A green development that could bring £1.3 million of investment into Brighton and Hove is expected to be rejected.
The city council claims plans for the PortZED development in Portslade are “overbearing” and “excessively out of scale”.
But developers say their revised plans, which bring the number of flats down from 67 to 62 and remove the controversial wind turbines that would have powered them, satisfy residents’ concerns.
Planning officers have recommended refusing the application by Hove-based developer Boho Green when it is considered by the planning committee next week, saying the developer’s revisions are so different they constitute a new application.
The plans for six blocks of zero-carbon apartments in Basin Road North, near Kingsway, have been in the pipeline for five years and have the backing of Brighton Pavilion Green MP Caroline Lucas and Friends of the Earth.
'Serious impact'
Residents say it would have a “serious adverse impact” on its surroundings, including noise, parking overspill, loss of light to nearby properties and the effect on views over Shoreham Harbour.
The development would set aside about £300,000 from the developers for improvements in the surrounding area and would also unlock almost £1 million of Government investment for a visitor centre and business hub.
Colin Brace, of Boho Green, said: “We have listened to what residents and the council have said about the scheme and we agreed to amend it. Now the council is refusing to accept those amendments and is insisting the committee discuss the original application.
“This is an incredible opportunity not only for a truly original development but also to unlock £1.3 million for the city.”
Mr Brace said he would speak at the meeting to urge councillors to accept amendments to the scheme.
The original application attracted a 363-name petition and more than 150 letters of opposition, including one from Kingsway and West Hove Residents’ Association.
A final decision on the scheme will be made at the planning committee meeting on Wednesday, February 22.
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