The development project aims to regenerate the site of the Portslade village centre by demolishing the existing community centre and residential garages and building two three-storey pavilion blocks instead.
These blocks are set to house 28 affordable flats and a new community centre.
The site is primarily is currently residential and serves as a hub of local amenities for people in Portslade.
The proposal also includes 22 parking spaces, ten of which will be designated for the community centre and twelve allocated for future flat residents.
The proposed flats will consist of six one-bedroom units, sixteen two-bedroom units, and six three-bedroom units.
However, residents have expressed major concerns over the potential strain on the village’s infrastructure and possible increase in traffic and chaos.
Brighton and Hove City Council do not publish the names of people who leave comments on planning applications however a number of locals have commented on the planning application, which has been made on behalf of the council.
One person said: “Portslade Village is exactly that, a tiny village with not enough infrastructure to support more residents, it is already stretched beyond capacity; cars, parking, school places (mainly secondary), doctors, dentists etc.”
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Another resident shared similar worries about the impact of the development, particularly regarding parking and potential antisocial behaviour.
They said: “It’s chaos for parking around here as it is.
“Portslade village centre has done so much for a community over the years and can still continue to do so if given more funding.
“This development plan would do more harm than good if it went ahead.
“A potential rise in antisocial behaviour and more chaos on the road than there already is.”
Some residents also fear the damage to the aesthetic character of the village, with one person claiming that they were “totally opposed to this development”.
Another shared feeling among residents was the concern over the impact these new flats would have on the value of their properties, especially ones right near the proposed blocks.
One person said: “The development is not in keeping with the village aesthetics and I for one will have my house overlooked which will or can affect the value of my property.”
While 23 of the 28 public comments were objections, some locals did support the plans put forward.
One resident said: “I support the plans.
“There is a desperate need for affordable and available housing in the area, and the use of brownfield sites like this is the best available option as far as I can see.
“The plans also look like they’ve been drafted in a fairly sensitive way to the surrounding area.”
Another supporter said: ” As others have noted, local housing development is needed in the city in the midst of a housing crisis – and it makes sense to do so without impacting on green land and the parks and public spaces (e.g. Benfield Valley) which we need.
“Yes, there are some concerns about increased busyness on roads/parking etc but there is provision given to this in the application.
“And my view is homes are more important to prioritise than parking, particularly where there are many households with multiple vehicles (sometimes 3+). If not here, making fair use of non-green space in the city then where?”
The consultation period is set to begin on January 29.
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