Eastbourne car park could be demolished for 101 flats

Developers Elstree Land have submitted plans to Eastbourne Borough Council to build 101 flats within a new five-storey building on the site of the vacant JCP car park in Junction Road, Eastbourne.

The company says the “underutilised” site has fallen into disrepair and the development would “enhance” the area.

The car park contained about 1,015 spaces and has been closed for several years.

“In developing this site, Elstree Land is seeking to create a new environment which enhances both the landscape and the built character of the neighbourhood, delivering sustainable development for Eastbourne,” the plan’s design and access statement said.

“The development will provide attractive open space opportunities for enjoyment, recreation and play, which respond to local need, as well as enhancing biodiversity on the site where possible.

“The layout has been designed to promote sustainable modes of transport by ensuring that alternative options are convenient, attractive and safe, and by ensuring that the development is accessible, well overlooked and inviting to people of all abilities, ages and cultural groups.”

Developers say the car park is in disrepair (Image: Google Maps)

If approved, the block of flats will be comprised of 27 one-bedroom homes, 64 two-bedroom homes and ten three-bedroom homes.

There will be 60 unallocated car parking spaces provided and one cycle parking space per bedroom.

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The developer said data confirmed 60 spaces will meet the residential demand.

Access will be from Junction Road.

A landscaped courtyard will be created in the heart of the development and there will be semi-private patios for most ground-floor apartments and balconies for upper-floor apartments.

Five homes will be designed so they can be “easily” altered for a wheelchair user.

It is also proposed that the height of the new “statement” building will be less than the current structure.

“The main roof structure of the proposed building is 1.65m shorter than the existing one on the southern point and 3m on the northern point,” said planning documents.

“This reduction in scale and mass in the proposed building will help provide a more domesticated streetscape by integrating the site into the wider residential neighbourhood.”