Refusal of 75 flats at Zurich House upheld on appeal

East Street Homes’ application for 75 homes on the site in East Park was refused by Crawley Borough Council’s Planning Committee in September.

Objectors raised concerns with the level of parking provided, with just 42 spaces planned, road safety, congestion, the effect of the development on the character of the area, and a loss of privacy for neighbouring properties.

The developer appealed against the council’s decision but this has been dismissed by a planning inspector.

Michael Pickett, a Labour Crawley borough councillor for Southgate, described the result as a ‘victory’ for residents. He added: “Residents had opposed this development every step of the way and their actions have now been vindicated.”

In his report inspector Graham Chamberlain wrote: “The successful redevelopment of the appeal site is challenging as it is caught between two significantly different character areas.

“The appeal scheme has been designed as a genuine and considered attempt to respond to this context.