There are now only days until the show-down between the Council and McCarthy and Stone, the aggressive developer who has ignored the views of hundreds of local people and is trying to push through plans to demolish 5 homes in the Old London Road and replace them and their gardens with a large 3 storey block of 44 retirement flats and a car park. 350 people have written to object against the plans, whereas only 8 wrote in favour. There have been over 7,400 visits to the website www.protectpatcham.co.uk set up by local residents to object to the plans.

After the Council’s Planning Committee unanimously turned down the plans, McCarthy and Stone have now taken their case to the Planning Inspectorate which is the central government body that hears appeals against local planning decisions. A public inquiry, expected to last 4 days, is starting at 10 am on Tuesday 13th June 2017 at The Council Chamber, Brighton Town Hall, Bartholomew Square, Brighton BN1 1JA.

The format of the inquiry is similar to a court case. The Planning inspector is like a judge and will listen to the representations of the Council and the developer who will both be calling expert witnesses to support their case. Wherever possible the inspector will permit other interested parties to speak. In order to get a speaking slot, you have to register your request to speak with the Inspector by attending in person at the start of the inquiry. The inspector will advise when your speaking slot will be (it could be a day or so later).

The Council has strong arguments against the development including:

1. The development has not adequately taken the flood risk on the development site into account, and it would add vulnerable people to an area with a significant history of groundwater flooding. (In 2001, residents could not use their own toilets and portaloos were brought in. Raw sewage flowed down the road when the drains overflowed).
2. The development is inappropriate for the character and appearance of the street scene. (The Planning Inspectorate last year turned down an appeal by McCarthy and Stone to build a block of flats in nearby Horsham because ‘the proposed development is simply too tall and dominant for its setting’.)
3. The developer has not committed to paying the requested developer financial contributions. (McCarthy and Stone would make a lot of money from the flats: in April, the developer published their half year results which showed income of £238 million and profit of £22 million. In January, the Chief Executive gave McCarthy and Stone shares worth over £1 million that he owned to his wife.)

What you can do

We want to show the Inspector the strength of local feeling against this development: Turn up at 10am at the start of the inquiry on 13 June to show you care about Patcham and do not want it spoilt

Speak at the inquiry against the development to explain why you object Come along to observe as much of the inquiry as possible Typically the Inspector announces their decision 10 weeks after the inquiry so we should know the outcome by late August 2017.

www.protectpatcham.co.uk alistair.elliott1@ntlworld.com www.protectpatcham.co.uk alistair.elliott1@ntlworld.com