Approval for homes plan in city's 'last green lung'

More than 100 homes have been approved in a green space known by residents as Hove's "last green lung", although they currently cannot be built.

Brighton & Hove City Council approved the development at Benfield, just north of Hangleton Lane, on Wednesday.

Before the meeting, the authority said it was unwilling to grant landlord's consent because of a covenant on the land, requiring that its use be restricted to leisure and recreation, but councillors were told this was not a planning consideration when they voted eight to one for the plans.

Developer Hollybrook Homes said the site would have 40% affordable homes, 238 new trees and a new community parkland.

Part of the site was also allocated for housing in an official strategic planning blueprint known as the City Plan after a government planning inspector gave the council little choice but to include a number of "urban fringe" sites across Brighton and Hove, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Residents protested outside Hove Town Hall, citing concerns over the impact on wildlife and taking away green space from people living in the area.

"We're here to voice our opposition to the development due to the impact it will have on the wildlife and ecology, but also the impact on local infrastructure," Helen Forester, founder of the Benfield Valley Project, said.

"It will put pressure on local services, transport and traffic. It's a nightmare.

"In five years I haven't met anyone who thinks this is a good idea. Yes we need houses but Benfield isn't an appropriate place to build on."

The application received more than 300 objections from residents.

Amanda Grimshaw, councillor for Hangleton and Knoll, told BBC Radio Sussex: "We understand the value and affection that Benfield Valley is held in. We do not want this development in Hangleton.

"It feels like an invasion by people whose aims are not for the community, to take our valuable space away."

Dawn Barnett, a former councillor for Hangleton and Knoll, said: "It should never be built on, it's a nature reserve."

David Godden, representing Hollybrook Homes, said at the meeting the development would have 40% affordable homes, a new community parkland, workshops for small businesses

He added: "We believe our scheme provides the right balance between housing need and meeting policy objectives of preserving and enhancing the valley. Ninety per cent of the valley will remain undeveloped."

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