Update on plans for development in Brighton Road in Shoreham

Shoreham Brighton Road Limited has U-turned on its original plan not to include affordable homes in its scheme for 183 new homes on the Frosts4cars.co.uk site on Brighton Road in Shoreham.

In its original planning application in August last year, the company was not going to allocate a proportion of the homes to be “affordable” because, despite recognising a high level of need for housing and increasing prices, it said it “would not be financially viable to provide affordable housing” due to the cost of construction.

Plans have been updated for the development in Brighton Road, Shoreham

However, in July, the company submitted amended plans that would see at least 30 per cent of the development comprised of affordable homes.

• Read more: First look at plans for 183 new flats - what do you think of the designs?

This would mean at least 55 homes, with a tenure split of 25 per cent shared ownership and 75 per cent rented accommodation.

According to planning documents, the combined factors of new access to grants from Homes England, following discussions with a housing association, coupled with the “reduction in the risk for the developer”, would help the project to “remain financially viable”, while also providing the level of affordable housing sought by the local authority.

The development will also see the creation of eight new commercial units, new flood defences, a new walking route along the edge of the River Adur and north to south through the site.

An artist's impression of the development

People have now been urged to have their say on the proposals after Adur District Council spoke to the developer to extend the public consultation period and increase the number of public open days than had been first proposed.

People can have their say until September 12, prior to the development being considered by the council’s planning committee in the autumn.

Councillor Steve Neocleous, Adur District Council's cabinet member for regeneration, said: “This is an important site, and we want to hear from as many people as possible on the plans.

"We have a desperate shortage of homes but we realise that with any new developments we must take into account the impact on local services and the concerns residents will have around extra traffic.

The Frosts4cars.co.uk site Picture: Adur District Council

“The developers are working closely with the council to ensure as many people can have their say, so I strongly urge everyone to take a look at the plans which are available to view at the Shoreham Centre and let us - the council - know what they think.”

The exhibition of the scheme is on display at the Shoreham Centre foyer and is open Monday to Thursday from 9pm till 8pm and on Fridays from 9am till 6pm.

Shoreham Brighton Road Limited and its representatives will have representatives at the Shoreham Centre between 4pm and 8pm on Wednesday, August 31 and Thursday, September 8 to answer questions.

The council is writing to anyone who has previously made comments on the scheme but also wants to hear the views of the wider community, including residents’ groups, before making a final decision on the application.