Harbour Development
The Local Development Framework
Introduction
A public consultation on The Local Development Framework: Core Spatial
Development Strategy (LDF) was commenced in the autumn of 2009.
A feedback report detailing the results was published by EBC in June 2010.
The Report sought the inclusion of options 2 & 3 combined in the completed LDF Core Strategy that will undergo public consultation in early 2011. Option 2 includes the possibility of at least 150 additional homes in Sovereign Harbour.
Paras 4.24 -4.26 of the Report include the argument: "Discounting the responses received at the ‘Neighbourhood 14 – Sovereign’ consultation event significantly reduces the level of opposition to Option 2, making it the most supported and least opposed option by the rest of the Borough".
This, in our view, is grossly unfair. Option 2 is the only option that impacts directly on Sovereign Harbour, yet the views of Harbour residents opposing this option are simply to be "discounted"!
SHRA's Response to LDF Report
SHRA is determined to resist any further residential development within the Harbour area. We want to ensure that all the remaining development land is used to provide the necessary social infrastructure and the business and tourist facilities that will make Sovereign Harbour a sustainable community for the future.
We considered that the way the LDF consultation was carried out, and the way that conclusions were drawn from it, were wrong.
As a result, and on behalf of our members, in early June 2010 SHRA wrote to Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State (SoS) for Communities, asking that his Department investigate:
i. The manner in which EBC
conducted the LDF public consultation.
ii. The report that was produced as a result.
iii. The validity of the conclusions that were reached.
Read SHRA's letter to SoS... Read SHRA's covering letter to CE of EBC...
In early July 2010, EBC CE Robert Cottrill responded to our letters. Our concerns over the manner of the LDF consultation were dismissed. He acknowledged that Sovereign Harbour lacked a number of important community facilities, but insisted that the only way they could be provided was from profit made by further residential development.
He also intimated that the land owners were in the process of drawing up a draft master plan for consultation in the Autumn. Read Chief Executive's letter to SHRA...
Eastbourne Plan Published
December 2010 - The Eastbourne Plan - Proposed Core Strategy 2006-2027 has been published as part of Eastbourne's Local Development Framework (LDF).
In the foreword of the Plan, Leader of the Council Cllr. David Tutt describes it as.. "a tool for the future development of the Borough, reflecting the aspirations of the local community. It provides a 15-year vision [commencing in 2012] of how Eastbourne will evolve as a place; catering for housing, economic and population growth within a confined urban seafront setting."
For the Sovereign Harbour area the Plan proposes the following.
"Sovereign will increase its levels of sustainability through the delivery of community infrastructure and employment development, ensuring that a holistic view is taken of development across the remaining sites.
This will be achieved by:
Developing community facilities in order to meet the needs of local residents;
- Providing extensive employment opportunities through the development of a Science Park;
- Increasing the amount of usable open space and the number of children’s play areas;
- Delivering a limited amount of residential development (150 units), including affordable housing, in order to provide community infrastructure;
- Increasing the importance of the Waterfront as a leisure and tourist centre;
- Encouraging opportunities to improve the provision of public transport through improvements to bus routes; and
- Enhancing the provision of cycle and walking routes to improve connections within the neighbourhood and to other parts of the town."
SHRA strongly oppose the plan's proposal to build 150 more residential properties at Sovereign Harbour
Eastbourne Plan Consultation
Click for here to view the Plan and read the submissions on the EBC web site...
Over 460 of Sovereign’s residents attended the Council's dedicated neighbourhood drop-in consultation event held in the Haven School on 22nd January 2011 and left their comments on the plans. More than 440 of them also signed a petition signaling their opposition to any more house building at Sovereign Harbour.
SHRA's Formal Response to Eastbourne Plan
In early March 2011, SHRA delivered its response to the Eastbourne Plan consultation in the form of a report, along with a supporting petition containing 1,550 signatures. Click here to read SHRA's Response...
What happens next?
Following the Eastbourne Plan consultation period, a finalised Plan will be submitted to the Secretary of State for Communities by November 2011. Responses and recommendation from the SoS are expected by July 2012, with adoption of the Plan scheduled for October 2012.
We also understand that the Sovereign Harbour land owners have drawn up a 'Master Plan' for the remaining development sites. We do not know what timetable the developers are working to; they could apply for planning permission at any time. It may be they are awaiting the outcome of the 2011 local elections in May, or finalisation of The Eastbourne Plan.