PLANS to replace one house with four face opposition from neighbours and councillors.

An application to demolish an existing bungalow in Deans Close, Woodingdean, and replace it with four, two-storey, three-bedroom houses received 35 letters of objection and is opposed by ward councillors Steve Bell and Dee Simson.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s Planning Committee is advised to grant permission when it meets on Wednesday 6 July.

The bungalow used to belong to the late former Labour and UKIP councillor Leigh Farrow and the applicant for the new development is Karen Kutter.

There was an outcry in the area last year when workers cleared trees and buses from the site as a neighbouring plot, the Honeysett Wildlife Site, owned by Roger’s Wildlife Rescue since 1983, has been home to a badger sett for more than 40 years.

An ecological appraisal submitted as part of the application said that all on-site contractors would be made aware of the potential presence of badgers, and any trenches would be covered overnight or fitted with ramps.

Ms Kutter’s agent also submitted a reptile report confirming slow worms on the site, which would not be affected by the development.

In their objection, Councillors Bell and Simson shared their concerns for wildlife on the site and overdevelopment.

They said: “This application has already contravened Brighton and Hove’s Local Plan that states “must seek to retain existing trees and hedgerow” by felling the trees and clearing the land despite objections and concerns raised at the time by local councillors and residents, thus devastating a site that was previously full of trees and an important wildlife habitat.

“This application is clearly an overdevelopment of the site. Deans Close is a small close of approximately 21 properties, all of which are individual in design.

“A terrace of houses, such as those proposed, would be out of keeping with the surrounding area and have a detrimental effect on the street scene.”

The application says there are examples of backland development in the area, where houses are built on former back gardens.

Pre-application consultation with council planning officers resulted in a reduction in the number of homes on the site and a “green buffer” to the northwest of the site.

The Planning Committee meets at Hove Town Hall at 2pm on Wednesday 6 July. The meeting is scheduled for webcast on the council website.

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