Object

Proposed Submission Core Strategy

Representation ID: 20664

Received: 30/09/2011

Respondent: J BLOCK

Agent: Mr NICK IDE

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Representation Summary:

OSS1 is unachievable, since a decision on the Link Road is awaited. The housing target for Battle should be increased.

Full text:

* OSS1 is not in general conformity with the regional plan.

* A substantial part of OSS1(i) (Additional Dwellings) and (iii)(a) (Bexhill) is unachievable, since a decision on the Link Road is awaited.

* OSS1 should refer to OSS2 in the event the Link Road does not proceed as envisaged.

* If the Link Road is further delayed/cancelled, this requires a re-evaluation, not just of the capacity of Bexhill, but of the role of other Rother settlements, in meeting the District's needs. It is unacceptable to ring fence the Bexhill urban extension, ie to say:

a) That without Link Road funding, the extension will not proceed and nor will housing and employment lost from the urban extension be provided for elsewhere in the District (OSS2 ii); or

b) That 'some' of these needs will be met elsewhere, but subject to further studies / later DPDs (OSS2 iii d)

* The housing target for Battle should be increased to enable the overall target for the District to be in general conformity with the South East Plan. Battle and Rye should be separated out under OSS1(iii)(b). Neither are 'small' market towns. The description of Battle under Para 7.38 could usefully distinguish between the historic, compact core and outer lying areas where capacity exists for growth. There is an all pervading sense in the Plan that it is too difficult to build anywhere other than upon the urban extensions at Bexhill. Battle presents a significant development opportunity over and above the quantity set out in Fig 8.