Equipment bid for electric charging spaces at Eastbourne retail park approved
A proposal for a new substation and power bank for 12 electric charging spaces at an Eastbourne retail park has been approved.
The proposal also sought the provision of a feeder pillar and bollards at the Admiral Retail Park in Lottbridge Drove.
The charging facility will be available 24 hours a day.
The type of EV charging equipment proposed will, depending on the vehicle, charge up to 80% of its capacity in 15 to 20 minutes.
The planning application stated: “Whilst this application is not seeking permission for the charging facilities themselves, the EV charging facilities will not be able to operate without it.
"This application therefore enables rapid EV charging points to be retrofitted to an existing Retail Park car park thereby making EV use an increasing realistic alternative to vehicles with internal combustion engines.
"Moreover, the location within an existing Retail Park is such that most users of the facility will do so as part of a linked trip, using the services and facilities in the Retail Park.”
In the planning officers report, the report stated the new EV stations would ‘support the transition towards low-emission transport and
contributing to wider sustainability objectives’.
The council officer’s report stated: “The proposed development would facilitate the provision of electric vehicle charging infrastructure within an established retail park, supporting the transition towards low-emission transport and contributing to wider sustainability objectives.
"The proposal is considered acceptable in terms of its design, appearance, impact upon visual amenity, neighbouring amenity, highway safety and flood risk.
“No objections have been raised by the Environment Agency or ESCC Highways. The proposal is considered to accord with the relevant policies of the Eastbourne Core Strategy, the Eastbourne Borough Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework. Approval is therefore recommended, subject to conditions.”