Controversial Eastbourne planning decisions delayed due to coronavirus pandemic

No decision has been made on a trio of controversial planning applications which had been due to go before town planners this week, Eastbourne Borough Council has confirmed.
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Decisions on applications to build housing on the Wood Winton, Glebe Cottage and Spring Mead sites in Eastbourne have been deferred until further notice, a council spokesman has confirmed.

The three applications – all in the Meads ward of Eastbourne – had been due to be discussed by the council’s planning committee on Tuesday (March 24), but the committee meeting (and all others) had been cancelled in light of the coronavirus lockdown.

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The deferral is significant as the council last week confirmed it could continue to make decisions on planning and licensing applications using executive power, where it was deemed necessary. 

Eastbourne Town Hall (Photo by Jon Rigby) SUS-190425-155116008Eastbourne Town Hall (Photo by Jon Rigby) SUS-190425-155116008
Eastbourne Town Hall (Photo by Jon Rigby) SUS-190425-155116008

While no decision had been made on the three Meads applications, two minor applications which had also been due for discussion at the same meeting have been approved.

Both applications related to a site off of Martinique Way in Sovereign Harbour (known as White Point), which has had ten semi-detached homes built on it under a previous application. 

One application sought permission for a series of minor variations to the detailed design of the original scheme, while the other sought permission to install glazed balustrades to the beach side terraces of the homes.

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Further detail can be found by searching for the application references 190932 and 190933 on the Eastbourne Borough Council planning website. 

Proposals to extend the Eastbourne College Conservation area have also been approved, but will require a cabinet decision before being adopted.

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