.
Local residents had objected to the design, contending the proposed extension represented overdevelopment and would reduce privacy for some.
The scheme involves external alterations to modernise the property and boost energy efficiency. The work will include applying a new off-white rendered coating and adjusting window layouts. All apartments will feature individual air source heat pumps.
The panel voted to approve the scheme as recommended by officers.
The decision followed an evenly split vote with three members supporting and three opposing. Panel chair Hugh Parker exercised his casting vote to secure approval.
Further details are available under application reference 260046 on the Eastbourne Borough Council planning portal.