Plans to build 125 homes on greenfield land in Mile Oak have won official backing as councillors are urged to give their approval too to an outline scheme at a meeting next week.
But more than 360 people have objected to the plans by Crest Nicholson to build on the site off Overdown Rise and Mile Oak Road, Portslade.
North Portslade ward councillor Peter Atkinson has added his voice to the objectors and written to Brighton and Hove City Council.
Councillor Atkinson said that there were “major concerns around an increase in traffic and an inability of the local road infrastructure to cope with this, particularly Fox Way”.
He also highlighted concerns about “the capacity of Mile Oak Medical Centre to cope with the extra demand generated by 300-plus mor residents”.
He flagged up “the capacity of Mile Oak Primary School to cope with the extra pupil intake”.
And, as well as the increased risk of flooding, he said that there were objections to “the loss of a local natural and wildlife habitat” on the 22-acre site.
He hopes to spell out residents’ concerns and objections when the plans come before the council’s Planning Committee at Hove Town Hall next Wednesday (12 April).
A report recommending the scheme to councillors said: “Buildings are intended to be two storeys in height with a mix of one-bed flats up to four-bed semi and detached houses, 40 per cent of which will be ‘affordable’.”
In addition to 369 objections, the council said: “Twenty one letters have been received from residents in the vicinity of the site.”
They said that housing, especially affordable housing, was desperately needed but must come with the necessary infrastructure, particularly the roads – and that traffic calming measures were needed.
The council added: “Two letters have been received from residents in the vicinity of the site, supporting the proposed development.”
They were “pleased to see new housing, given the number of homeless and those in temporary accommodation”.
If the scheme is given outline planning permission – with many of the details subject to separate approval – Crest Nicholson will be asked to pay a “developer contribution”.
The payment, also known as “section 106” money, will total more than £1.5 million and will go towards the cost of school places, “pedestrian and public transport infrastructure improvements” and sport and open spaces.
The scheme is expected to include parking for 157 cars and 192 bicycles. There would be 40 visitor parking spaces and 12 disabled bays.
Not all of the land will be built over. Some of it will be “retained and enhanced” as part of the existing Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) and informal open space.
The allotments currently on the site will be left untouched as will the small wood at the east of the site which is home to owls.
Although Councillor Atkinson has opposed the scheme, his fellow North Portslade ward councillor Gilbey is deputy chair of the council’s Planning Committee. She is expected to keep an open mind and remain neutral until the application is decided.
