PREFERRED SITE:

I understand that the Rural District Council needs to reach core targets and is
considering Spindlewood Drive BX116 as a preferred development site for 160
properties. I feel this site to be totally inappropriate for reasons given below and
consider that an alternative preferred site would be that of BX124 on the new
North Bexhill Access Road plus it would be possible to increase the number of
houses currently proposed on this site and other possible sites bordering the NBAR.
Residents sited in these positions would enjoy excellent benefits with access to far
superior facilities of shops, doctors' surgeries, schools, chemists, business centres,
jobs etc. at Ravenside, Bexhill town , Hastings, St. Leonards and Enterprise Way.
Northeye BX101 is not considered a suitable site because of its negative impact on
the infrastructure of Little Common.

REASONS TO CONSIDER BX124 AS A PREFERRED SITE OVER
SPINDLEWOOD DRIVE DEVELOPMENT.

Insufficient Infrastructure:

The approved development of Barnhorn Green of 342 houses will, in itself, push
Little Common's existing infrastructure to the limit and beyond and any additional
housing will only add to this crisis point. The fact that 30% of all new development
needs to be affordable accommodation means that the demographics will include a
much younger element who will need jobs and their children will need schools.
There simply are not enough adequate roads, local schools, doctors' surgeries,
convenient parking spaces etc. to cope with the extra influx of residents in the Little
Common area. Already, the proposed 'school' and 'doctors' surgery' on the
Barnhorn site plans have been replaced with residential properties and the present
Little Common Primary School is already over-subscribed and unable to cope with
an increase in their numbers. There are no local Secondary Schools. It has been
noted that the plots tagged as 'commercial' at Barnhorn have been reduced and
turned into land for flats and houses which means the number of residents will be
further increased on that site.

Air Pollution:

It is noted that existing air pollution levels around Little Common are close to breaching safe levels and with the additional traffic which is forecast once Barnhorn Green construction starts, this will result in unacceptable levels of pollution and be a danger to local residents i.e. dementia and lung disease. Current air pollution levels along Barnhorn Road should be monitored as a priority measure.

Unsuitable access:

The Spindlewood Drive site access via narrow roads, i.e. Meads Road, Maple Walk and Spindlewood Drive, is totally unsuitable and not in line with the Local Plan Core Strategy paper September 2014, P55, Para 8. 56 which states 'Development to the West of Little Common, both north and south of Barnhorn Road (A259) will be
considered. Access would need to be created directly off the A259/supplemented
by existing estate roads!' The increased traffic along Meads Road into Cooden Sea
Road will result in serious congestion along these roads flowing into Little Common
roundabout via dangerous junctions. I feel that the RDC do not possess up-to-date
knowledge of the long traffic queues forming on the A259 leading into and out of
this roundabout at this present time, especially as work has started on the new
Barnhorn estate. There is also an underestimation of the amount of traffic coming
into this area from Peartree Lane/ Chestnut Walk and Cooden Sea Road. A by-pass
of Little Common urgently needs construction joining the A259 to Ninfield Road
joining up with the new North Bexhill Access Road.

Risk of a "Rat Run' through Maple Walk and Maple Ave to Cooden Sea Road:

Looking at the proposed plan, it seems inevitable that drivers, finding the traffic
congested through the small inadequate access route, will find a "'rat run' to Cooden
Sea Road through Maple Walk and Maple Avenue which are unsuitable and
dangerous for heavy traffic. Both these roads are 'unaudited' which means" that "the
Council do not hold themselves responsible for gritting or repairs to the road surface
and with the increased traffic this will result "in undue wear and tear; "therefore
higher costs for maintenance will need to be paid by the residents. Maple Walk is
already a dangerous lane to traverse as it is badly lit and there are no pavements in
many parts. The council should be made aware that there is already a public safety
issue here.

Flood Analysis:

A full flood analysis needs to be made as apparently the field in question is
adjoining flood pollution and is very wet. Indeed, wetlands need to be protected.
Plant and wildlife, such as the generations of badgers that have lived in this field
will find their food supply cut off and roam further afield into people's gardens.

Jewel in the Crown:

There is no need to infiltrate on an already built-up area. The character of Little
Common village and Cooden attracted my husband and me to move to Maple
Avenue in Spring of last year. We wanted to enjoy and share in the unique'
ambience of this very special corner of Sussex offering a quiet escape from the
claustrophobic "Urban Sprawl' of many towns which have been over-developed by
the planners and land owners. We need to protect this precious "jewel in the
crown" and preserve its special identity for future generations.