Question 1 re. the key issues for development and change up to 2026

Comment

Representation ID: 18505

Received: 30/11/2006

Respondent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

Agent: HOWARD HUTTON & ASSOCIATES

'Rother in profile' is considered to be well written and informative. The themes and key issues are well defined.

Economic weakness, the lack of affordable housing and poor connectivity all need to be addressed in the emerging core strategy.

Partnership with, and encouragement of, the private sector is key.

Many local authorities, after years trying to keep development out of their areas, now recognise the stagnation such a protectionist approach produces and are embracing a growth strategy which can bring with it urban renewal as well as increasing employment, housing and general prosperity.

A similar approach is commended.

Comment

Representation ID: 18517

Received: 06/12/2006

Respondent: Aroncorp Ltd

Agent: Broadlands

The key issues should emphasise to include a commitment to ensure that everyone has the opportunity of living in a decent home, which they can afford, in a community where they want to live in accordance with PPS3.

Comment

Representation ID: 18533

Received: 07/12/2006

Respondent: Kember Loudon Williams Ltd

Agent: Kember Loudon Williams Ltd

The theme currently refers to the associated benefits for the community that can arise from a healthy economy rather than the underlying requirements that will deliver these benefits. The theme should be re-worded along the following lines:
"what are the most effective and appropriate means of enhancing the vitality and viability of the District's economy so as to provide the opportunity to increase the income available to local people, including via a range of career and learning opportunities, to support improvements in people's standards of living.

Comment

Representation ID: 18542

Received: 07/12/2006

Respondent: Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trust

Theme 5
We would suggest that the theme title should be
Access to Community Infrastructure and Facilities

Key Issues
Again we suggest this should read "providing high standards and easy access to education and healthcare." Also healthcare should be defined to distinguish between that provided in primary care by Rother GPs and that in secondary care by East Sussex Hospitals Trust at the Conquest for example.

Rother Profile - appendix 2
We suggest for equality purposes that ethnicity, gender and disability data from the Census 2001 is included in the section People - socio economic characteristics.

Comment

Representation ID: 18572

Received: 29/01/2007

Respondent: Crowhurst Parish Council

Agree with the four parts of the question

Comment

Representation ID: 18595

Received: 30/01/2007

Respondent: Etchingham Parish Council

This document together with the Profile fairly accurately reflects the characteristics of the district and its population's aspirations. The problem arises in assessing needs and drivers for change in any priority and due to the complexity of and interchange of factors.

Improvements and actions should now be led by firstly taking regard to the threat of climate change and the use of the limited resources available in this district. Greater emphasis must be placed on sustainability to secure the future of coming generations.

A balance must be achieved between securing the well being of those living here whilst ensuring the improvements to bring this about do not lead to further demands being made on improved infrastructure.

Comment

Representation ID: 18608

Received: 31/01/2007

Respondent: Ewhurst Parish Council

Agree with the key issues identified but suggest that 3.12 should acknowledge the eastern end of the District's connectivity with Ashford (growing in importance) and the Continent. 'wider region' could be usefully broadly defined.

The 'drivers for change' need to be focused on transport (road & rail) development - particularly east-west improvements (rather than historical radial links to/from the London hub).

Comment

Representation ID: 18624

Received: 31/01/2007

Respondent: Hastings Borough Council

General comment: HBC would like to congratulate RDC on the quality of the document and is very supportive of the general content and direction of the options offered. It is welcomed that clear reference is made to â€~Shaping Hastings’ which is an important recognition of the joint working between the two Councils.

Comment

Representation ID: 18630

Received: 31/01/2007

Respondent: Rye Conservation Society

Rother in Profile does not identify existing and proposed SSSIs which are a significant constraint upon future development and should be recognised here and in the Core Strategy.

Comment

Representation ID: 18634

Received: 31/01/2007

Respondent: Rye Conservation Society

The 'Drivers for Change’ give insufficient weight to the growing public demand for localisation of services and government within the principle of subsiduarity, promoted by the EU.

Comment

Representation ID: 18649

Received: 01/02/2007

Respondent: Croudace Strategic Ltd

Agent: Charles Planning Associates Limited

It is considered that the five themes cover the main issues affecting the District and that Rother in Profile represents a fair summary of the District’s key characteristics. However it is considered that the Profile and the corresponding 'Drivers for Change’ place too much concentration on the need to develop the urban coastal area and limit growths for the rural towns and villages. This should be re-addressed.

Comment

Representation ID: 18675

Received: 02/02/2007

Respondent: Rastrum Ltd.

Agent: DMH Stallard

On average, the retired population of Rother has a low household income and places a greater demand on healthcare resources. The problems that this causes will be exacerbated as the Baby Boomers reach retirement age. The young people that choose to stay in Rother are likely to be those with a lower skill base and a correspondingly lower earning capacity. This means that the district will face significant problems meeting its funding requirements. In order to bridge this funding gap, the LDF must aim to make Rother a more attractive place to invest and increase employment opportunities for the young.

Comment

Representation ID: 18694

Received: 02/02/2007

Respondent: Mrs. P.C. Ward-Jones

Agent: JB Planning Associates Ltd.

The Core Strategy should provide a policy framework to ensure the South East Plan’s strategic housing and employment requirements can be delivered by 2026. The housing strategy should show that the quantum of development from various sources can be delivered in the Plan period and that a strategy exists to achieve the Plan’s objectives, should supply not deliver to expectation.

We support the LDF making housing provision to 2026 in line with PPS3. The strategy should not have an over-ambitious housing trajectory, should include a range of development opportunities for consistency of supply and allow for flexibility.

Comment

Representation ID: 18712

Received: 05/02/2007

Respondent: Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trust

General comment: the 'List of Relevant Plans and Strategies’ could also usefully include:
. Bexhill and Rother PCT Development Plan 2004 (update 2006)
. Bexhill and Rother PCT’s Annual Public Health Report 2003/4.

Hastings and Rother PCT is due to publish its 2006 Public Health Report shortly
The Health Improvement Action Plan should be dated 2006/7

Comment

Representation ID: 18717

Received: 08/02/2007

Respondent: English Village Projects

Agent: Evison & Company

Themes and key issues are too broad. There should be a separate theme
"the future of villages and how best to secure that future."

It is of such importance as to require being singled out.

Need to protect the traditional character of the villages. The extent to which villages have lost their traditional character and sense of place should be identified as a main characteristic.

Include a reference to ‾securing sustainability’. Ensure that the future of the District is driven by the desire for economic, social and environmental wellbeing.

Comment

Representation ID: 18728

Received: 08/02/2007

Respondent: Mr Basil Streat

To a certain extent the expertise and powers of the Planning Department have been derogated. The process has resulted in pretending to offer the inhabitants a democratic share in the planning process.

We have been overtaken by Government insistence that South East England should be subject to the special control of housing development. The threat of reduction in subsidies has frightened the LPA and old certainties have disappeared.

Comment

Representation ID: 18733

Received: 08/02/2007

Respondent: Highways Agency

It is likely that an Evaluation of the Transport Impact (ETI) of the LDF proposals as a whole will be required. This is best addressed at the Core Strategy stage. An ETI helps devise measures to maximise modal shift and minimise car-based traffic. A simple assignment model could initially be used to identify the transport mitigation issues resulting from development proposals.

The HA currently has no major improvements within its Targeted Programme of Improvements (TPI) in Rother District, though there are schemes within Kent. The Baldslow junction scheme is likely to enter the TPI in 2007 and be constructed by 2011.

Comment

Representation ID: 18743

Received: 09/02/2007

Respondent: Bexhill and District Gardens & Allotments Society

. Future should reflect the needs/aspirations of local people and communities and not what the Council feels should be the views of people.

. Council should not denigrate local views because it does not fit with the Council’s views.

. Council should not pre-empt the result of the consultation exercise. Local opinion may decide development is not required by local residents.

. Accepted that some issues/options must be pursued.

. Preferred options imply that some options or consideration of options must be adopted and not to follow any options or no option at all is not an option which the Council will accept.

Comment

Representation ID: 18752

Received: 09/02/2007

Respondent: PREM (Rooster) Limited

Agent: Montagu Evans

Within the District there are three towns and only seven larger villages that can be expected to be a focus for community services and facilities. It also shows that the towns and only Robertsbridge are situated on major road and rail links.

The key issue of the provision of community infrastructure and facilities is recognised It is submitted that one way of ensuring both the provision and success of both community facilities and local businesses is to allow future growth to be directed towards those communities that are sustainable and currently have such facilities.

Comment

Representation ID: 18789

Received: 12/02/2007

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

Specific reference to the character of Rother’s historic environment would be helpful.
Summary of suggested text: The historic environment and cultural heritage is a key aspect of sustainability. It is non-renewable: once destroyed it cannot be replaced. It is a valuable resource with the potential to increase knowledge and is an excellent vehicle for wider educational objectives. It contributes to people's sense of place and economic/community development, regeneration, access, leisure and tourism. The present rich diversity and character, special to this area and with considerable 'time depth’ should be more fully understood and used to inform decisions about the future.”

Comment

Representation ID: 18790

Received: 12/02/2007

Respondent: Government Office for the South East

General comment: we would remind you that the Issues & Options stage is an interactive process. In particular we will look for evidence at the Preferred Options stage that you have bottomed out key issues with the Highways Agency, the Environment Agency and Natural England through the Issues & Options process to minimise the risk of objections from these bodies to your proposals.

Comment

Representation ID: 18791

Received: 12/02/2007

Respondent: Government Office for the South East

We want evidence that you are working towards making the key strategic decisions needed by the Preferred Options, to address housing/other strategic redevelopment requirements to identify broad locations in accordance with PPS12, paragraph 2.10. We want clearer objectives about what the core strategy is meant to do. Aims 1 - 5 appear weak in providing the strategic objectives required by PPS12, paragraph 2. What is the plan to deliver? Surely that forms the key objectives? Distinguish between plan and sustainability objectives and make Sustainability Appraisal objectives meaningful. Look at Hastings’ Core Strategy objectives and how your objectives might complement these.

Comment

Representation ID: 18801

Received: 13/02/2007

Respondent: The Crown Estate

Agent: Cluttons LLP

We support the need for balanced, safe and inclusive communities. This objective should also recognise the role of rural communities and the impor1ance in both retaining local facilities and services to reduce reliance upon the car. Affordable housing is a key issue in rural areas and is needed to maintain the continuity of the local communities by allowing the young and old to have the opportunity to remain living within their community.

Comment

Representation ID: 18807

Received: 13/02/2007

Respondent: AmicusHorizon Ltd (Rother Homes)

We consider the broad themes; key issues; profile; and drivers for change, as contained within the document, to be accurate and appropriate.

Comment

Representation ID: 18828

Received: 13/02/2007

Respondent: RSPB

The RSPB is broadly supportive of the five themes in particular the inclusion of theme 4. We welcome the recognition in theme four of the need to conserve and enhance the natural environment and respond to challenges of climate change. A rigorous policy to protect and enhance biodiversity should be included. A Policy is recommended that clearly addresses the heirarcy of sites designated for nature conservation.

Comment

Representation ID: 18829

Received: 13/02/2007

Respondent: RSPB

A more inclusive map detailing the hierarchy of international, national, regional and locally designated sites is recommended. Sites should be identified for the restoration or creation of priority habitats that contribute to regional/county targets in accordance with PPS9. Such information should be available in a spatial format. The LDF should be subject to an Appropriate Assessment

Comment

Representation ID: 18831

Received: 13/02/2007

Respondent: McCarthy and Stone UK Ltd.

Agent: Levvel

The Council should concentrate on the following things prior to and during development of the preferred options on affordable housing:

. Identification of stakeholders
. Developing effective methods of engaging with these stakeholders
. Developing a robust and credible evidence base and increasing awareness of the issues
. Producing a comprehensive spatial strategy with priorities linked to the community strategy
. Forming policy options through a collaborative approach with the development industry
. Assessing through consultation and sustainability appraisal, a range of options to deliver the required amount of affordable housing identified in the spatial strategy and policy options.

Comment

Representation ID: 18846

Received: 14/02/2007

Respondent: Land Securities plc

Agent: CGMS Ltd

We support the issues and options brought forward in the core strategy. We believe the Council’s preferred options need to focus on retail, and in particular out of town retail. Additional leisure sites should be identified, which could be used to enhance the vitality of town centres. We support the broad themes with particular reference to providing local shopping, which will enhance the economy, and improve the retail offer at Bexhill. Effective recreation/community facilities are essential for viability of the District, and such locations should be identified.

Comment

Representation ID: 18851

Received: 14/02/2007

Respondent: The National Trust

The five key themes identified in the document represent the main issues for the District over the next 20 years. We believe more emphasis should be given to the protection and enhancement of the unique character and identity of the district, in particular its countryside, historic towns and coast. These are what makes Rother a special place. Protection of these assets is paramount in contributing to the overall quality of life for residents and in assisting economic regeneration.

Comment

Representation ID: 18863

Received: 15/02/2007

Respondent: BALI

General comment: An interesting and challenging document with too much jargon, and more time should have been allowed for consultation.

The Key issues are too broad and comprehensive to be useful and need subdivision. Managing waste and water are equally aspects of Theme 4 and Theme 5.Profile of Section 3 and 4 does not put enough emphasis on the environment. Section on environment and transport in profile are weak. Drivers for change well identified, although more explaining required in relation to climate change.