I don't agree to the requirements of BEX3 (Ref. BX124). The North Bexhill Access Road development gives an opportunity for 50 affordable houses suggested on the Spindlewood site which could be sited off the NBAR as Option 2.

REASONS TO PREFER POLICY BEX3 (BX124)

Accessibility/lnfrastructure Benefits:

There would be a definite advantage for residents to be sited nearer to superior services afforded to them such as schools, doctors' surgeries, hospitals, leisure facilities in the nearby areas, plus easy access to Sidley, Enterprise Way, Hastings, St. Leonards, Bexhill town centre and Ravenside. No other area of Bexhill is better suited than BX124 for further development due to its location with access to theA21 which could well bring more business and visitors to the area thus helping to grow the local economy and give job opportunities closer to home to the residents of the new NBAR development.

Employment opportunities in Little Common are few and far between, so any residents living on a new development in this location would have to travel further afield, and with only one Primary School already oversubscribed and no Secondary School, children would have to be driven to other areas. Extra car journeys would increase the already congested A259, Little Common Roundabout and its approach roads, plus give rise to drivers needing to find a possible 'rat run' through Maple Walk and Maple Avenue to Cooden Sea Road to avoid the inevitable hold-ups at
Meads Road Junction to access this road.

Ease congestion on A259 at Little Common:

Roads around Little Common, particularly the A259, cannot take increased traffic flows into that Area from a site at Spindlewood Drive; there is already considerable traffic coming into the Roundabout from Pear Tree Lane, Chestnut Walk and Cooden Sea Road, as well as the existing traffic flow along the A259, which at peak times runs into 900 vehicles per hour in both directions. Unnecessary car journeys would be avoided if Pol. BEX3

New Territories:

This new undeveloped area offers a chance to consider an unencumbered approach for new homes and businesses which would not encroach or detract from areas such as Bexhill which would be the case if other preferred sites were given the 'go ahead'. With new shops and local amenities within the development being created, this would encourage a 'sense of community'.

Little Common By-Pass:

A much needed by-pass to Little Common would be on offer if NBAR was to be taken westwards from the A269 out to the A259 near the Lamb Inn at Hooe. Easy access to BX124 from east and west would be available without causing disruption to local roads around St. Mary's Lane, which has been flagged up as a key constraint.

Option 3 of Pol. BEX3 Possibilities:

Rather than developing to the south of NBAR RDC's housing needs could preferably be met by additionally adopting Option 3 which includes land to the north of NBAR. This would take extra strain off existing residents in other areas of Bexhill wherever land can be identified. If, in ten years plus time, additional housing is required, the area north of NBAR could be considered; there is not only plenty of space but local amenities would already be in place.

Air and Noise Pollution:

It would be highly unlikely-that an increase in BX124 Development would create a greater amount of traffic on the A259 than other preferred sites, thus the already high levels of pollution and noise elsewhere in Bexhill could be more easily controlled, lowering the associated risk of dementia and lung disease to local residents.

Conclusion:

BX124 Developments would enhance the whole area and bring together a sustainable community with exciting local amenities and most importantly not disadvantage the lives of people living in other areas of Bexhill which has often been described as The Jewel in the Crown" and "The best Kept Secret". We have recently moved to Cooden and this village lives up to its reputation of charm and tranquillity. Please don't let it be spoiled unnecessarily.