Question 20 re. the vision and objectives for rural areas

Comment

Representation ID: 18557

Received: 08/12/2006

Respondent: High Weald AONB Unit

It is vital to have a rural policy and vision. This should be based in large part on the needs of the landscape and countryside. To conserve and enhance the AONB requires the supporting of land management and local land based industries and activities as well as promoting the sustainable character of small rural settlements. To maintain the quality of the countryside requires traditional land management and the local housing and services to support it. A vision is required to this end rather than the current vacuum that exists in favour of the urban areas.

Comment

Representation ID: 18589

Received: 29/01/2007

Respondent: Crowhurst Parish Council

An overall vision and objectives are essential for rural communities as they feel particularly vulnerable to any change which although small in the greater scheme of things, can nevertheless fundamentally change the character of their communities. The overall guiding objective should be to preserve the character of small villages by not putting too much pressure on them through large scale housing development, increasing traffic noise and pollution and threatening them with urban sprawl. They have a special quality of life, sought out by those who choose to live in them, and worth preserving. Each option could apply in different villages throughout Rother.

Comment

Representation ID: 18606

Received: 30/01/2007

Respondent: Etchingham Parish Council

Sustainability, protecting the landscape qualities and the economic and social needs of communities.

Comment

Representation ID: 18623

Received: 31/01/2007

Respondent: Bodiam Parish Council

Acceptance by local government and incomers of the differences between rural and urban areas.

Comment

Representation ID: 18647

Received: 31/01/2007

Respondent: Rye Conservation Society

Support all the strategy directions proposed.

Comment

Representation ID: 18669

Received: 01/02/2007

Respondent: Croudace Strategic Ltd

Agent: Charles Planning Associates Limited

It is considered essential that the Core Strategy includes a specific vision and objectives for the rural areas to ensure that they also benefit from a spatial framework as set out for the urban coastal area. It is considered that the Core Strategy will need to reflect the different development pressures attributed to the coastal area and rest of District area, as created by the South East Plan. On the basis that the rural areas have slightly different issues from the more urban area to the south of the District, it is considered appropriate to create a set of specifically created objectives. Of key importance is the need to address the sensitive balance of enabling appropriate development to maintain the areas sustainability whilst taking into account constraints.

Comment

Representation ID: 18713

Received: 05/02/2007

Respondent: Mr. Nicholas Diment

We wish to support a development strategy that provides for some new residential development within rural areas (Area Strategy D). A settlement hierarchy should be identified as a basis for directing future development. It is considered that Crowhurst could support new greenfield housing development and considerable infilling as the settlement would provide a sustainable location. Planning gain from development could enhance the range of available facilities and add to the settlement's sustainability.

Comment

Representation ID: 18725

Received: 08/02/2007

Respondent: English Village Projects

Agent: Evison & Company

It is appropriate to have an overall vision for rural areas.

At the present time development limits in the adopted Local Plan have not been guided by the correct vision. In particular:

(i) no attempt has been made to identify those characteristics of individual villages which harm their appearance and character; and
(ii) no consideration has been given to how to redress such harm.

Comment

Representation ID: 18784

Received: 09/02/2007

Respondent: Home Builders Federation

It is appropriate and necessary to have an overall spatial vision for the rural areas. The guiding objective is to ensure the sustainability of rural communities through providing for their needs, in the form of housing provision. This is essential if communities are not to see further decline in service provision and vitality. The balance should be to focus rural housing growth in service centres, but where there is a need to act to support a struggling community, development should be allowed to take place at an appropriate scale.

Comment

Representation ID: 18805

Received: 13/02/2007

Respondent: The Crown Estate

Agent: Cluttons LLP

Need to retain continuity in rural areas. Exception sites are difficult to bring forward and infil plots don't provide affordable housing. An innovative approach in providing for rural areas is required. Priority should be given in creating mixed communities that support local services and employment rather than giving priority to conserving and preserving the AONB.

Comment

Representation ID: 18825

Received: 13/02/2007

Respondent: AmicusHorizon Ltd (Rother Homes)

Continued use should be made of un-used or dilapidated agricultural buildings for conversion into incubator units to provide rural employment, and that boundaries around village settlements be reviewed to provide additional building land on sites adjacent to existing settlements.

Comment

Representation ID: 18861

Received: 14/02/2007

Respondent: The National Trust

We broadly support the specific objectives for the rural areas. However these should also include support for rural diversification and the protection and enhancement of the built environment of villages including sites and features of historic interest.

Comment

Representation ID: 18878

Received: 15/02/2007

Respondent: Forestry Commission

The specific objectives noted in 16.23 are generally fine. We suggest however that woodland is added into (i). It is also important that land based activities are not only valued for their conservation activities but also for woodland giving economic viability and value to a resource.

Comment

Representation ID: 18879

Received: 15/02/2007

Respondent: Forestry Commission

Yes it is appropriate to have a vision and objectives -yet it needs to look at more than just housing development. It should also consider access to jobs and services appropriate to the rural location.

Comment

Representation ID: 18888

Received: 15/02/2007

Respondent: Strutt & Parker

It is appropriate to have specific objectives for the rural area. The suggestions at 16.23 ((a) -(o)) are laudable but not mutually compatible. Of the listed objectives, the following are not considered to be worthy of emphasis:

(a), (b), (o)

Revising this list accordingly would provide a better and more achievable balance of objectives.

Comment

Representation ID: 18919

Received: 16/02/2007

Respondent: Councillor David Vereker

It should be noted that several Rother villages use Heathfield as a service area. Employment in Agriculture and associated industries could be increasing with the new money that is moving into run down farms and estates. Strategy directions should include retaining and where possible re-establishing shops and key services in villages and affordable housing where the need has been established. I am pleased that there are no specific local policies for the inland parts of Rother, and the AONB should be protected

Comment

Representation ID: 18946

Received: 19/02/2007

Respondent: Rother Voluntary Action

There can be an overarching vision for the rural areas but with flexibility to respond to local needs. It is vital that any strategy enables a local community to retain key services to meet the needs of its residents.

Comment

Representation ID: 18972

Received: 22/02/2007

Respondent: Rother Valley Railway

The RVR will help to secure the following objectives for rural areas -(h). (I) and (n).

(h) the fostering of tourism that is compatible with and draws on the heritage and countryside qualities of rural areas

(I) improved access for basic day to day goods and services by public transport

(n) the encouragement of access to the countryside and appropriate leisure activities

The RVR has produced an Action Plan for 2007/8. This includes commissioning an independent, professional study of the impact of re-opening the Robertsbridge/ Bodiam rail link. This is a pre-requisite for a successful grant funding application.