Agenda item - BH2025/02480 - 104 Cowley Drive, Brighton - Full Planning

1.    The Planning Manager introduced the application to the committee.

Speakers

2. Ward Councillor Allen addressed the committee and stated that the Toby Inn had closed in 2006, and the site has been vacant since. The proposed new social housing will be good, giving homes to some of the 2,000 and more in temporary accommodation. The committee were asked how they could turn down the development which the councillor supported. The brownfield site has been redundant for two decades. The committee were asked to support the application.

Answers to Committee Members Questions

3. Councillor Theobald was informed that the proposed gardens were not very large, approximately 4 x 6.5m and all units have some outside space. The proposals are higher than the existing pub building, but they located in a different area of the site, in the northwest corner, a suitable distance from the existing neighbouring properties.

4. Councillor Robinson was informed that no parking survey had been undertaken and there five parking spaces were proposed. The layout of the parking would be agreed by condition, and no objections had been received from the Highways team. It was noted that there would be the need for an access ramp to the east of the building for step free access and across the site there was a drop in levels of 1.5m.

5. Councillor Shanks was informed by the agent that the re-use of the existing building was not possible, the position of the pub would allow only limited accommodation.

6. Councillor Pickett was informed that there was one unit proposed for wheelchair accessibility. There is no clear or quick link from the car park to the unit. The access is to be agreed and condition 17 states that: ‘No development shall commence on site until a Scheme of Management of vehicle and any other forms of parking and stopping in the car park area has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority’. Informative four states: ‘The applicant is advised under Part S of the Building Regulations that new dwellings providing a parking space now require an EV charging point’. The bio-diversity net gain will not relate to on street trees; however, it will be in the local area. The trees on the street are to be protected by condition.

7. Councillor Thomson was informed that car parking would be located in the southeast of the site and the accessible unit in the northwest block of the development. The access will not be level, however, it will be step free. On street parking may be possible; however, there are several junctions converging near the site. The agent confirmed they would prefer parking closer to the accessible unit and there were double yellow lines on the street next to the site.

Debate

8. Councillor Nann was in favour of the application and supported it.

9. Councillor Cattell considered that access issues needed to be overcome. The design was very good, and the affordable homes were welcomed. The councillor supported the application.

10. Councillor Theobald considered the loss of the pub to be sad there were not enough parking spaces. In 2025 permission was granted for five family homes, and this would have been better as they would have bigger gardens and would be in keeping with the character of the existing homes in the area.

11. Councillor Winder considered it was good to have new homes, and more landscaping would have been better. New homes are needed; therefore, the councillor supported the application.

12. Councillor Pickett considered the proposals to be good with no overlooking, well designed, on a bus route, with bat and bee boxes and hedgehog homes. The councillor supported the application.

13. Councillor Robinson considered the homes were needed. The gardens were not great, and they were much needed. The councillor supported the application.

14. Councillor Shanks considered the scheme to be great and supported the application.

15. Councillor Sheard considered if a scheme could not be built here, then where? The gardens are small; however, the development is close to the South Downs National Park. The existing building is empty, and the proposals make good use of the site.

16. Councillor Fishleigh noted there were double yellow lines all around the site and they felt sorry for residents regarding the parking.

17. Councillor Thomson considered the development a good mix.

Vote

18. A vote was held and by 9 to 1, the committee agreed to grant planning permission.

19. RESOLVED: That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in the report and resolves to GRANT subject to the Conditions and Informatives as set out in the report.