Opposition to council plans for 250 flats in Coldean

The plans have been submitted by the joint venture between Brighton and Hove City Council and Hyde Housing.

The joint venture wants to build six blocks of flats on land east of Coldean Lane, with two seven-storey blocks and four six-storey buildings.

The 250 homes would include a mix of flats for shared ownership and flats for rent.

A mix of one, two and three-bed homes are planned, with 162 car parking spaces, including 10 visitor spaces, as well as 365 cycle parking spaces.

Landscaping plans includes wildlife areas and adventure playgrounds for children.

Currently 44 comments objecting to the plans from neighbours have been left on the council website as well as two comments supporting the scheme.

Concerns include the impact on wildlife and trees as well as the spread of shared houses for students – also known as houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) – in Coldean and the wider area.

An anonymous comment on the website said: “In these so-called days of green development this is contra to all the council’s policy.

“The area in question is already vastly over-developed and over-populated, especially HMOs.

“The roads cannot cope with extra traffic. This is not only sheer greed of developers. It is a tragedy in waiting to further ruin the environment and another green space lost forever.”

Another anonymous commenter said: “More valuable land used by our precious wildlife would be lost if this building development proceeds.

“Badgers, other mammals, reptiles, birds and insects will lose their homes due to this development. Build in the city if these homes are needed. Leave the wildlife in peace.”

Other neighbours are concerned about the size and look of the buildings.

Another anonymous commenter said: “In scale, they match the projects of South Bronx.

“They have inner-city ghetto writ large all over them. Except they are not in the inner city. They are as far out of the city as it is possible to go.”

Another comment said: “This is a poorly designed scheme which lacks character. It over-develops the site without appropriate consideration of context or its inhabitants.

“It does not contribute to the development of sustainable neighbourhoods.”

There is support from the Brighton Society as its members think it is a good use of a triangular patch of land.

The society said: “The six apartment blocks seem to be sensitively located to take good advantage of a triangular sloping site and to be pleasant in appearance.

“We welcome the preservation of the footpath up to the footbridge into Stanmer woods, the retention of existing mature trees and the provision of amenity and play spaces.

“We would support the formation of a roundabout at the junction of Hawkhurst Road and Coldean Lane to ease traffic flow on a busy narrow road.”

Details of the application can be seen by searching for BH2018/03541 at planningapps.brighton-hove.gov.uk.