Planned scheme for retirement flats complex in Eastbourne 'no longer viable'
The planned scheme for a retirement flats complex in Sovereign Harbour has been withdrawn by developers.
An email, seen by The Herald, was sent by Untold Living to local residents informing them of the decision.
Eastbourne Borough Council approved the plans to build 126 “apartments for older people” on land to the east of Martinique Way in Sovereign Harbour in September 2024.
In the email, CEO of Untold Living Scott Orr confirmed the Gateway 2 application for the scheme had been withdrawn.
A Gateway 2 application must be approved before building work can take place.
Mr Orr confirmed the developers’ intention remained to move forward with the scheme after investing ‘a great deal of time, effort and money’.
But he wrote that building costs have risen beyond house price inflation while the developers wait for their Gateway 2 application to be approved.
Mr Orr wrote: “This made it extremely difficult to agree and hold a fixed price with a builder for the works adding significant expense and creating undue uncertainty.
“As a result, the scheme we had planned is no longer viable. This is an outcome we find enormously frustrating, and we are now looking at alternative ways to bring the site forward.
“This isn’t unique to Eastbourne. Developers across the country are facing the same challenge and it’s slowing down the delivery of much-needed new homes.”
The CEO confirmed that the site retains its outline planning permission despite the withdrawal of the Gateway 2 application.
Untold Living has been approached for comment.