An application to build a Royal Mail delivery office at Patcham Court Farm has been approved by councillors on the Planning Committee.
The 1.57-hectare site is located at the northern edge of Patcham on Vale Avenue, close to the A27 junction with the A23.
The property was part of a wider agricultural holding that was separated from the main farm by the construction of the A27.
The application proposes the demolition of the existing agricultural buildings and the clearance of scrub land to build a 4,145sqm storage and distribution facility to be used as a postal delivery office.
Road access would be to the south west of the site from Vale Avenue. An access road would lead to two main car parks providing 85 spaces for staff vehicles and 132 for Royal Mail fleet vehicles.
It is expected that the delivery centre would provide 360 jobs, with 246 staff on site on an average day.
You can view the application and accompanying papers through our online Planning Register by searching for application reference number BH2022/02232.
Over the course of the application objections were received from 1,176 individuals, including representatives of Brighton & Hove Wildlife Forum, the Brighton Society, Patcham and Hollingbury Conservation Association, and Patcham Local History Group.
Representations in support were received from 13 individuals.
Among the external bodies consulted no objections were made by National Highways, the Environment Agency, the South Downs National Park Authority or Southern Water. An objection was received from the Conservation Advisory Group.
Following a site visit and having studied the application documents and comments received, the committee members heard a deputation presented on behalf of local residents, a presentation by council planning officers and submissions by objectors and the applicant.
Key considerations for councillors in reaching their decision included the use of the land having regard to City Plan policies, the impact on neighbouring residents, the findings and recommendations of assessments of transport, drainage, contamination risk and other reports, and consultation responses.
Also taken into consideration was the impact on the biodiversity of the site – including plans to plant more trees and shrubs – as well as on flooding and potential contamination of the aquifer that supplies drinking water to the city. Those in favour of the application felt that the applicant had addressed these issues, that robust conditions had been put in place, and that their concerns were allayed.
Committee members voted by a majority of 7 to 2 to approve the application, with one abstention. The approval is subject to 46 separate conditions and a Section106 agreement. Details of these conditions will be published on our online Planning Register.
You can watch a recording of the Planning Committee meeting webcast on our website.
