Newhaven development plan delay warning (From The Argus)

Newhaven development plan delay warning

12:50pm Friday 6th January 2012 in Business News

Planners have been urged to make a decision on a major development which would create hundreds of jobs – or risk it being withdrawn.

Lewes District Council’s planning committee has deferred making a decision on plans for undeveloped open land in Eastside, Newhaven, which would have brought a new Asda store, up to 190 homes, a petrol station and commercial space.

This was after local authority experts recommended it be put back, to be considered with three other major applications.

Speaking after the decision on Wednesday, January 4, a spokesman for developers Avalon said: “We are very disappointed that the committee chose to defer our application despite the overwhelming public support we received from the people of Newhaven, not least for the more than 400 new jobs being offered.

“Our scheme remains the only one that is deliverable and the only scheme which has county council highway approval.

“We also have full commitments from Asda and Barratt Homes, both of whom attended the planning meeting.

“We want to see the application brought back to the committee in the timescale promised, by April.

"If not, then we will consider all the options available to us. We do not want to see this opportunity lost for Newhaven which is the real danger.”

Martin Stallard, council head of development management, said: “We were pleased that the committee agreed with the officers’ recommendations to defer the applications. This will mean we can consider the merits of all the major applications for Newhaven at the same time, ensuring we get the outcome that is in the best interests of the town.”

More news from The Argus

Follow @brightonargus

Like us on Facebook

 Add us to your circles on Google+