Controversial proposals to build a major apartment complex in Newhaven have been deferred for a third time. Lewes District Council’s planning committee considered proposals to build 126 flats and duplexes — many within an 18-storey tower — on land in Beach Road, near to the entrance of Newhaven Port. The plans had been due for consideration on two occasions earlier this year, but were deferred without discussion both times in light of requests from applicant KSD Support Services.
While the plans saw detailed discussion this time round, committee members opted to defer the proposals in hopes of reducing the height of an 18-storey tower at the heart of the scheme. Several committee members had raised concerns about the height of the tower during the debate, including Cllr Becky Francomb who said: “What I am hearing is that people welcome some development of the area, but it is the tower that is the sticking point. This has been described as a landmark and bold.
One person’s bold is another out-of-character and overbearing; certainly that is what I am hearing from local residents. “It has been described as a landmark building. To me a landmark building is a building of historical or cultural importance, often one with public access.
Something like Spinnaker Tower for example. It is not that it is not a public building and it would not be accessible or freely accessible for people to benefit from those views.” A similar view was shared by Cllr Paul Mellor who said: .