Campaigners continue to fight Royal Mail office move

Councillors will decide on controversial plans to move a Royal Mail depot in East Sussex.

Campaigners say the proposed development at Patcham Court Farm would increase flood risk, sewage leaks and traffic.

If approved, the site would replace the current offices in North Road in Brighton and Denmark Villas, Hove.

Royal Mail said changes to the planning application had been made to reflect the issues raised by residents.

Rebecca Kimber, of the Patcham Against Royal Mail campaign group, said the land was prone to flooding, with new buildings likely to reduce how much rainwater can be absorbed into the ground.

“Because of the principal aquifer, they can’t allow any of the drinking water that used to be collected on site to come down into the aquifer and the pumping station,” she told BBC Radio Sussex.

“So it’s now got to be redirected down into the sewers, which go into the village.”

Fellow concerned resident Paul Mannix said he intended to speak about the risk to groundwater at Brighton & Hove City Council’s planning committee meeting on Wednesday.

He said there were many vulnerable residents who may suffer health concerns if their tap water was contaminated.

The planning consultant for the campaigners, Philip Hardy, has also raised concerns over increased traffic.

“Every single day, there are a thousand movements in and out in this highly protected area, which is peaceful,” he said.

“You’re changing the form and character adversely and irreversibly, forever.”

Royal Mail said it had made substantial additions to the planning application to further ensure that the ground water was protected and flood risk was mitigated.

It would also safeguard 360 jobs, reduce emissions and improve deliveries and working conditions, a spokesman previously said.