56-home heritage redevelopment at Welkin Site Carlisle Road, Eastbourne

What was proposed

The scheme would demolish several buildings, convert heritage buildings and provide 56 homes with access, parking, landscaping and biodiversity improvements.

“Executive Summary 1.1 The application is presented to the planning committee in line with the council's scheme of delegations. The scheme will deliver 56 dwellings, comprising conversions of heritage buildings and new-build homes, alongside comprehensive landscaping and biodiversity enhancements.”

“The proposal includes: - Demolition: Welkin Laboratories, gatekeeper’s cottage, and garages (non-heritage structures). - Retention and Conversion: Trevin Towers (4 dwellings) and Annexe (3 dwellings) Welkin House (6 dwellings) Bishopsbourne (9 dwellings) - New Build: 34 houses (predominantly 3-bedroom family homes). - Access and Parking: Formalised Carlisle Road access, retention of Gaudick Road accesses, 112 parking spaces, EV charging, and cycle storage.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The vacant site covers about 1.86 hectares in Meads and contains listed and non-designated heritage buildings, mature trees, lawns and boundary walls.

“The application site, known as the Welkin Site, is located on Carlisle Road within the Meads area of Eastbourne and extends to approximately 1.86 hectares (4.6 acres). The site previously formed part of the University of Brighton campus and is now vacant following the university’s withdrawal from Eastbourne in 2024. The site comprises a sub-rectangular plot accommodating several buildings and associated grounds.”

“All existing trees on site are protected, and the site’s landscape contributes positively to the character of the conservation area.”

Officer report

Planning history

The site has planning history dating from 1969, but none of it was considered relevant to this redevelopment proposal.

“- Landscaping: Retention of mature trees, planting of 73 new trees, communal amenity spaces, and biodiversity enhancements. - Sustainability: Zero-carbon new-build homes; EPC B for conversions; air source heat pumps and PV panels. Relevant Planning History: There is extensive planning history for the Welkin Site dating back to 1969, none of which are relevant to this redevelopment proposal.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended delegated approval after completing the viability assessment and ecology consultation, with legal agreements and planning conditions.

“Recommendation: Delegate to Head of Development Management, to: - Conclude the financial viability assessment from the Council’s elected viability consultants; and - Conclude the consultation with the County Ecologist. And on the provision that no substantive objection is received following conclusion of consultation, to:”

“Grant Planning Permission subject to S160 Agreement to secure: 1) Affordable Housing contribution (including late-stage review) 2) Local Labour Agreement; 3) Bus Service Contributions; 4) BNG Monitoring fees; 5) Travel Plan - Monitoring Fees. And subject to planning conditions, including the imposition of additional conditions taking account of consultation responses.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the housing, sustainability, heritage, biodiversity, design and amenity benefits greater than the limited harm identified.

“Appraisal: Key Considerations: In determining this application, Members should have regard to the key considerations relating to principle of development, heritage impact, visual amenity, residential amenity, highway impacts, ecology and landscaping and sustainability.”

“While the development will result in the loss of an educational use, this has been robustly justified through evidence of the University’s withdrawal and the absence of any viable alternative occupier. No technical objections have been identified in relation to highways, flood risk, ecology, or residential amenity.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant spoke in support, followed by the ward councillor speaking in support of the application.

Committee debate and vote

A proposal following the officer recommendation and amended conditions was seconded and carried unanimously.

“The Committee was advised by way of the Addendum that no additional representations had been received. Amended conditions to accommodate development phasing had been submitted by the Applicant for inclusion in the decision.”

“Councillor Lamb put forward a proposal in line with the officer’s recommendation and the amended conditions set out in the Addendum. This was seconded by Councillor Dehdashty and was put to a vote and carried.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee delegated approval subject to completing viability and ecology matters, receiving no substantive objection, legal agreements and amended conditions.

“RESOLVED: (Unanimously) to delegate the Head of Development Management to conclude the financial viability assessment from the Council’s elected viability consultants and conclude the consultation with the County Ecologist; and on the provision that no substantive objection is received following conclusion of consultation, to grant Planning Permission subject to S160 Agreement to secure: Affordable Housing contribution (including late- stage review); Local Labour Agreement;…”

Minutes