An “excessive” disabled access ramp has drawn complains from Hangleton neighbours who are angry about the loss of green space in front of their homes.
Brighton and Hove City council built the ramp in front of a house in Clarke Avenue in May last year without planning permission.
But after complaints a retrospective application was made in October which will now go before the council’s Planning Committee tomorrow (Wednesday 6 February).
One neighbour objecting to the ramp, whose details have been redacted on the planning portal, described it as “over and above what is required”.
The neighbour said: “The front of the properties in Clarke Avenue is a green area and part of this has now been lost, as well as dividing the green area.
“I have tried on several occasions to purchase or lease the area outside my property to make a hard standing for my cars but this has always been rejected by the council as it would affect the rest of the area.”
Another neighbour, whose name is also redacted, described the ramp has harming the street scene.
The neighbour said: “The application is scant in detail as to why this particular design and size of ramp is considered necessary in this case.
“No justification has been put forward by the council’s housing team for this.
“There has been no balancing exercise by the council to assess the needs of the resident … against our rights as the adjoining landowners and the rights of other neighbours.”
Hangleton and Knoll Conservative councillor Dawn Barnett backs the neighbours.
She said: “I would like to stress that I am fully supportive of measures to help those with disabilities. However, I believe the design of the access ramp in question to be much too excessive for what is required to access the property.
“The application lacks clarification as to why this design and size of ramp is considered necessary in this case.”
The Planning Committee is due to discuss the application at Hove Town Hall tomorrow (Wednesday 6 February). The meeting, which starts at 2pm, is open to the public.
