Patcham councillors have urged retirement homes business McCarthy and Stone to “call it a day” after a government planning inspector threw out the firm’s latest scheme.
They joined neighbours in welcoming the result of McCarthy and Stone’s planning appeal – with a retirement complex containing 44 flats being rejected for being too “dominant and overbearing”.
Geoffrey Theobald, who represents Patcham Ward on Brighton and Hove City Council, has made numerous objections to the proposal and was a witness at the appeal.
Councillor Theobald said: “This is a victory for common sense and a victory for the residents of Patcham.
“Everybody has fought hard over the years to prevent this development that would have completely ruined the essence of the village.
“I can’t thank the campaigners and residents enough for their effort and contribution in achieving this outcome.”
Fellow Patcham councillor Lee Wares sat on the Planning Committee when members voted to refuse planning permission for McCarthy and Stone’s scheme.
Councillor Wares said: “I’m delighted that the inspector concurred with the committee that unanimously voted against the proposal.
“I’m delighted for residents who have had the worry of this development for years and I hope that McCarthy and Stone now call it a day.
“I can’t think of a worse location for the development that simply had no sympathetic thought given to the character and way of life in Patcham village.”
The planning inspector, Katie Child, said in her report: “I consider that the proposed building would, by virtue of a combination of its scale, density, massing and width, be a dominant and overbearing feature that would detract from the attractive suburban character of this part of Old London Road.
“The proposed frontage roof profile would be incongruous in appearance and fail to respect local character and, notwithstanding its varied profile, overall would contribute to the prominence of the building.
“I consider that the proposed development would cause significant harm to the character and appearance of the area.”
The leading campaigner against the scheme, Alistair Elliott, said: “The past 18 months has taught me how much the people of Patcham love Patcham.
“They love the atmosphere, environment and community spirit in Patcham.
“This community spirit has been demonstrated by the hundreds of people who took the trouble to write to the council to object to this development.
“This was the wrong building in the wrong place and I have been inundated with emails and calls from people who are so relieved that the place they love has been saved.”
