‘Overbearing’ Newhaven apartment building refused

Proposals to create an apartment building in Newhaven have been refused due to being ‘overbearing’ and ‘unneighbourly’. 

At a virtual meeting on Wednesday (June 10), Lewes District Council’s planning committee turned down proposals to create a five-flat apartment building at 11 Station Road,  a corner plot at the junction of Beresford Road.

The application involved the conversion of a vacant two-storey home into two one-bedroom flats as well as the construction of a three-storey extension, which would have contained three two-bedroom flats.

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While the proposal had, on balance, been recommended for approval, the committee opted to refuse the scheme after hearing neighbours concerns around the impact of the proposals.

In a statement read on their behalf, neighbours Myron and Maureen Tlumak said: “If this is allowed to go ahead it will completely rob us of all natural light along the complete eastern wall of our property, where we have three large windows and our back door.

“This will effectively entomb the whole eastern aspect of our property with a three-storey high, 50ft-long brick wall. 

“We are a couple in our late 60s on the verge of retirement and we feel that allowing this overdevelopment completely disrespects our quality of life and peace of mind.”

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Mr and Mr Tlumak’s statement also raised concerns about the impact of the proposals on the local road infrastructure, particularly on the junction of Station Road and Beresford Road.

They added that they were not opposed to any form of development on the site, but felt the works proposed were too large.

The committee also heard statements from those in support of, including the applicant’s architect and planning agent Scott Currie.

In his statement, Mr Currie said: “We find ourselves in the most extraordinary times. A once in a lifetime perhaps, a time which should no longer allow us to return to the old ways. More relevant perhaps, is the way in which we should also be building from here on in.

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“Yes, arguably we are proposing a new architecture for the area with a terrace maximising the wonderful views of the sea and the downs, where overlooking already thrives.

“But this is also a once in a lifetime opportunity to create something for future generations, who will benefit from our forward thinking. Nelson Henderson said the true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”

Mr Currie went on to argue that the proposals would increase the variety of the accommodation, by introducing flats in to an area where larger homes are more common.

He also argued that the development would be sustainable and of a high-quality and “sensitive” design. 

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This view was not shared by the majority of the committee, however, with many councillors sharing concerns around the proposed building having an ‘overbearing’ impact on surrounding properties.

Cllr Graham Amy (Lib Dem, Newhaven South) said: “I feel there is overlooking. I feel there is loss of light [and] I think it is totally out-of-keeping with that area.

“If you look at Newhaven Neighborhood Plan it talks about promoting good design [but] I have to say I feel this is overdevelopment and I will object to it.”

Similar views were aired by Cllr Steve Saunders (Ind, Newhaven North), who said: “It is a nice-looking property, but it is not in keeping with the street scene there at all.

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“I don’t consider that there is adequate parking there for visitors and it is an example of the potential impact this will have on the neighbouring properties.

“I am also extremely concerned about the overbearing nature on the lower property on Station Road. It is really not a neighbourly looking design for that property.”

Other councillors, however, felt differently arguing that the committee should support the officers’, ‘on-balance’, recommendation to approve the scheme.

They included Cllr Tom Jones (Con, Ditchling and Westmeston) said: “Overall and looking at it I am minded that there is a desperate need for housing within the district.

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“We should be doing everything we possibly can to agree and accept plans which other might have considered, some time ago, as inappropriate [because] there was not a need.

“There is most definitely a need now. You have only got to look at the local plan to see that.”

Following further discussion the proposals were refused on a close vote of four to three. 

It was refused on the grounds it would be unneighbourly, overbearing and an overdevelopment of the site. The refusal also raises concerns about its impact on the road infrastructure.

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For further details see application reference LW/19/0513 on the Lewes District Council website.

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