Traffic fears over new bid to develop marina

The meeting, held at the Hillcrest Centre on Tuesday, was called to discuss proposals by Oakdene Homes to build 473 homes at the marina and Augustfields in Brighton Road.

The marina application is for 321 flats, 12 town houses with parking and 973 sq m of commercial floor space, including a restaurant, shops and other facilities.

It is phase three of a project that has already seen more than 100 homes built in that area. The proposal is a revised version of a withdrawn application which had included the Railway Quay area of the town.

The other plan is to build 140 homes, shops and parking at Augustfields.

Architects Morgan Carn, who act for Oakdene Homes, gave a presentation to the meeting, called by the town council, about the developments and listened to comments from local people.

John Maclean, of Morgan Carn, said: 'Phase three encompasses the whole marina and will provide a continuation of the well-used riverside walkway and cycleway included in the first two phases.

'Following public consultation and discussions with the council the scheme has been improved further and now includes enhanced facilities for berth-holders, some houses in the mix and greater screening of cars.

'Most of the buildings have been reduced in mass and repositioned to better address Fort Road.

'The previous, combined application for the marina and Railway Quay sites was withdrawn following discussions with Lewes District Council who felt that Railway Quay could not proceed until a comprehensive flood defence strategy for the whole east side had been agreed.

'Additional detailed supporting information was also requested for the marina site, which has now been produced.

'Although the revised applications no longer include Railway Quay on the east side, it is important to note that the marina development will still provide enabling funding to kick start its regeneration.'

He added: 'Without this the costs associated with the regeneration of Railway Quay are likely to be prohibitively expensive and this highly visible eyesore will continue to decline.'

Residents raised worries that extra homes would bring traffic and car parking problems.

Following the meeting, Newhaven Town Council agreed to support the marina application but objected to the Augustfields development.

Members said they welcomed the marina application in principle, but noted concerns about the lack of parking spaces provided and the traffic impact on Fort Road.

They also expressed concerns that the quota of affordable housing was allocated to Augustfields but no social housing was provided in the marina development.

Cllr Pat Ost said: 'It is not good to ghettoise that development at the expense of Newhaven people.'

Objections to the Augustfields application included too many homes squeezed into the site and traffic and parking issues would worsen.

The committee said the proposed play areas for children were poorly placed and inadequate.

East Sussex County Council's highways authority has also expressed concerns about the plans.

A spokesman said: 'The traffic impact of the marina development has not been satisfactorily explained and mitigated against.

'The proposal does not provide for adequate parking facilities in accordance with the East Sussex County Council adopted standards which would result in additional congestion on the public highway causing interference with the free flow and safety of traffic on surrounding roads.'

With regard to Augustfields, the authority said it was unhappy that no transport assessment had been submitted and there were no proposals to bring the roads up to the standards of adopted roads.

A final decision on the two applications will be made by the district council.