WORK on a controversial major housing project is due to start in the “coming weeks”.

The proposals for a 450-home development at Lower Hoddern Farm in Peacehaven were approved in April and last week council bosses gave the go-ahead for building to begin.

Residents have strongly opposed the plans, saying more homes are not viable and will lead to even more pollution on the already chaotic A259 coast road.

But an agreement was reached last Monday which states highway improvement works will be carried out as well as Barratt Homes, the housebuilder, pumping cash into projects to benefit the community. That includes parks, sports facilities and work with schools.

Pictured is the first image of what the homes will look like, with the first 143 scheduled to be complete and residents moving in by early summer next year. The homes will be a mixture of apartments and houses.

Barratt Homes says the development is called Chalker’s Rise, and the company claims 40 per cent of the homes will be “affordable”.

The development could take up to six years and will be done in three phases.

To help tackle the A259 congestion issue, Barratt Homes is to fund a car club, which will see vehicles shared, “for the benefit of all residents in Peacehaven”.

Funding for a 12-month car club membership for every household at Chalker’s Rise has also been agreed.

At the planning meeting in April, one resident called the plans “f****** b*******” and others complained about the lack of green space it will bring.

Barratt Homes says a two-hectare extension of the country park is part of the final agreement.

Chiefs also say £200,000 will be contributed to the maintenance of Centenary Park over the course of the development.

Julian Hodder, managing director for Barratt Southern Counties, said: “Over the coming weeks we will be undergoing some provisional ground work and we expect to start the build programme in around a month’s time.

“Wherever Barratt builds new homes, we take our commitment to the community and our immediate neighbours very seriously.

“As with the nature of construction it is not always straightforward, but we will endeavour to do our best to keep the Peacehaven community up to speed with any of our planned works to minimise disruption.

“We would also welcome anyone who may become affected by any of the forthcoming work to get in touch with us directly so that we can resolve any potential issues as quickly as possible.”