ECE Planning

✍️ Lewes Local Plan Consultation – Final Submissions In!   It’s been a busy time in the ECE Planning office as we’ve been working hard on the Lewes Local Plan consultation, which closes this week. We’ve prepared a range of detailed representations on behalf of our clients, promoting sites across the district and making the case for sustainable development. A huge effort from the team to ensure well-evidenced, policy-driven submissions that support our clients’ ambitions.   We’ll continue to monitor the plan’s progress and explore further opportunities as the process moves forward.   If you’d like to discuss planning strategy for your land interests, now is the time to get in touch.   #Planning #LewesLocalPlan #SitePromotion #SustainableDevelopment #ECEPlanning

Planning Success for Affordable Homes in Gravesend! ECE Planning, working with Helix Group on behalf of The Hyde Group, has secured full planning permission for a 100% affordable housing scheme at Land to the West of Nursery Mews, Gravesend, Kent. Making a highly efficient use of a brownfield site, the development will deliver: 🏡 6 affordable homes (4 x two-bedroom houses and 2 x one-bedroom apartments) 🚶 Improved pedestrian and cycle connections with new emergency access 🌳 Enhanced landscaping and biodiversity net gain ⚡ Sustainable features including EV charging points and air source heat pumps This scheme makes a small but highly valuable contribution to meeting Gravesham Borough Council’s housing needs, delivering much-needed affordable homes on a brownfield site in a highly sustainable location. The inclusion of a new pedestrian and cycle route will reopen a vital connection between Nursery Mews and Cedar Avenue, improving access and connectivity for both existing and future residents, while also enhancing community safety through natural surveillance. A big thank you to all involved, including: Bryn Jones and Holly Yaxley - The Hyde Group Anisha Dhillon; Andy Corp, Richard Pearson and David Jowett - Helix Group Sam Sykes MRTPI and Saskia Lower - ECE Planning Martin Gray; Nick Smith; Luciana Gagliardi and Ioannis (Yannis) Miltiadou - ECE Architecture; David McMurtary - Motion ACJ Ecology Infrastruct Cs Limited Lighting Reality Geo-Integrity Ltd Ginger Landscape AIRO #PlanningSuccess #AffordableHousing #SustainableDevelopment #ECEPlanning #HydeHousing #HelixPartnershipHomes

ECE Planning are very pleased to have received resolution to grant planning permission for the Crawley Station Gateway development, on behalf of Crawley Borough Council. ECE Planning Director Huw James spoke in favour of the scheme at the Council’s Planning Committee, who unanimously backed the proposals for a new bus station, highways and public realm improvements across Station Way, Friary Way, The Martlets, and Haslett Avenue West in Crawley town centre. As part of the Crawley Growth Programme and supported by the Towns Fund, this project designed by Project Centre, will deliver significant enhancements to the town centre, improving transport connections, public spaces, and overall accessibility. Key improvements include: 🚶♂️ Reconfiguring Station Way into a more pedestrian, cyclist, and bus-friendly gateway. 🚌 Upgrading Friary Way’s bus station with a central island and 11 bus stops for better passenger flow. 🌳 Enhancing The Martlets with new surfacing, trees, and street furniture to create a welcoming public space. 🚲 Improving Haslett Avenue West with wider pavements and better transport coordination. ⚡ Introducing a 20mph zone and optimised traffic signals for improved safety. This approval is an important step towards delivering a more connected, accessible, and sustainable town centre for Crawley. Congratulations and thanks to all stakeholders and consultants involved including, Crawley Borough Council – Colin Eves & Dale Fincham Project Centre Ltd – Rhys Hutchings & Ben Meekings ECE Planning – Huw James & Saskia Lower Metrobus West Sussex County Council Phlorum CHALLICE CONSULTING LTD PCA HERITAGE LIMITED

Appeal Success: 170 Homes Approved in Yapton!   We are pleased to share that the Planning Inspectorate has allowed the appeal for 170 new homes at Land West of Bilsham Lane, Yapton, overturning a Planning Committee refusal from Arun District Council.   At the appeal hearing in December, Sam Sykes MRTPI from ECE Planning alongside our client Anna Harper successfully gave evidence persuading the Inspector of the scheme acceptability.   The decision acknowledges that, although the site is located outside the Built-Up Area Boundary and conflicts with both paragraph 14 of the National Planning Policy Framework and the Yapton Neighbourhood Plan, these policy conflicts are outweighed by the acute housing need, the site’s sustainable location, and acceptable design of the proposal. The Inspector concluded that the development, which includes affordable housing, open space, and biodiversity enhancements, represents a logical extension to Yapton while maintaining its rural character. A special thank you to Tom Graham at Odyssey for last minute drainage input, Megan Smith MRTPI at ECE Planning for expert assistance on the day and the wider team at the planning application stage, including:   Paul Fender, Martin Gray and Stefan Munteanu, ECE Architecture Neil Tully, Neil Tully Charlie Gilmartin, Redwood Consulting Sue Rankin, Hillside Trees Phil Bell and Ellie Upton, Motion Ryan Morton and Priscilla Chan, Hydrock, now Stantec Toby Walton, RBA Acoustics Ltd Derek Finnie, Derek Finnie Associates Martin Weil, Leap Environmental Sophie Emerson, Trowers & Hamlins Tom Graham, Odyssey Consult LLP Sam Sykes MRTPI, Megan Smith MRTPI and Chris Barker MRTPI   #PlanningAppeal, #PlanningPermission.

It’s been a busy week at ECE Planning, as we submitted multiple representations for Brighton & Hove City Council's Key Issues Consultation and Call for Sites. These representations total over 1,500 homes and a significant amount of commercial floorspace, and can provide a significant step towards addressing the City’s identified needs. We are delighted to support our clients in shaping the future of Brighton and Hove. We are looking forward to further engagement with Brighton & Hove Council as the Plan progresses.

ECE Planning is pleased to announce that the Mid Sussex Planning Committee has voted to approve a residential development for 50 new homes at Hanlye Lane, Cuckfield.   Working for our client Sigma Homes Group alongside ECE Architecture the approved development represents a thoughtful, landscape-led scheme providing much needed, high-quality housing within the District. The application site is allocated within the Mid Sussex Site Allocations DPD for up to 55 dwellings at the settlement edge of Cuckfield. Working alongside Mid Sussex Council, the approved scheme represents a commitment to enhancing the natural environment, with notable features including: 🌳 Extensive Green Infrastructure – A central 'Green Spine' with tree planting, natural play areas, and pathways to connect people and nature while boosting biodiversity. 🌿 Sensitive Design – Buffer zones around significant trees, preservation of ancient woodland, and new native planting to protect and enhance local habitats. 🏞️ Respect for Scenic Views – Retention of key views toward the South Downs and careful integration into the character of the surrounding area.   Additionally, the project includes improved footpaths and cycleways, enhancing connectivity within the village and surrounding countryside, while leaving the southern portion of the site undeveloped for recreation and habitat protection. This approval showcases high-quality design alongside the natural environment and provides meaningful community benefits. A huge congratulations to all involved. ECE Planning (Megan Smith MRTPI and Chris Barker MRTPI), ECE Architecture (Jennifer Yon (Robertson) and Adam King), Scott Webster, C80 Solutions Ltd, John-Paul Friend, Urban Edge Environmental Consulting Ltd, Acoustic Associates Sussex Ltd Trading as Acoustic South East, Paul Basham Associates, MDJ Arboricultural Consultancy Ltd, RPS and Leap Environmental #PlanningApproval #SustainableDevelopment #LandscapeLedDesign #Cuckfield

Really proud to have been involved with this application and to receive unanimous approval. The proposals were well received at the public exhibition event earlier in the year, ultimately sailing through the application process with no amends. Looking forward to seeing this one complete!

The ECE Planning team had the pleasure of visiting the Brighton Hippodrome yesterday to see the progress on building and restoration works including the beautifully restored ceiling. A big thank you to our client Simon Lambor for showing us around and sharing insights with the team about the history and the exciting future for the building. We are excited to see these plans come to life and looking forward to witnessing the full transformation. It was a very enjoyable team outing, perfectly rounded off with a few drinks afterwards!

We are very excited to welcome Paul Carnell to the ECE Planning team as an Associate Planner.   With extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our projects.   We look forward to seeing the positive impact of his diverse skillset across our exciting portfolio of work.

Working with our clients, Elivia Homes, we are happy to announce that ECE Planning has successfully secured permission for 83 dwellings in Plumpton Green. Key considerations included landscape impact, building heights, ecology and highways. Our team at ECE Planning played an essential role in obtaining a delegated decision from Lewes District Council, carefully managing the application process from start to finish.  We actively participated in public consultations, ensuring that community feedback was both considered and incorporated, while expertly guiding the application through the determination process. A special thank you goes out to all the consultants involved in this project. ECE Planning – Sam Sykes MRTPI and Saskia Lower ECE Architecture – Adam King and Nick Francis fabrik – Laura Cox, Jennifer Beckett and Andrew Smith i-Transport – Dominic Smith and Lucy Jardine The Ecology Co-op – Joshua Harwood Simpson TWS - Lawrence Keeling and Harry Everett If you have any projects in Lewes or the surrounding areas, don't hesitate to reach out to the ECE Planning team. #ECEPlanning #EliviaHomes #PlanningPermission