Decision on 18-storey port tower deferred again

A decision on proposals to build a large apartment complex including an 18-storey tower block near the entrance to an East Sussex port has been deferred again.

On Wednesday Lewes District Council’s planning committee considered the plans for 126 flats and duplexes on land in Beach Road in Newhaven.

Council meetings to discuss the project had already been deferred on two previous occasions after requests from applicant KSD Support Services.

It wanted final comments from East Sussex Highways in the application as well as details which specifically addressed concerns about noise.

The scheme had been recommended for approval by council planning officers, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

The report to the committee said the proposed development would "deliver significant social, environmental and economic benefit".

It said this would be done through the delivery of "much needed smaller housing units, high quality buildings along with landscaping and biodiversity enhancements".

The site had previously seen planning permission granted for a mixed-use development including an 80-bedroom hotel which was not built.

The 18-storey tower has proven to be particularly controversial among local residents, LDRS reports.

The council has received 197 letters of objection as well as a petition signed by 187 individuals.

The petition, which was submitted by Newhaven’s Liberal Democrat group, read: "The 18-storey high tower will be higher than Nelson’s Column, and will completely change not just the local street scene but the whole of Newhaven.”

Objections have also been raised by Newhaven Port and Properties Ltd.

Committee members voted by six to two to defer the decision to a future meeting, after more discussion with the developer.

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