Patcham residents to protest against Royal Mail plans

Residents in Patcham are campaigning against the scheme which would see the centre built on Patcham Court Farm.

They have warned of the impact it could have on the city’s water supply, the effect it would have on the environment and traffic in the village.

They have called for the plan to be scrapped, which has also garnered the support of Green candidate for Brighton Pavilion Sian Berry.

In January, drainage expert David Harris expressed fears that plans for the derelict farm site could bring the potential to make flooding much worse in Patcham.

Royal Mail have amended a section of the documents associated with its long-running bid, meaning people are able to take part in a consultation and provide objections, comments and questions until the deadline of May 17.

Campaigners and residents have now organised a public meeting and protest near to the proposed site today at the Village Barn, All Saints Church in Patcham.

Royal Mail’s plans were first made public in 2021 and since then, over 1,000 objections have been made.

Mike Howard, co-lead of Patcham Against Royal Mail, said: “Royal Mail are attempting to put lipstick on a pig by slightly amending a few immaterial details of their hideous plan for Patcham’s public land.

“The whole thing needs to be scrapped.

“It has already wasted a huge amount of the council’s time and resources, as well as putting considerable strain on people in the area.”

Royal Mail hit back at criticism in October, saying they have “listened to feedback from residents” and have made amendments to their proposal, which includes changing the proposed entrance to the site.

The change will see HGVs enter via the A27 Patcham interchange and vehicles will only be able to exit via a right turn, “preventing them from entering and exiting Patcham”.

More protections for an aquifer, as well as added trees and plant life to reduce the building’s visual impact, have also been included in the amended proposal.

They have previously said the development is an “excellent opportunity to create a new environmentally-friendly and purpose-built delivery office”.