PLANNERS have approved “phase zero” of a controversial housing development.

Some 700 homes are proposed in Lower Willingdon on the outskirts of Eastbourne.

Wealden District Council’s planning committee granted reserved matters permission to an application connected to the Mornings Mill development.  Developer Tarn Homes had been seeking permission to build out a spine road and other infrastructure, described as “phase zero” of the wider housing scheme. The houses and other facilities are set to follow in future applications.

It was recommended for approval but objections had been raised by Polegate Town Council and Willingdon and Jevington Parish Council.

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Willingdon and Jevington councillor Ian Nisbet set out the parish council’s fears about the phasing of the scheme, saying it risked some elements being lost.

Cllr Nisbet said: “We well understand the need for phasing such a large development but remain very concerned that phasing may leave some of the infrastructure expected until after the housing development has been completed and then possibly not at all.  “You will be aware of the debacle at Hindsland when the inspector decided, against our proposals, that housing was more important than the provision of a new medical centre, which has left residents without proper and timely primary healthcare.  “We say it is unacceptable that you may be moving ahead without ensuring that the medical centre comes forward without any further delay.”

Both councils had also raised concerns about the adequacy of the drainage measures proposed, although these were considered to be appropriate by East Sussex County Council, the lead local flood authority.

Concerns were also raised about which wards the development was based in. Lower Willingdon councillor Stephen Shing pointed out that meeting papers listed the scheme as being within the Polegate South and Willingdon ward without noting its dual location. Cllr Shing argued this meant the scheme should not be determined due to a ‘legal error’, although this was disputed by officers.

The overall scheme has been controversial for some time, with its original application, considered by Wealden District Council in 2021,  generating more than 800 letters of objection.