April 11, 2012
Sovereign Harbour has moved a significant step closer to seeing the delivery of the community facilities it currently lacks.
In a series of workshops led by Stephen Lloyd MP, the Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, David Tutt, Opposition Leader, David Elkin, together with the ward councillors and Sovereign Harbour Residents Association (SHRA), a plan for the future of each of the remaining development sites has been prepared. Once the Draft Plan has been considered by the council’s cabinet committee, local residents will be asked for their views.
The draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for Sovereign Harbour provides guidance on the uses considered to be appropriate for each of the development sites, including details of the size, scale and form of development and the specific community benefits to be delivered.
Stephen Lloyd MP said:
“A great many people have worked tirelessly to get to this point. I’m deeply grateful for their dedication and commitment to achieving the best possible result for Sovereign Harbour and all the people who live there. I am particularly indebted to the SHRA executives who have been so supportive of the vision we all share for the harbour.”
Sovereign Harbour currently lacks a dedicated community centre and the SPD acknowledges that this needs to be deliveredbefore there is any further housing development.
Councillor David Tutt, Leader of the Council, said:
“The plans that have been created by the working group will lead to invaluable new community facilities and all round enhancements to the quality of life for residents of Sovereign Harbour.”
Other issues that the SPD will address include the lack of open space and children’s play areas, the provision of additional retail, leisure and employment uses, accessibility across the neighbourhood via a range of transport methods and the operational needs of the fishermen and boats.
Councillor David Elkin, Leader of the Opposition, said: “I am pleased that we are now finally making genuinely positive progress on the plans.”
In order to deliver the community benefits that the neighbourhood needs, it is acknowledged that some additional housing will be provided. However, this would be a maximum of 150 dwellings and the majority of these would be houses rather than flats.
Rick Runalls, Chairman of the SHRA said:
“This process has demonstrated the benefits that cross-party working can deliver for the community, and has provided a framework for the future relationship between the SHRA and the Borough Council.”
The next stage is for the draft document to go before Cabinet, which is planned for 18 April with consultation on the draft SPD planned to take place between May and July this year. Further information relating to the document and the consultation arrangements are available on the council's website at www.eastbourne.gov.uk and on SHRA’s website at www.shra.co.uk.
