August 10 2011 


Residents are outraged after the Planning Inspectorate allowed the last seafront pub in Seaford to be turned into flats, after the developer McCarthy & Stone was initially refused planning permission.

The Beachcomber pub will be demolished, along with several other buildings on the site in Dane Road. The scheme includes 51 extra care apartments for the elderly and a building with ten age restricted apartments for affordable housing.

Town council leader Ian White said: "In my opinion this development will do nothing to enhance the seafront scene. I am also particularly concerned about the effects on healthcare services within the town that will inevitably result from a development of 61 properties for elderly residents."

Jim Skinner from Seaford Community Partnership said: "Despite a very clear and consistent rejection of this application appeal by a whole raft of local people, the local town council and Lewes District Council, and all for well and clearly stated reasons, McCarthy and Stone have succeeded at their second attempt.

A spokesperson for McCarthy and Stone said: "McCarthy & Stone is naturally very happy that the inspector has allowed the appeal enabling it to move forward with its proposed development of the site for assisted living apartments and affordable housing. It is disappointed though that it had to take its proposals to a planning appeal as it had addressed the concerns of a previous planning inspector and given that the scheme brings with it so many benefits."

The planning inspector said the scheme would not unacceptably dominate the immediate vicinity, adding there was no policy to keep food and drink facilities and said there was nothing put forward to suggest another outlet set up on the seafront would not be successful.