Campaigners call on residents to fight developers' appeal to build 140 houses at Kings Drive

1.08.30pm GMT Tue 3rd Feb 2009

Developers George Wimpey have lodged a last minute appeal against Eastbourne Council's decision to refuse them planning permission to build 140 houses on the field at Kings Drive.

Eastbourne's Councillors refused to give Wimpey planning in July last year, saying the building of 140 houses would severely worsen the traffic situation around the Kings Drive and Rodmill roundabout area. The Councillors also said the development would negatively impact the street scene of the area.

Local resident and Lib Dem campaigner Pat Rodohan, who fought with residents and local Councillors to stop the housing, commented, "People are rightly angry that Wimpey waited until the last possible moment to start their appeal. The developers delayed putting in their appeal until just a day before their six month deadline was up."

"We must all now work together once again to stop the developers from building the houses here on Kings Drive. Such a development is just plain wrong for our area and must be stopped."

Rodmill resident and Lib Dem campaigner Nicola Grover, who also campaigned to stop the housing development, added, "During my research last year into the field near Kings Drive, I discovered the extensive protected wildlife and important archaeology that exists in the land known as 'Pococks field'."

In Nicola's battle to help protect the site she submitted an application to English Heritage to have the site scheduled under the Ancient Monuments Act. The application is still being considered. Nicola has informed English Heritage of the appeal, and commented that, "with developers Wimpey now making an appeal, the field is once again under threat. I urge English Heritage to speed up the process, so this untouched and important archaeological site can be protected from the property developers. It is vital that this site is protected."

Residents can make their comments to the planning inspector in writing by 25th February, 2009. All letters should be sent to: The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/21, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN, quoting application number APP/T1410/A/09/2094153/NWF.