Coachwerks Home Plans Go Ahead Despite 81 Objections In Brighton

Plans to replace workshops and a health food shop with homes and workspace have gone through.

Three, two-bedroom, two-storey houses and a two bedroomed flat, as well as flexible working space, will replace Coachwerks in Hollingdean Terrace, Brighton.

Coachwerks building manager Rachel Entwistle addressed Brighton and Hove City Council’s Planning Committee’s virtual meeting today (Wednesday 5 August) and said that the scheme would bring more cars to the area.

She said that nine cars from the workspace, plus more from the four homes proposed would put a strain on parking in the area.

Currently, Coachwerks workers have five cars and one person living on site has one.

Green councillor Martin Osborne, who represents Hollingdean and Stanmer ward, opposed the application which attracted 81 letters of objection and two letters of support.

He said that there was already a parking issue in the area, including motorhomes being left there for long spells by people who live in areas with controlled parking zones.

Councillor Osborne said that he was pleased to see flexible workspace but said that there was no guarantee that the current workers could afford space in the proposed building.

He said that 1,232 square metres of the workspace would be lost.

Councillor Osborne, the new deputy chair of the Planning Committee, said:

“It’s a community hub used at the evenings and weekends and that’s what the people in Hollingdean like about it.

“It’s used for classes and workshops and Open Houses.”

After Councillor Osborne had spoken, he left the meeting and did not vote on the application.

Labour councillor Theresa Fowler, who also represents Hollingdean and Stanmer ward, said in a written statement that the proposals were an overdevelopment of the site.

Gareth Giles, of planning and design company Whaleback, representing the site owner Patricia Camping, said that the current building was in a “poor state of repair” and at the end of its serviceable and safe life.

Ad hoc alterations over the years meant that the existing building did not meet current fire standards.

Mr Giles said that the workspace was flexible and could be used as offices or light industrial units.

Councillor Sue Shanks asked about community access because many objectors had questioned their ability to be able to use the proposed building.

Mr Giles said that most of the site was not open to the public as it was a private workspace.

The shop and gallery exhibition space were the only parts with public access.

Councillor Carol Theobald voted against the scheme, saying that there was too much housing planned for the site.

She said:

“It does look a scrappy place and is a bit run down but I do feel there is too much housing compared with the studios.

“It seems rather cramped, like pouring a quart into a pint pot.”

Councillors voted six to two to approve the scheme.

By Sarah Booker-Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter.