Plans to redevelop former Crawley ambulance station site

The application for the site in Ifield Avenue has been recommended for approval and a decision will be made by the planning committee on Monday (April 26).

Submitted by TKEI (Crawley) Ltd, the plans are for a C-shaped block made up of two one-bedroom and 37 two-bedroom flats, 12 of which would be classed as affordable.

The block will be staggered from three-six storeys with a central courtyard.

Two sections of solar panels are proposed and there will be parking for 22 cars, six of which would include charging points for electric vehicles.

There will be internal space for 36 bicycles.

The council received seven letters about the plans – including one from the neighbouring Crawley Horticultural Society which raised concerns about the low number of parking spaces.

Other concerns centred on the loss of trees, the impact the block would have on residents living nearby and the level of traffic.

it was pointed out by some that traffic regularly tails back along Ifield Avenue to the A23 roundabout and that, when the site was used by ambulances, they would have problems turning right from the site. 

A report to the committee said the loss of trees was ‘unfortunate’ but added that a ‘significant replanting and ecological enhancement scheme’ had been proposed.

The report added: “The scheme would make a positive windfall contribution towards Crawley’s general and affordable housing needs.

“The proposal is of high design quality and would significantly enhance the appearance of the site from Ifield Avenue.

“The building would have no significant impact upon

neighbouring properties.”

To view the applications in full, log on to planningregister.crawley.gov.uk and search for CR/2020/0274/FUL.

The planning meeting will be webcast on Monday, starting at 7pm. Log on to democracy.crawley.gov.uk and search for the agenda under ‘committees’. It will include a link to the webcast.