Flats plan for Hove sets '˜dangerous precedent', councillor says

More than 200 people have objected to plans to replace a house with flats.
10 Shirley Drive, Hove10 Shirley Drive, Hove
10 Shirley Drive, Hove

Plans for the house on the corner of The Droveway and Shirley Drive, Hove, involve demolishing the existing building to make way for ten flats.

Concerns range from an increase in traffic and parking problems to the size of the building and loss of light.

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Hove Park ward Councillor Vanessa Brown, a Conservative, wrote: “The greatest concern is that allowing a block of flats to be built in the middle of a residential area where there are no flats at all could set a dangerous precedent for the future.

“If this application should be recommended to be passed, I would request that it goes before the planning committee for decision.”

In her letter she said that there were no flats in either Shirley Drive or The Droveway, describing the plans as a complete over-development of the site.

A nearby resident, who asked not to be identified, said: “There are many cars and vans around. It is dangerous to cross the road.

“Lots of people are talking about traffic accidents.”

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He added: “Surely the objections to this application from over 200 local residents should not be ignored by this committee.”

Hove Civic Society is supporting the plans as it wants to see more flats in the area but described the design as disappointing.

As part of the application, the developer was asked for £8,100 towards sustainable transport such as dropped kerbs and bus stop improvements in Shirley Drive.

The development would include four one-bedroom and five two-bedroom flats and one with three bedrooms.

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The scheme includes 10 parking spaces, including one disabled parking space, as well as 10 bicycle parking spaces.

The application for outline planning permission is due to be discussed by the Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee on Wednesday (July 18).

The meeting is scheduled to start at 1pm at Hove Town Hall and should be open to the public.

Sarah Booker-Lewis is the Local Democracy Reporter for Brighton & Hove.