For the Attention of Eastbourne Council Planning Department:
As a resident of Cavalry Crescent, I’m writing to voice my opposition to the proposed accommodation block on the corner of Cavalry Crescent and North Avenue.
I have posted information about the block on the area Facebook pages as well as a local page devoted to this subject. The general feedback from residents has been distinctly unfavourable.
Reactions from residents, both directly and indirectly, have been quite strong. Here are some examples:
– Ugly.
– Hideous.
– Out of keeping with the character of the area.
– Looks like a Soviet prison block.
– Looks like something my 13-year-old son would design on Mine Craft.
– Must have been designed by work experience architectural students in their lunch hour.
… and those were some of the more polite ones.
Although the buildings Eastbourne Council would like to demolish have been listed as “condemned”, it would seem this is due to a policy of withdrawal of maintenance, rather than buildings reaching the end of their useful lives.
There are many similar buildings in Cavalry Crescent and surrounding roads, which have been properly maintained, and this proves the point that with some additional maintenance, the properties scheduled for demolition could easily be restored to accommodate families.
In conversations with local residents, I have heard reports of some considerable stress and mental anguish at the thought of the planned construction. It also seems apparent that many local residents in Cavalry Crescent, North Avenue and surrounding roads, have not been advised by the Council about this planned development.
This would seem to be a serious oversight, as local people, who may be affected, need to have their say, and object if they feel so inclined. By not receiving detailed information of Council plans, the ability to get involved is not possible. It would surely be normal procedure for local people to be informed well before the demolition teams arrive.
The main objections put forward by local residents are
1) Parking facilities in the council’s plan are inadequate, and that the increased level of occupancy will result in additional overcrowding in street parking, which is already difficult.
2) Residents adjacent to the planned block are feeling extremely upset. Besides objecting to the general appearance of the block, they feel their privacy will disappear, and they will be overlooked.
3) It’s felt that adding to the population in this area, will impact negatively on local services, such as schools, healthcare etc.
4) One objection that is consistently voiced, is that the size of the proposed block would be visually overpowering, and completely out of keeping with the local architecture and feel of the area. Even residents from elsewhere in Eastbourne have strongly echoed this concern.
Local architecture is made up of two- storey, three bedroom semi-detached houses. This proposed three-storey block, with additional constructions atop, effectively giving the appearance of a building on four levels, would radically alter the look and feel of the whole area. The building would clearly dominate Cavalry Crescent and North Avenue.
5) Another question that has been mooted, is where the anticipated residents for this block would be coming from. Although the question may be a challenging one, are they likely to be Eastbourne residents requiring subsidised accommodation, or might the plan be to find accommodation for homeless people from London, Brighton, Hastings etc?
6) While Council intentions regarding occupancy have not been made available, some concern has been expressed, that the provision of single occupancy accommodation, could potentially be problematic.
To underline that concern, I have personal experience of living in a council block in Varndell Street, Camden NW1, where single occupancy accommodation was provided. Problems there with lone individuals having drug and alcohol addictions, created unacceptable challenges for other residents, and in particular, families with children.
Placing people with significant lifestyle challenges and behavioural problems, in an area largely comprised of family units, could create unwelcome problems. It would be important for local residents to be assured that people with drug and alcohol addictions would not be housed in this area.
6) A wider issue that could affect residents in the surrounding area, is the potential for escalation of these building proposals. If the council was successful with this plan, other similar properties could be demolished, to make way for the construction of more large blocks having much the same appearance, and an inevitable negative reaction from local residents.
Alternative Plan
While the vast majority of reactions to the proposed demolition and building are entirely negative, it would be reasonable to offer a counter proposal that would be a compromise suggestion.
While the proposed building of this block seems to be universally unpopular, this suggestion might be a way forward.
It has been noticed that new terraced houses have been constructed on the corner of Hyde Road and Calvary Road in Eastbourne town centre.
Local residents have generally welcomed the design and layout of the buildings, which would offer additional occupancy, while fitting in with existing architecture.
Photos of these buildings, showing how they have been designed to gain maximum occupancy within the space available, while fitting in perfectly with the general appearance of existing architecture can be seen by clicking the following link:
To summarise, the proposed demolition of existing houses and the building of a large block catering for a significant increase in occupancy, has been negatively received by local residents.
While it is understood the council is attempting to increase housing stock, the disruption, the size and appearance of the proposed building, and the anticipated effect this will have on parking and local services, is generally seen as an unacceptable and disturbing plan.
It’s fair to say that a number of local residents are quite distressed at this proposal, many of whom are unable to express their gloomy and pessimistic thoughts due to age and/or inability to use or access the Internet.
Members of Eastbourne Council planning department are welcome to join the local Facebook page, which was set up specifically to discuss the issues surrounding the proposed building of this accommodation block. You can join here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/306523410959472
A full and detailed response from Eastbourne Council, to all points raised, will therefore be anticipated and appreciated.
NOTE
Copies of this critique, sent to Eastbourne Council Planning Department have been made available to all local residents via social media and private messaging.
Additional copies have also been sent to Caroline Ansell, our Eastbourne Member of Parliament, and the Editor of the at the Eastbourne Herald.
[ A copy of this entire message is available here:
https://upsurger.com/copy-of-message-to-eastbourne-council-planning-department/ ]
Sent by:
Simon Bailey
simonbailey999@gmail.com