Objections to Sovereign Harbour car park extension plans

Premier Marinas wants permission to extend the Waterfront Car Park next to the retail park.

The proposal would create an extra 60 spaces, remove an existing soft landscaping area to the south-west of the site and replace this with a new brick planters.

The extended part of the car park would also be used for seasonal boat storage.

A decision is set to made by Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning committee on Tuesday (July 21).

The Sovereign Harbour Residents Association feels there is a risk that car park users may seek to create an unofficial access between Pevensey Bay Road and Harbour Quay.

Although the present plans show no present intention to do that the association says it is clear the extension is next to a level with the existing highway opening visibility splay at Harbour Quay.

The group also said it had been unable to obtain clarity about when the land will be used as a boat store and when it will be used as a car park.

A total of 30 objections were also received raising concerns about noise, privacy, light pollution, visual harm, increase the ‘concrete jungle’ and encourage nuisance.

According to council planning officers access for boats will be via Harbour Quay and when the car park is being used as boat storage a removal fence will be placed around the area.

Their report said: “It is considered that the proposed change of use and extension to the existing car parking area by removal of existing landscaping would not give rise to a material loss of residential amenity.

“It is accepted that the use as seasonal boat storage will give rise to some additional noise in the area however the location of the proposal is in close proximity to the boat storage adjacent to the harbour waters, any additional noise is considered to be in line with existing noise generated and deemed to be acceptable.

“It is not considered that the proposal will impact on the privacy of the surrounding occupiers.”

Officers are recommending approval subject to conditions.

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