Summary
Following a planning refusal in 2011 the PortZED team has been focusing on redesigning the scheme to overcome the initial refusal reasons and take on board the observations and concerns of local residents. I believe that the removal of the turbines and the reduction in height and the number of apartments from the original 67 to 52 will overcome the original refusal reasons.
We are happy to confirm that the scheme will remain zero carbon and achieve the CSH Level 6 standards and will retain the visitor centre and green business hub as permanent features of the development. Save for the removal of the turbines, we have managed to retain all of the key environmental and design features of the previous scheme. The scheme now displays a more varied roofline together with additional green roofs and walls and a more open vista as viewed from Kingsway. The revised design provides greater visibility to the Port and by introducing a cycle workshop at Basin Road North level, we believe the scheme provides a better interface with the port which will assist with its wider redevelopment plans.
The link below contains details of the revised planning application and gives you the opportunity to provide support for the scheme by clicking the ‘make a comment’ button.
The following points highlight the significance of the PortZED scheme:
PortZED is a development which comprises a zero emission and zero carbon community of buildings.
It is a mixed use residential and commercial development facing South West over Shoreham Port in the City of Brighton and Hove. It will comprise 52 residential apartments built over shops, offices and support facilities linked by a recreational landscaped deck and arranged as a terrace of six lozenge shaped building separated by voids providing views across the Port and to the see beyond.
PortZED has been designed to the highest sustainability standards by leading architects ZEDFactory and Alan Phillips Architects, and exceeds level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and will be the first truly zero carbon development in this country
The buildings are connected by a new pedestrian deck promenade at Kingsway level providing commercial units, outside space and play areas, a Visitors Centre and Green Business Hub
Has the capability of generating its total energy requirements on site through micro generation technologies which have been designed into the scheme including:
biomass boiler
photovoltaics
solar thermal
The buildings are 3.5 storeys high at either end of the site rising to 5.5 storeys in the centre. There is a further 1.5 storeys of car parking at lower ground floor beneath Kingsway ground level, accessed via Basin Road North with additional B1 space at this level to integrate with the Port.
A fairly high density development such as PortZED is particularly appropriate for an area in need of regeneration as large mixed use developments have the ability to significantly improve the physical, social and economic character of a place.
Accommodation schedule:
RESIDENTIAL
Private housing (60%)
1 bed apartments x 9
2 bed apartments x 19
3 bed apartments x 4
Total: 32
Affordable housing (40%)
1 bed apartments x 5
2 bed apartments x 9
3 bed apartments x 6
Total: 20
COMMERCIAL
A1 retail units 1,819.6m2
A3 restaurant / café 239m2
B1 office space to include a visitor centre and green business hub 333.6m2
D1 medical facility 151m2
B1 cycle workshop/office space at Basin Road North level 418m2
8 car parking spaces accessed from Kingsway including 1 disabled space
Undercroft parking with access from Basin Road North within the port providing a total of 58 car park spaces:
Resident parking spaces x 43
Disabled parking spaces x 15
118 Cycle Spaces
Cycle parking will be provided at Kingsway level with a total of 36 outdoor visitor cycle spaces and a further 82 indoor secure covered spaces
Will create 48 jobs directly within the development itself and will stimulate further employment in the wider community through supporting start-up businesses within the Green Business Hub
Visitors Centre & Green Business Hub
Information point for all residents and visitors
Bike and car hire
Education and lecture facilities
Business facilities and meeting point
Has been awarded Demonstration Project funding by Communities and Local Government
Has been successful in bidding for Technology Strategy Board funding and is now part of a research programme into ‘Designing for Future Climate Change – Adapting Buildings’
Chris Todd of Friends of the Earth stated “It is unusual that BHFOE enthusiastically supports new development, but in this case, the group believes that the developers have put a lot of thought and research into their proposals… This is rare and something that BHFOE strongly applauds. BHFOE believes that this exemplar development should be granted planning permission and trusts that it will receive strong backing from the City Council.”
If awarded planning, the PortZED development will fund investment in the local community by way of Section 106 contributions to schools, recreation space, transport and infrastructure