Anger over plan to replace one house with nine

The controversial plans to replace one house with nine on a plot in Falmer Road were approved on appeal subject to a number of conditions including details of the design.

Now the developer Denton Homes has put in an application to change designs which were part of ‘condition two’, placed on the project by the planning inspectorate.

In a report going before Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee on Wednesday (August 12), officers recommend approving planning permission.

Adjustments to the plans are described as ‘minor’ changes to windows and the roofs of the different buildings.

Changes to landscaping are described as an improvement, as the developer asked to remove several trees to the western side and plant new hedgerows and plants to the south and north boundary of the site.

Duncan Howie, whose home in Court Ord Road backs on to the development, sent an extensive letter explaining how he felt the developer was not sticking to the conditions.

He said: “It is clear that, at this late stage, the developer is requesting relaxation of more than just condition two.

“The developer appears to be concerned only with their own interests and is disregarding appropriate standards in order to achieve them.

“This cynical approach should not be accepted.”

Norman Watson, also of Court Ord Road, is concerned about changes in windows and removal of greenery.

He said: “These windows overlook our property and affect our privacy.

“I assume the purpose of these windows is to allow more light into the property so can those on the first floor and those on the second floor ( if they are allowed to get away with the design change) be glazed with obscure glass?

“The landscape plan doesn’t show the mature trees near the west boundary – is this the subtle way in which the developers are intending to get permission to remove them? – the hedge between us has already been removed.”

Rottingdean Coastal ward Conservative councillor Mary Mears said: “I do not support the developer’s request to amend the existing granted application to enable the developer to cram too many properties on this site.

“This was always going to be a difficult site to develop, trying to build the number of units in such a small area. The original drawings show this. Now as the site is being developed, it’s even clearer.”

She asked for the application to go before the committee and for the option to speak.

The planning committee is due to discuss the plans at Hove Town Hall at 2pm on Wednesday. The meeting is open to the public.

Sarah Booker-Lewis is the Local Democracy Reporter for Brighton & Hove.

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