This May Make Me A NIMBY…

Shoreham Harbour

Last year (October 2007), I heard a rumour that a super-size me development could be sprouting forth from Shoreham Harbour.

This was hardly news to me, a coastal dweller whose daily commute requires travelling past the Harbour along the narrow and congested strip (the A259) between Shoreham and Brighton.

Back in 2003 the kibosh was put on a “media village” (advertiser speak for homes, shops, offices – the lot). The project was shelved because no-one was willing to stump up the £200 million needed to improve the A259.

So it was with a healthy does of scepticism that I greeted the news that the project has been revived and will result in 10,000 new homes landing more or less on my doorstep.

Apparently, though, I may be wrong, it appears that the wheels are well and truly rolling on this one and the developers, SEEDA (South East England Development Agency), have already been granted New Growth Point status for the Herculean project.

The New Growth will involve “a major urban extension” - 10,000 high density dwellings! Up to 7,750 new jobs! New retail and leisure facilities! You get the idea - it’s gonna be massive.

There’s still a long way to go, what with pesky details like planning approval to contend with, but what really caught my eye on this one is the transport issue.

To quote SEEDA, the project may include: “a package of high quality public transport improvements including an extension to the proposed (bus-based) Rapid Transit System link with Brighton & Hove and the Sussex Coast, and upgrades to the existing railway stations and rail services.”

Yes, I think it’s marvellous that more homes are coming to the Brighton area - I’ll probably be able to afford one myself in about 50 years time – but what’s going to happen to the A259 that stands between the current harbour and those all important transport links like railway stations, bus stops etc?

Hmm? Colour me confused but no amount of extra platforms and bus services can really change the logistics of a heaving road that runs between water and… well, everything else.

So by all means bring on the new houses, cinemas, shops, etc, but maybe invest in a water-taxi service at the same time.

Having said all that, while new homes could be cropping up within three years time, SEEDA concedes that the more major regeneration could take between 15-20 years.

Which I reckon is just about enough time in which to convince my boss about the joys of remote desk-topping.

You can read more about SEEDA’s plans here

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