No decision on tower block scheme

If given the go-ahead the 10 million, 18-storey tower block will incorporate 22 loft-style flats, offices, a restaurant and retail space. It would take 18 months to build.

At a meeting of Newhaven Town Council's planning applications committee at the Lewes Road Social Centre on Tuesday members did not take the traditional vote on whether it would recommend Lewes District Council refuse or approve the plans.

Despite the bid being described, by chairman Pat Ost, as an issue which seemed to have no middle ground, with people strongly for it or against, the solid LibDem council decided not to formally back or oppose.

Instead it was agreed to submit a list of comments to Lewes District Council. Cllr Judith Ost said she hoped it did not appear the council was fudging the issue.

Cllr Carol Borowski said the council did not have enough information about some of the more technical aspects of the bid to make a firm resolution.

Comments made by townsfolk to councillors were heard.

Some feared the foundations of the building could not be built deep enough to support it and others were reluctant to see the small row of historic Bridge Street shops demolished.

Young people were the most keen backers, said Cllr Borowski.

'A lot of people who are in favour are the younger element. Young people will welcome it to make the town centre more lively.'

But the Mayor, Cllr Dennis Forsdike, said many older people liked it too. 'One 80-year-old gentleman told me it was the best thing since sliced bread,' he said.

However, he raised concerns about the lack of necessary fire- fighting equipment in Newhaven to deal with an emergency in a high-rise building and was worried there would be considerable disruption while it was built.

Cllr Ost told how a council survey had resulted in eight pages of comments against the tower and just two in favour.

She said: 'People's concerns about the character of the town are very real and genuine.'

Fears were voiced that the tower would not be completed or that other tower blocks would follow. Cllr Ost said: 'It cannot be a landmark if there is more than one.'

Arguments for the tower echoed those made in the fifties and sixties which resulted in a rash of tower blocks and the destruction of many historic city centres, said Cllr Peter Harper.

High-rise living led to unneighbourly attitudes.

He said: 'It is totally inappropriate, Manhattan might welcome it, but it is not Manhattan, Newhaven is not even Brighton.'