JAYNIC Properties Limited has submitted an outline planning application for a scheme of up to 238 homes on the redundant site of the former Newlands School, off Eastbourne Road, Seaford, East Sussex.
The planning application has been lodged with Lewes District Council and will provide much needed new housing, ranging from starter homes to larger family houses. The scheme will be sympathetically developed to reflect the existing character of the area and will also include up to 40% affordable homes, in accordance with Lewes DC and national planning policy requirements.
The Newlands School building was constructed in the early 20th century and, whilst it is unlisted, it will be retained, having been recognised for its local importance. The building will be converted into apartments and incorporated into the development proposals for the wider site.
The landscaping on site will be designed to respect and retain the setting of the Newlands School building and adjoining listed building at Sutton Place. Whilst currently private land, the finished development will incorporate meaningful and useable public open spaces for existing and future residents to use.
It is envisaged that around 50% of the 6.35-hectare site (15.69 acres) is likely to remain green, be it public open space, a new equipped children’s play area, garden space or retained and proposed planting. The proposals also include a new tree-lined boulevard leading up to the former school building, which will frame the building and provide enhanced views from Eastbourne Road.
In addition to the on-site provision of affordable housing, public open space and a play area for use by existing and future residents, considerable financial contributions will be made by the developer through Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments, in support of local facilities and infrastructure. The sum levied will be directed towards new facilities for education, health etc. in Seaford, with the District and Town Councils deciding exactly how the financial contributions will be distributed to existing and new facilities in the area.
The council’s updated 2015 Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment identifies the Newlands site as having potential for housing development.
The development will be highly sustainable being close to Seaford town centre, public transport links, the Downs Leisure Centre, shops, cafes and restaurants. The layout will allow for greater connectivity to the surrounding area through cycle and pedestrian links into the adjoining residential areas.
Also, the proposals will blend sympathetically with the adjacent Grade II listed Sutton Place which has a discrete setting and is defined by the semi-formal parkland it fronts on to, together with the mature tree boundary. This is visually and physically separate from the Newlands School building to the east.
Through working closely with the local community and relevant Council officers/stakeholders, JAYNIC Properties has ensured that the design of the development will create a desirable place for people to live, and one that Seaford can be proud of.
“Our proposals provide an opportunity to create an extremely attractive residential scheme in a wonderful setting. The site is one of the only major sites available in Seaford, with any expansion of the town constrained both by the sea and the surrounding South Downs National Park.
“Our planning application was first prepared, then refined, following extensive discussions with council planning officers, District and Town councillors; and follows a public consultation event at the end of last year where there was a broad consensus in support of the residential development of the site.”
Nic Rumsey – Managing Director JAYNIC Properties Ltd
