Shoreham Harbour to be "eco town", plan

1:31pm Thursday 6th December 2007

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A bid for Shoreham Harbour to become one of the country's first "eco towns" has been submitted.

The huge regeneration project is planned for the area around the Sussex port, including up to 10,000 new homes and businesses to support 7,000 jobs.

It has now emerged that the South East England Development Agency, which is leading the scheme, has applied to the Government for the area to become a "New Growth point" or "eco town", which would see millions of pounds poured into the project.

Given that the project is an extension of Shoreham, Southwick and Hove, rather than a new town, Government backing is more likely to come via the New Growth bid.

Areas already part of this scheme have shared £40 million this year for infrastructure projects and to support studies and planning.

But a spokeswoman for Seeda said that the new Shoreham Harbour plans will be designed to hit most "eco town" criteria.

Under the new "eco town" scheme, the Government is looking for: - Links to surrounding towns and cities in terms of jobs, transport and services. Plans for a rapid bus system and a monorail have been discussed for Shoreham.

- A carbon zero development setting a benchmark in at least one area of environment technology. Talks on a giant wind turbine have been held but are at an early stage.

- A good range of facilities within the town including a secondary school, shopping, business space and leisure.

- Between 30 and 50 per cent affordable housing.

- An organisation to manage the town and its development and provide support for people, businesses and community services.

A briefing document, released by Seeda, reveals: "This is a very different approach to the Shoreham Maritime proposals put forward in 2000 which did not proceed for two main reasons: the approach concentrated on the provision of very significant up front infrastructure which resulted in a viability gap that was unacceptable to both public and private partners; the lack of any inter-connectivity between the port and the existing communities within the adjoining hinterland - leading to local opposition.

"The current project therefore presents a very different development proposition with the Area Action Plan covering a much broader regeneration area, encompassing the existing nearby residential and business communities, a greater mix of development uses, including employment, retail and leisure, and a more efficient use of the site through higher densities."

Around 20 schemes across the South East have applied to become eco homes.

A spokeswoman for SEEDA said: "We hope to hear the result early next year."

The news comes as a planning application for a major new development for almost 8,000 square metres of commercial floor space at Travis Perking, Baltic Wharf, Wellington Road, Portslade, is to be discussed.

Brighton and Hove City Council officers have recommended that the scheme is turned down in part because the proposals do not tie in with the emerging regeneration of the port.

A decision will be taken on December 12.