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Demolition work has begun at a retail park to make way for two drive throughs. Photographs show two units within The Crumbles in Sovereign Harbour Retail Park, Eastbourne, being pulled down to make way for the McDonald’s and Costa Coffee drive throughs. The now vacant units were formerly home to a Frankie and Benny’s restaurant and Defiant Sport.
Eastbourne Borough Council approved the development in March. According to planning documents, the new additions will create 70 jobs. “We aim to deliver a development that is in accordance, as far as practicable, with best practice principles of sustainable development,” planning documents said.
Plans were approved in March (Image: Sussex News and Pictures) Read more: Aldi reveals plans for new store in Sussex “And the scheme has been designed to positively contribute to long-term objectives of environment protection and resource management. “The proposed development will provide an attractive, modern development at the northern end of the retail park which will complement the wider retail operations of the centre.” The plans split opinion among residents with some people glad to see the “abandoned” site utilised and others concerned the new drive-throughs would encourage anti-social behaviour.
Paul Lewry, of Shannon Way, said: “I would like to object to the proposal of Mcdonald's being built on the Sovereign Harbour site. My concerns are that it would encourage unsocial behaviour by boy racers and generate more litter around the area, my other concern is this would increase more traffic in and out the retail park. "If proposals go ahead I would hope that McDonalds would not make it 24 hours but to have a closing time of 22:00 hours and to have lockable barriers into their car park.
” Anne Eggleston, of Monarch Gardens, also objected. “There is already a problem with late-night boy racers causing noise and disturbance by driving around the Crumbles car park. “Late-night food and drink facilities will only encourage them and others to congregate and cause a nuisance to the surrounding residential area.
” Michael Wishman said: “I think it will be very good for the town and beneficial for the area.” Sovereign Harbour Retail Park has 12 units and a petrol station..
