Councillors welcome major Ropetackle housing plans

The first phase of development of the Ropetackle North site, in Old Shoreham Road, was unanimously endorsed by Adur District Council’s planning committee on Tuesday.

Minor tweaks will be made to conditions to be followed by developer Hyde before approval of the £30million scheme is rubber stamped.

Councillor Brian Boggis, cabinet member for regeneration, said the plans represented around 66 per cent of Adur’s annual housing need.

He said: “Adur has a dire problem with housing needs at the present time. I think this is looking to be a first-class development and there has been significant consultation with the developers over the past 12 months to bring it into line with what we would like to see.”

The plans also included provision of a retail unit, café and gallery space.

Other benefits include a commitment by Hyde to fund a pedestrian crossing on Old Shoreham Road, following long-standing calls to improve safety by residents and Swiss Gardens Primary School.

The second phase of development should include office space and a hotel.

The first phase will include at least 22 per cent affordable housing.

This figure could be increased, as work by the Environment Agency on the Adur Tidal Walls flood defence scheme eliminates the need for the developer to pay for part of the works.

Concerns were raised by the Shoreham Society over height of proposed blocks – reaching a maximum of seven storeys.

Speaking after the meeting, society member Gerry Thompson said: “It was disappointing that an extra storey was added to one block between outline and detailed approval stages.

“We were glad to raise the question of how much affordable housing is to be included in the scheme. We would like it to reach the recommended government minimum of 30 per cent before permission is finalised.”