Residents are furious that their voices have been dismissed by the council as plans for a controversial Royal Mail depot are approved. People in Patcham have told of their stress and dismay over the proposals for a new distribution centre in Vale Avenue. The scheme was approved on Wednesday by Brighton and Hove City Council despite more than 1,000 objections from residents as well as representation from Brighton and Hove Wildlife Forum, the Brighton Society, Patcham and Hollingbury Conservation Association and the Patcham Local History Group.
The Royal Mail wants to demolish the existing farm buildings in Vale Avenue and build the distribution hub with “associated access, parking, landscaping and infrastructure”. Bert and Irene Cusack have lived in Vale Avenue for over 20 years (Image: Ramy Abou-Setta / The Argus) “It is honestly too upsetting to even begin speaking about,” said Irene Cusack who has lived in Vale Avenue with her husband Bert for more than 20 years. ”It has left me so stressed and upset that they have approved the plans.
“We have lived here for over 20 years and we have seen so many planning applications for the land opposite our house be rejected. From a hotel, to a supermarket and even an amusement park, they have all been rejected for the congestion, pollution and just overall chaos it would cause in our area. “But as soon as a Royal Mail depot gets put through, which has considerably more consequences for our area than all the former proposal.