Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven will tomorrow meet the developers of a new controversial housing development planned in the Rottingdean, Ovingdean and Woodingdean area.
All three locations are sited within Mr Kirby’s, Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven constituency.
The developers, Lightwood Strategic are intending to build a substancial number of homes at Meadow Vale.
Simon said: “I am receiving a huge amount of correspondence from constituents about Lightwood Strategic’s proposals and I will be sure to use this meeting to raise my concerns, and those of my constituents, with the company. Almost 1,000 local residents have already filled out my survey on this issue and I am receiving many more every day.
“Concerns frequently being raised include the threat to the village nature of the areas involved, the potential strain on local services such as GP surgeries and infrastructure, with the Falmer Road already being incredibly busy and long tailbacks often already a problem at the Woodingdean crossroads.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity of raising these points in person with the developers. I will also be keen to receive feedback from the public exhibitions running later this week.”
Commenting on the possible development, Nancy Platts, Labour parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, said: “Local people are contacting me with valid concerns about the proposed housing development at Meadow Vale and I will be meeting with them to hear their views in more detail as well as visiting the exhibition this evening (Tuesday March 11).
“If this proposal goes ahead then it needs to involve a range of housing, including low-cost homes for young families, better health facilities and the expansion of local primary schools. However; I am concerned about the impact upon children getting to Longhill High School as The Vale is the access road to the school and this is likely to be affected by the development.”
She added: “A green gap has to be respected locally as it provides a vital link between Balsdean and Beacon Hill and Roedean, forming part of the South Downs National Park. Another area of concern is the extra pressure on the Falmer Road and Rottingdean High Street where traffic levels are already too high. This starts to raise the question whether the time has come for a Woodingdean by-pass.”
“Although I would urge local residents to visit the exhibition to find out more and make their views known, I do not feel that this is sufficiently robust as a consultation process in itself. I am concerned that residents who are not able to attend may miss out on the opportunity to speak to developers about the plans and I would like them to get in touch with me so I can represent their views.”
The public exhibition will take place on Tuesday, March 11 from 5pm – 8pm and Wednesday, March 12 from 4pm – 8pm at the School Canteen, Longhill High School, Falmer Road Rottingdean Brighton BN2 7FR
For more information about the development, CLICK HERE:
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