Controversial flats plan wins backing

The proposal to build a three-storey block of flats on Cliff Road has been given conditional support from the planning department of Lewes District Council - despite opposition from Seaford Town Council, residents and the Residents Association of Seaford Head (RASH).

A final decision will be made by the district council's planning committee on Wednesday (June 18), but the planning officers said the development, which will also have underground parking, should be allowed to go ahead.

In a report written for councillors on the planning committee, the planners state: 'The objections raised by the town council, RASH and residents have been taken into account in assessing the application.

'However, the substance of many objections tend to strike at the principle of the development, which has already been established at the site.'

Two detached houses, Ellenbank and the Tempest, have been demolished to make way for the proposed flats in long-running saga which dates back to 2003.

Outline permission to knock the houses down and build 13 flats was granted in 2005.

A further application for two additional flats on an extra storey was refused and a subsequent appeal was dismissed because, according to the government planning inspector, it 'failed to respect and be consistent with the prevailing more domestic scale and character of buildings in the area.'

The district council has received 17 letters of objections about the latest application, which is a detailed plan for nine two bedroom flats and four three bedroom maisonettes.

Residents concerns include, the height of the building, over-development of the site and the potential for increased traffic and parking problems.

The application will be discussed at the council chamber in County Hall, St Anne's Crescent, Lewes, at 5pm on June 18.