Shoreham Development With 159 Flats Up To Nine Storeys High Approved

Plans for a 159-flat Shoreham development with blocks up to nine storeys high were approved on Wednesday (March 2).

It took Adur District Council’s planning committee just over three hours to come to a decision on the scheme, which would be built at the former Civic Centre site at Ham Road.

At one point, chair Stephen Chipp (Con, Southwick Green) ejected members of the public from the room following bouts of laughter, groans, and clapping.

Hyde Homes now has the green light to build 159 flats on the site with commercial floorspace and 60 car parking spaces.

Original plans for 171 flats in buildings up to 11 storeys tall were amended following consultation and the maximum block height is now nine storeys.

Newly Amended Civic Centre Scheme

This would make the block the second tallest building in the area once the approved Free Wharf development is built.

Jenny Towler, vice-chairman and treasurer of the Shoreham Society, said:

“This significant site needs to be developed and we are very much in favour of this happening. 

“However, this prominent site needs to better consider how it affects its immediate surroundings.

“We ask the planning committee to reject this version of the proposed development.”

The scheme has been the subject of fierce protest by environmental campaigners and local residents, garnering more than 200 objections and sparking a 2,500 strong petition to save a mature poplar tree on the edge of the site.

Sticking points included the tree, the level of parking, and social and affordable housing.

The planning committee was told that a line of 25 trees would ‘make up for’ removal of the poplar tree but, if it was kept, five socially rented flats would be sacrificed.

One member of the public expressed concern that the trees may not be forthcoming.

Officers confirmed that ‘enforcement action’ is being taken at Mariners Point – where trees were promised but not planted.

A member of Adur Residents Environmental Action (AREA) said:

“AREA wants a sustainable mix of affordable and rented social housing, high quality design, green space and parking, and sympathy with the character of our Shoreham.

“This half-baked application should be rejected and deferred and not passed to an unelected officer for approval.

“The tree is a very powerful symbol – it turns a spotlight on how serious Adur is about the environment.”

George Mcgavin With Adur Communities Together

Although the developer has committed to making 100 per cent of the flats either shared ownership or social housing, the scheme will deliver at least 30 per cent.

Steve Neocleous (Con, Churchill) said:

“I’d really like some reassurance about the process to ensure that it happens.”

Hyde is reliant on Homes England funding to reach 100 per cent but has signed a memorandum of understanding with the council to show its commitment to providing the homes.

Amended Plans As Seen From Brighton Road West Civic Centre Site

Andy Hunt, associate director of land and planning at the Hyde Group, said the homes must be completed by 2025 to gain funding – something that requires the developer to start on site by June.

Joss Loader, of the Shoreham Beach Residents’ Association, said:

“There is one chance and one chance only to get this right.

“Many people feel that the link between the planning system and democracy is irretrievably broken.”

She said the SBRA was not opposed to the principle of the development but added its height could be a ‘blot on the landscape’.

“It also goes without saying that people don’t just need homes, they also need access to good and reliable public services,” she added.