Letters of objection and support as company applies to erect six custom self-build homes in Peacehaven

HWH Estates Ltd is seeking outline planning permission for the dwellings, with all matters reserved except access, on land to the east of Downs Walk.

The agent for the application is Dowsett Mayhew and people can view the documents at planningpa.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/online-applications using LW/26/0366.

The proposed homes would be three three-bedroom houses and three four-bedroom houses.

The planning, design and access statement by Dowsett Mayhew said: “The site lies immediately to the north of the eight dwellings recently completed under LW/21/0014, and to the north-east of the existing dwellings at 61 and 65 Downs Walk.”

It said the application site extends to about 4,932sqm with the South Downs National Park (SDNP) immediately to the west.

The statement continued: “To the north-east of the site lie further residential properties fronting Downs Walk and the wider Valley Road area, comprising scattered detached dwellings of varying age and character.”

It said the site is also within Flood Zone 1 and at ‘very low risk’ of surface water flooding. It said the proposed access to the site ‘comprises the continuation of Downs Walk’ as a ‘5.5-metre-wide shared surface’, together with the associated highway works needed to serve the development.

It added that a ‘key component’ of the scheme involves retaining and enhancing the established boundary vegetation, which includes ‘the creation of a continuous undeveloped ecological corridor around the northern, western and eastern boundaries’.

But the planning statement also said the application site is outside the Peacehaven settlement boundary defined by the Lewes Local Plan Part 2. It said the proposal is ‘therefore not in accordance with the spatial strategy of the Development Plan’ but said the planning context has ‘changed materially’ since the boundary was defined, adding that the housing requirement has been ‘substantially increased’ since then.

The application has received letters of both objection and support.

One letter said: “I object to this planning application on the grounds that it is outside the planning boundary, building in the countryside and is harmful to wildlife and their habitat.”

Another resident expressed concerns about ‘urban creep’, saying greenfield sites should be retained ‘for all the biodiversity that they offer’. The resident also said the ‘self build nature’ of the dwellings means there is ‘no joined up and cohesive nature to the proposed application’.

But one letter of support said: “This is a small, well considered self-build development that would provide a unique opportunity for buyers and enhance the local area. The proposal to widen and improve the current road will benefit everyone, along with the recognition of an essential wildlife corridor at the rear of the plot. This development is located in the vicinity of other new build properties and therefore is not detrimental to overall aesthetic or character of the immediate area.”

Another letter of support said: “This development gives the opportunity for self builders and investors to give back to the area while creating their dream homes in the location, which otherwise gets overlooked.”

The planning statement’s conclusion said the district is experiencing ‘an acute and persistent shortfall in housing delivery’ and said the proposal would provide up to six additional homes in a sustainable location adjoining an existing development. It said this would continue ‘the established pattern of residential growth at the northern end of Downs Walk.’

This proposal has recently been listed as an ‘adjoining authority consultation’ at planningpublicaccess.southdowns.gov.uk under reference SDNP/26/03566/ADJAUT.

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