The proposed depot would be located on the site of the former Patcham Village Hall, a building that was demolished in 2019. The site is currently used as a car park. The depot would be built on a 2.5-acre plot, with a footprint of 1.5 acres. The proposed depot would have a significant impact on the local community, with concerns raised about noise, traffic, and the potential for increased pollution. The campaigners argue that the Royal Mail’s plans are not in line with the council’s own planning policies. The campaigners have been vocal in their opposition to the depot, holding protests and petitioning the council.

A local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed their shock and disappointment at the Planning Committee meeting held at Hove Town Hall. They felt that the chair of the committee, who was responsible for ensuring fair and impartial proceedings, had shown a blatant disregard for democracy and local representation. The resident highlighted the disproportionate amount of time given to Royal Mail representatives during the meeting, while local councillors were only allotted a brief window to respond to their questions.