Planning committee rejects Barnhorn care plan

The McCarthy and Stone application was to demolish five properties on the south side of Barnhorn Road opposite Howards Crescent and build a complex of 36 serviced apartments and 30 nursing suites with communal facilities and a 22-place car park and battery car store.

The planning department had received 37 letters of objection citing over-development, additional traffic problems in Barnhorn Road, loss of privacy, loss of amenity and increased accident risk on the busy trunk road.

Receipt of a further four letters was reported to last Thursday's meeting.

The recommendation from planning officers was to refuse permission on the grounds that the proposed development would be out of character with the locality, creating a continuous facade and a density and mass of development unrelated to the rest of the road, that it would be detrimental to the amenities of neighbouring properties because of overlooking, be overbearing and that the applicants had not demonstrated that it could be drained satisfactorily.

Officers had said in a report that it was clear from the Southern Water response that the existing combined sewerage system was at capacity and that to connect the proposed development would increase the risk of flooding.

Cllr Joanne Gadd, who used to live in the road, said: "I know the recommendation that officers have made and I thank them for it.

"Anyone who lives in Barnhorn Road deserves consideration.

"They have to put up with a tremendous amount of traffic. Although there is a 30mph limit few drivers abide by it.

"This development would only increase the problem. How can another nursing home be built on this road?

"We have enough nursing homes in Bexhill and I am told some have empty rooms. We don't need another one."

Cllr Deirdre Williams said: "I am really pleased to see on the table a recommendation for refusal."

Councillor Stuart Wood said there were already around 25 warden care blocks in the town.

"The community cannot cope with this and the problems of Barnhorn Road - this is not the place for it."