UP TO 450 homes could be built if a new planning application is accepted.

Barratt Homes has submitted the proposal to build 143 homes and set out plans for a further 307 properties to be built on the Lower Hoddern Farm site in Peacehaven.

The proposed project will include of a mix of half-storey homes, two-storey flats and three-storey flats and a portion of land will be incorporated into Centenary Park to increase the area’s open space.

Richard Suttcliffe-Smith, a spokesman for Barratt Homes, said: “We will be handing out around 1,000 newsletters explaining the details of the planning proposal to residents in the immediate area later this week.

“We will also be placing them at the town council building and there will be a small display with even more information for the public.

“We are aware of the issues raised but are confident that the measures put forward will satisfy those concerned about the development.

“There is a need for new housing in this area and a proportion of the new homes will definitely be affordable.”

The planning application states that around 40 per cent of the properties will be affordable.

Hundreds of authorised parking spaces and around 327 on-street parking spaces would be created but would not be allocated to residents.

Trees would be planted on the eastern side to shield homes backing onto land and a high fence would be built to prevent interaction between the development and Peacehaven Community School.

Direct access to the homes for vehicles would be from the north-west corner of the site on Pelham Street.

Developers say Pelham Street is “fit for purpose” to cope with the number of motorists in the area.

But the proposed development could put pressure on the already congested A259 South Coast Road, which links Peacehaven to Brighton and Newhaven and is congested every weekday.

Data modelling predicts traffic growth to be “exacerbated” in years to come but the application highlights the need to invest in road infrastructure, bus routes and cycle lanes.

This includes a focus on car sharing schemes, bus travel and improved cycle highways to Newhaven.

A statement in the planning application said: “Due to local highway capacity constraints, an essential requirement of the development will be the identification and delivery of a co-ordinated package of multi-modal transport measures to mitigate the impacts on the A259 coast road.

“This will include effective enhancements to the existing bus service levels and infrastructure in the A259 corridor, thereby increasing the share of total person demands by bus for the whole area.”