Of all the sites identified in the DaSA consultation process for Bexhill (BEX1 - BEX10), there is one outstanding location suitable and ideal for large site development - site BEX124 - the North Bexhill Access Road (N BAR).

This site offers a golden opportunity for RDC to create a self-contained environment for the residents without affecting existing built up areas of Bexhill. Consequently, the site achieves the rare feat of meeting everyone's objectives - RDC meet their target of housing needs, the residents have a completely new and non-polluting environment with excellent access to and opportunities of local employment (via BEX1) and existing areas of Bexhill (especially Little Common) are not overburdened with demands on their limited infrastructure.

The current proposal of Option 1 for 450 houses on BX124 should therefore be seen to be too tentative and the site should be expanded to encompass at least 550-600 houses as per Option 3.

The local infrastructure around BX124 is more than adequate to accommodate this additional development. Indeed the location of the site is ideal for all aspects of required infrastructure.

1. local jobs (BEX1), St Leonards, Bexhill and Hastings all readily accessible via Coombe Valley Way or NBAR itself
2. Schools - new school being built at NE Bexhill and others nearby accessible via Enterprise Way
3. GP surgeries - at Bexhill old town and Sidley
4. Trains - at Bexhill and Hastings Warrior Square
5. Shopping - at Ravenside, St Leonards, Bexhill and Hastings all accessible without needing to use the A259.

The site would be further enhanced for future development beyond 2028 if a Little Common bypass were to be provided linking the end of NEAR at the A269 with the A259 at Hooe (by The Lamb Inn). Such a road would bring huge benefits to all of Bexhill creating a "golden triangle" of Coombe Valley Way, the A259 and the Little Common Bypass. Local commerce would benefit with improved productivity and the over used A259 through Little Common would see a marked reduction in traffic flows bringing much needed relief to the residents living along that road in terms of reduced noise and air pollution levels.

There would be major benefits to RDC as well of course, with potential for significant further development along the by-pass itself as well as possible further development along the NBAR. This would almost certainly help RDC to meet any future residential and commercial targets beyond 2028.

The complete reverse to these arguments applies to developments proposed around Little Common.
Here the local infrastructure is already overburdened and stretched to the limit. The agreed Barnhorn Green development and other smaller developments planned and proposed along Barnhorn Road and Cooden Sea Road are likely to result in 400 new properties. The GP surgery is already close to capacity and is unlikely to be able to cope with 800+ residents. The A259 is also close to capacity (900 vehicles per hour for most of the working day) and will be badly affected by the traffic lights and
zebra crossing to be installed shortly along Barnhorn Road. Little Common school is also at capacity.
There are no job prospects in the Little Common area nor any secondary schools. All major shopping centres are situated at some distance from Little Common. Consequently all new residents around Little Common will be forced to use their cars every day, for many at least twice a day to reach these essential facilities adding yet more burden on the A259 and increases in noise and air pollution. In
short, a disaster for the new residents and for Little Common as a whole.

Conclusion

1. Site BX124 is the outstanding candidate for large scale development and proposed number there should be increased to 555-600 as per Option 3.
2. No further development should be contemplated around Little Common due to inadequate infrastructure and serious harm to the environment. This especially applies to Spindlewood Drive (BX116) due the size of development proposed there.
3. Site BX101 (Northeye) would be best developed to provide local job opportunities around Little Common and without serious impact to the A259 and local infrastructure (Option 1).