Q.1
The Sustainability Appraisal (SA) is based on the Core Strategy (CS). The CS was approved in 2014 but is based on earlier data, in particular the ONS population projections for 2011 which have now been overtaken by those for 2014. The CS inspectors report noted that the objectively assessed requirement for Rother of 338 households per annum based on ONS 2011 was significantly less than that based on 2008 "How Many Homes" model (584 households per annum). The Inspector, having considered evidence from the RTPI Research Report No.1 Jan 2014 advised that if the economy improved significantly it could lead to higher levels of housing need. The publication of the 2014 ONS population data has proved that need has increased. The CS Inspector's conclusion that the CS was sound was based on the need for the Council to review this matter and to ensure that the CS was up to date. This has not happened.
The Sustainability Appraisal has not considered this increased need and has merely relied on the CS requirement. Consequently the SA is inadequate and should be revised. This is likely to result in an increase in the requirement above that identified in the CS which should be reviewed. A sites allocation document based on levels of housing requirement which are inadequate will not be sound.

Q.8
Option B is preferred on the basis that the delivery of sites for all housing types should be the priority and this option would achieve that objective.
Q.78
Site NO7 and NO8 are preferred.
As set out in the response to Question 1 the current housing requirement for Rother is not met by either the Core Strategy or the proposals in the Local Plan. More housing will be required and Northiam is a sustainable location with schools, shops, bus service and other amenities.
Amendments to the boundaries of NO7 and NO8 have been made, see attached drawing, in order to overcome landscape objections as set out in the SHLAA analysis of these sites. NO7 is now confined to the redevelopment of redundant farm buildings which will give an improvement to the natural beauty of this area of AONB by the replacement of unsightly and dilapidated buildings with those of high quality design and additional landscaping. NO8 will now provide a completed of the street scene along Dixter Road.
Both sites are well related to the services as they lie adjacent to the centre of the village and consequently represent better potential for non-car use than other sites considered as part of the SHLAA.
It is expected that NO7 would deliver 6 units and NO8 would deliver 15 units. The access to NO7 is considered adequate in respect of the numbers of units now proposed.
Additional supporting information was submitted and can be viewed here: http://www.rother.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=28107