Plans for 75 Southgate flats to replace offices

East Street Homes is looking for permission to redevelop the Zurich House site in East Park, which is on the other side of the railway line from Crawley Railway Station.

Previous consent for 59 flats approved by Crawley Borough Council back in 2013 has expired.

The new application retains the trees to the front of the site, includes 42 car parking spaces, with building heights ranging from three to six storeys.

The developer has argued that the scheme is not able to deliver any affordable housing, which is supported by a viability appraisal.

According to the application: “As a prominent regional developer, East Street Homes aspires to create attractive, sustainable places that will stand the test of time.

“The company’s objective is to create new developments which make a positive contribution to the existing setting - places in which future occupants are able to integrate into the existing wider community.

“We are therefore proud to present this development for your consideration, which will provide 75 new homes.

“The development has been planned positively in order to embody high quality and inclusive design, following a considered appraisal of the identity of Crawley and the site’s setting, and will provide a carefully designed building with a landscaped frontage and parking areas which successfully manages the transition between the domestic scale and the multi-storey scale neighbours.

“The proposed new building follows a contemporary design approach which increases the degree of separation from neighbouring properties when compared to the previously approved building.

“In light of the significant unmet housing need in the borough, the accessibility and sustainability of the site means that it is considered that there is scope to provide additional dwellings at the site.”

Planning permission to redevelop Overline House to the north has already been granted by the council, while the Longley House site to the east is also allocated for residential development.

To comment visit www.crawley.gov.uk/planning using code CR/2017/0180/FUL.

What do you think? Comment below or email the newsdesk.

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