Councillors forced to say "yes" to unwanted flats

Collington Developments Ltd. had sought planning permission to replace a two-storey house in Collington Avenue with 12 flats and 17 parking places on a site east of Tudor Court and Brampton Court.

Officers reported that the site in within the development boundary for Bexhill. Outline planning permission had been granted on appeal for a block of 10 flats on the site, so establishing the development principle,

They recommended granting permission but with conditions to ensure that the development "takes account of its surroundings and establishes buildings of high quality in the interests of the character of the area...."

They also recommended a condition relating to floor levels to ensure that the development is set down at a low level to reduce the impact on neighbouring properties.

Councillors had argued that the whole character of the town was changing because so many of the distinctive older detached houses were being replaced by blocks of flats.

Cllr Deirdre Williams spoke out against the application. So did Cllr Joanne Gadd.

Cllr Brian Kentfield thumped the table in his efforts to insist that at least the developers should not be allowed to site a large building to house its wheelie bins right on the edge of the site.

Rother head of planning Frank Rallings told members that the issue was already "lost" because of the previous appeal decision.

He said the fact that the fresh application was for 12 flats rather than the previous 10 would be insufficient grounds for turning it down. If members rejected the new plan the developers would go to appeal, win and be granted costs against Rother.