We suggest that for RSCs in particular you replace Policy RA1 (iii) with a far more positive proposal to support and sustain businesses within the RSCs. You have failed to be specific on what support would actually mean; we believe it should be positive in the sense of business rate support and should provide a protective planning framework to ensure that the high street areas are not diminished by allowing change of use applications to other than business use, unless very strict economic tests are passed.

Our suggestion would be that for RSCs at least there should be a policy which protects premises whose uses are currently employment and service generating, by resisting proposals to change the use unless the change of use or redevelopment provides suitable replacement or service generating employment opportunities. The only exception would be if there are demonstrably overwhelming economic reasons which indicate the current use is unsustainable.

We also suggest that encouragement should be given to any new build permission for live/work units, which recognise the fact that within Robertsbridge for example, there are at least forty businesses that operate out of people's houses and there needs to be a recognition in the strategy that provision of such accommodation is needed to create sustainable and vibrant RSCs.