University awaits decision on masterplan appeal

University awaits decision on masterplan appeal. The University of Sussex has welcomed the opportunity provided by a public inquiry to confirm the merits of its masterplan for the modernisation and expansion of its Falmer campus. The University also welcomes Brighton & Hove City Council's decision, announced on Tuesday (7 July), to withdraw its objection to the masterplan proposals and to withdraw all four Reasons for Refusal that its Planning Committee had given when it originally refused the University's planning application in June 2014. The University's appeal against this decision was lodged in December. The Planning Inspectorate, a government agency that deals with all planning appeals, has been assessing the appeal at a hearing in Brighton that ended on Wednesday (8 July). In stating its change in position to the Public Inquiry, the Council confirmed that it now "accepts that the benefits of the masterplan scheme outweigh any negative effects and [it] therefore no longer contends that permission should be refused". The University's masterplan , which represents a potential £500 million investment in the local economy, provides a framework for the future development of campus and includes: New state-of-the-art academic and research facilities 2,500 new student rooms on campus and facilities to support this expansion Preservation of architect Sir Basil Spence's famous listed buildings and surrounding landscape The creation of an estimated 2,400 new jobs in the local community.