Question 27.

Comments in relation to the Spindlewood Drive site known as BX116.

Planning applications on this site have been refused in the past both at local level and at appeal. RR/1999/1643P and RPJ1999122701P to name but two. Nothing has changed since then. On appeal the Inspector categorically stated that the land was 'Coddled and not suitable for building'. So why spend taxpayers money on pursuing such a hopeless cause when more suitable brown field sites are readily
available?

Rother District Council should be reminded that this site has long been controversial. Questions of the relationships between Developers and Rother District Council Planners were raised in The House of Commons by Charles Wardle MP, 9th May 200lHansard Col. 2401241/242. See alleged corruption between the land owner Ward-Jones and Jolly and Eades. publications.parliament.uk

Rother District Council Planners should be advised to stay well clear of this site for that reason alone.

The area bounded by Spindlewood Drive and Maple Walk is a green and pastoral site and is further bounded by a Dansar site. A site of extreme scientific interest and one of only three Dansar sites in the United Kingdom. It is home to over 2000 species of which several are protected and endangered. Namely the Fen Raft spider and the Crested Newt. To encroach in any way on this land would be a crime and
totally against the Environmental Policy of Rother District Council. Any development on the adjacent green field would cause water pollution to this very sensitive site. Light pollution would encroach on the habitat of several species of bat. There are several Badger sets.

The road access approach to the proposed site is poor. Increased traffic flow would again be dangerous. The Cooden Sea Road junction with Meads Road is dangerous due to the very poor site lines. Vehicles have to be in the traffic before they are sighted.

Meads Road is narrow, in part yellow lined but does provide car parking space which is extremely limited in Little Common. The road construction is of concrete slab which is already damaged and is flapping and is not suitable for heavy vehicles. This would have to be rebuilt at considerable cost to East Sussex. Maple walk is a private road. The residents pay for upkeep. It is single lane with no passing points in part.

The proposed Spindlewood Drive access is les than fifty feet from Meads Road. To tight for heavy goods vehicles. There are poor sight lines. There is no where for construction traffic to park. Parking in Spindlewood Drive which is narrow would not be acceptable.

The infrastructure of Little Common is poor. Local schools are overflowing. The Doctors Surgery is at capacity. There is a four day wait for prescriptions at the Pharmacy already. Car parking facilities in Little Common are almost non existent. There is no work in Little Common for any new residents. All new residents would have to travel to neighbouring towns or beyond. Only achievable via the A259 which
is already beyond capacity. Long queues to the Little Common roundabout exist at all times of day. The area needs a bypass. A link from the new link road (Bexhill - Hastings) to Beyond the Lamb Inn on the A259.

Considering developing BX116 will lead to the further development of the adjacent fields which I note have been enumerated in the plan. This would lead to a development of more than 600 houses bounded by Cooden Sea Road and Clavering Way. The service and hence spine road to such a development would be Meads Road which for all the reasons stated would be totally unsuitable.

Rother District Council please consult your own reports as to the risk of flooding in this area. The report you commissioned in 2008 models a flood height of 1.75 metres on the adjacent Golf Course if the shingle at Cooden Beach were overtopped. You should be reminded of Global warming and the increase in sea
level. My home in La Faute sur Mer, France was flooded by a Spring tide surge caused by a severe storm. 29 people drowned in their beds, 1000 homes were destroyed, 86 died in total from Tempete Xynthia. The mayor, his assistant and the town planners all went to jail - building on a flood plain - manslaughter.

Air pollution from the traffic queues along the A259 is extremely high and is not monitored. This is a major health issue.

There are more suitable sites:
Namely Site BX124 adjacent to the new North Bexhill Access Road where under options 2 and 3 the number of houses could be significantly increased. Better local infrastructure, shops, schools, jobs, train stations and access to St Leonards and Hastings without using the A259.

Site BX1OI at Northeye which is a brownfield site.

Question 35

Amend the plan. Do not for all the reasons given develop the Spindlewood Drive site. It is a greenfield site and brownfleld sites are always the preferred option i.e.BX124 and BX 101.

In conclusion for all the reasons stated it would be detrimental to the village and residents of Little Common if the development at Spindlewood Drive was pursued further. As to the environment and the Dansar site this would be disastrous. If it were to go ahead could I suggest the purchase of four concrete cows to be sited on the Little Common Roundabout on a patch of artificial grass to remind our children
that this was once a green and pleasant land before the institution of absurd planning regulation and targets.

Rother District Council stand up for your own environmental policies.