Re-think on medical centre design

That was the verdict of councillors on Rother's planning committee, who agreed with comments from English Heritage that a more 'sensitive' design approach is needed.

Councillors said they were reasonably happy with the design until it reaches the fourth storey, where it seems to become a 'grey concrete block.'

They said it was an important site in the Bexhill Town Centre Conservation Area and any new building needs to reflect that. Planning consent was deferred and the architects told to go back to the drawing board.

Planning officer Frank Rallings said he was concerned at the height of the building, which at six storeys would cast an oppressive shadow over the Sea Road and Jameson Road area.

Mr Rallings said it was possible to get round that with imaginative design which needn't result in a loss of space.

He added: "The design needs much more detailing and modelling above storey three.

"I'm also not very happy with the Sea Road entrance, which is not imposing enough, or the circular corner tower.

"The agents should be producing more plans and I'm sure with our comments and those from English Heritage the mark three proposal should be a lot better."

The building will feature a state-of-the-art medical centre with underground parking and around 30 sheltered flats.

Cllr Peter Fairhust said: "We should be looking for an iconic and award-winning building on this site. The design in front of us won't win any awards."

There is also uncertainty at the level of affordable housing that should be included in the block. Rother wants to insist that a percentage of the flats are affordable but the developers question the council's authority to do so. The council has strict targets on providing affordable housing.

Cllr George Hearn said: "It's another case of people trying to wriggle out of providing affordable housing."

Cllr John Kemp added: "We can't allow a development that should include affordable housing not to have any.

"If we're not firm about this we're going to end up in an area where key public sector workers can't afford to buy or rent property."