Box 18 - Preferred Strategy for Countryside

Showing comments and forms 1 to 30 of 38

Object

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19088

Received: 11/11/2008

Respondent: Courtley Consultants Ltd

Agent: Courtley Consultants Ltd

Representation Summary:

Countryside Character

Add
(vii) improve access and recreational use of the counrtside as part of any development in Rural settlements.

Full text:

Countrysid Character

Add
(vii) improve access and recreational use of the counrtside as part of any development in Rural settlements.

Object

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19106

Received: 28/01/2009

Respondent: Mr Peter Bull

Agent: HLL Humberts Leisure

Representation Summary:

The role of leisure and recreation uses, as well as tourism, in contributing to the character of the countryside, improving access to the countryside and providing revenue for rural economies needs to be made explicit in the wording of this policy.

Full text:

Although part (b) of this policy acknowledges the role of tourism as a key sector of the countryside economy, it is felt that this needs to be widened to include all leisure and recreation pursuits compatible with a countryside location.

Part (a) of the policy acknowledges of the role of agricultural practises in shaping the local distinctiveness of the landscape. However, enterprises providing leisure and recreational pursuits also play a role in maintaining landscape character. For example, angling centres provide tranquil areas with diverse ecological habitats, supporting a wide range of flora and fauna. We recommend that Paragraph (a) (iii) of the policy be amended to make reference to "leisure and recreation activities compatible with a countryside location" alongside "agricultural practises and woodland management".

In addition, provision of leisure and recreational facilities allow for easier access to, and enjoyment of, the countryside for visitors and residents alike. Farm diversification often results in the creation of leisure and recreation uses, and paragraph (b) (i) should reflect this. Indeed, paragraph 30 of PPS7 recognises "that diversification into non-agricultural activities is vital to the continuing viability of many farm enterprises".

Rural based leisure and recreational enterprises include fisheries and angling centres, which are often found alongside agriculture and forestry. The fishery use supports the continuation of traditional farming practises such as coppicing and hay-making that serve to maintain the character of the countryside.

In addition, by providing for a tranquil recreational activity in the countryside, fisheries and angling centres have enormous potential to improve access to the countryside. Angling is increasingly popular, with 4 million people nationally participating in the sport and an estimated annual expenditure of over £3 billion a year (ref: EA Our Nation's Fisheries). Many city dwellers who would otherwise not visit the countryside do so because they visit angling centres to fish and enjoy peace and quiet.

To this end, Paragraph (a) (vi) could refer to leisure and recreation as a means of improving access to the countryside, e.g. "...working to improve access to, and enjoyment of the countryside through extending opportunities for leisure and recreation compatible with a rural environment".

In addition, Paragraph (b) (iv) should be widened to include "leisure and recreation" as well as "tourism", to ensure that all types of compatible leisure uses are fostered and continue to contribute to the countryside economy.

Object

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19120

Received: 22/01/2009

Respondent: Mrs Tamara Strapp

Representation Summary:

The huge importance of the equine industry has been forgotten in this document. On average for every one horse £4000 a year is put in to the local economy. For every four horses one groom is employed and they are supported by feedmerchants, vets, saddlers, trainers and farriers.
I therefore propose that in bii you write ..allow development of new agricultural and equine buildings provided...
Suggestion for bvi ...support the development of land based industries including woodland management and equestrian sport.

Full text:

The huge importance of the equine industry has been forgotten in this document. On average for every one horse £4000 a year is put in to the local economy. For every four horses one groom is employed and they are supported by feedmerchants, vets, saddlers, trainers and farriers.
I therefore propose that in bii you write ..allow development of new agricultural and equine buildings provided...
Suggestion for bvi ...support the development of land based industries including woodland management and equestrian sport.

Comment

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19152

Received: 26/01/2009

Respondent: Cllr Susan Prochak

Representation Summary:

The plan for a rail link between Robertsbridge and Bodiam should be included. Work has already started on extending the line from Bodiam. It is perfectly feasible to extend the Robertsbridge end to Northbridge Street. benefitting Bodiam by taking cars off the road, and giving Robertsbridge a 'unique selling point' to attract visitors and local spend.
(Hasting BC have a biodiversity officer. How will RDC support ecological habitats?)
RDC has one of the largest areas of unmanaged woodland. This would provide work and income for alternative fuel. Can this be incorporated?
Can a greater importance be given to local food producers?

Full text:

The plan for a rail link between Robertsbridge and Bodiam should be included. Work has already started on extending the line from Bodiam. It is perfectly feasible to extend the Robertsbridge end to Northbridge Street. benefitting Bodiam by taking cars off the road, and giving Robertsbridge a 'unique selling point' to attract visitors and local spend.
(Hasting BC have a biodiversity officer. How will RDC support ecological habitats?)
RDC has one of the largest areas of unmanaged woodland. This would provide work and income for alternative fuel. Can this be incorporated?
Can a greater importance be given to local food producers?

Support

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19208

Received: 28/01/2009

Respondent: Salehurst & Robertsbridge Parish Council

Representation Summary:

We Support the ELR suggestion to provide more support and encouragement for local businesses. In addition, we feel that more emphasis should be given to supporting and encouraging equestrians businesses which are an import contributor to the economy and the creation of employment in the rural areas.

Full text:

We Support the ELR suggestion to provide more support and encouragement for local businesses. In addition, we feel that more emphasis should be given to supporting and encouraging equestrians businesses which are an import contributor to the economy and the creation of employment in the rural areas.

Object

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19209

Received: 28/01/2009

Respondent: OCEAN PARCS LIMITED

Agent: Brett Drury Land & Planning

Representation Summary:

Fails to recognise the value of tourism and leisure facilities and supporting business within the countryside

Full text:

• We object to the wording of section b 'For the Countryside Economy' for making no references to tourism which is rurally based. Such businesses are supported and encouraged by policies in draft PPS4 and are essential to the rural economy across the UK and to Rother District in particular.

• Whilst the wording of section c 'For Development in the Countryside' goes some way towards recognising the value of tourism within rural areas, we object to the lack of specific references to the need to accommodate visitors within the rural communities; the countryside and the coastal areas. The last bullet point in this box should include reference to potential for expansion; for redevelopment and for improvements to tourist and leisure based activities.

• In paragraph 9.74, we object to the lack of references to Tourism South East as being the appropriate 'lead' agency for (a) the economy within villages and also for (b) the Countryside economy within the countryside itself.

Object

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19244

Received: 29/01/2009

Respondent: Park Holidays UK

Agent: Rural Solutions

Representation Summary:

Add (b) vii:

vii. Support the upgrading and improvement of holiday parks

Amend final bullet point to (c):

....,such as equestrian facilities and holiday parks.

Full text:

Add (b) vii:

vii. Support the upgrading and improvement of holiday parks


Amend final bullet point to (c):

....,such as equestrian facilities and holiday parks.

Object

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19283

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Ian Dunlop

Representation Summary:

None of the above laudable aims can be achieved if there is simultaneously house building that serves to counter all these objectives. Rother must find every device available to halt development in the AONB. We are all aware that there is an unending stream of brainless directives from central government, whether it be the ridiculously misnomered "ecotowns" or the SE Plan. Rother must find ways to indefinitely delay, postpone or reject "development" in the AONB.

Full text:

None of the above laudable aims can be achieved if there is simultaneously house building that serves to counter all these objectives.Rother must find every device available to halt development in the AONB. We are all aware that there is an unending stream of brainless directives from central government,whether it be the ridiculously misnomered "ecotowns" or the SE Plan.Rother must find ways to indefinitely delay,postpone or reject "development "in the AONB.

Object

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19321

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Town and Country Planning Solutions

Agent: Town and Country Planning Solutions

Representation Summary:

A. It needs to be made clear that the countryside policy relates to all land outside defined built up area boundaries around settlements.

B. Greater clarification is needed in relation to open market residential re-use of rural buildings. The words 'redundant' and 'agricultural' should be removed from item (b)(iii) as this is not consistent with PPS7.

C. What is the Council's policy for the re-use, redeveloped or extension of rural previously developed sites (i.e. those sites outside settlement boundaries)?

D. What is the Council's policy towards the enlargement or extension of existing dwellings/business uses located in the countryside?

Support

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19363

Received: 16/02/2009

Respondent: Natural England

Agent: Natural England

Representation Summary:

Natural England commends the Council for putting the conservation and enhancement of the landscape at the heart of the strategy.
Natural England also commends the Council for the inclusion of measures that maximises the use of renewable energy from biomass (paragraph 9.69), linking in woodland management and local timber industries.

Comment

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19387

Received: 29/01/2009

Respondent: Rother Environmental Group

Representation Summary:

We endorse the support for local agriculture.
B(i) To the list of local agricultural enterprises could be added food processing facilities and small abattoirs. The contribution local food production makes to "food security" should be mentioned.
Support should be given to renewable energy facilities and measures to conserve water.
(c) Development in the Countryside should take full advantage of the rural location for renewable energy technologies (ground source heat pumps etc) and rainwater harvesting.

Object

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19480

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Guestling Parish Council

Representation Summary:

Development of redundant agricultural buildings should be used to promote tourism, e.g. holiday lets, and not for industrial purposes which could add further congestion in the lanes.

Support

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19493

Received: 24/02/2009

Respondent: Southern Water

Representation Summary:

Southern Water recognises the need to protect designated areas from inappropriate development. However, the provision of additional water and wastewater infrastructure may be required within the designated area. PPS7 and PPS9 recognise the need for development in exceptional circumstances and that the benefits of the development outweigh the impacts on the site.

Southern Water supports the strategy direction of allowing development in certain specific circumstances.

Object

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19613

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Rother and Hastings CPRE

Representation Summary:

Page 80 Box 18 The enhancement of water resources needs to be included ,as well as the encouragement of sustainable energy production.

Support

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19690

Received: 02/03/2009

Respondent: Messrs. Chishick, Commotto and Terry

Representation Summary:

Countryside Para 9.53
We strongly endorse option 1 in the Sustainability Appraisal (paragraph 9.53). The countryside (including the undeveloped coast) is a finite and irreplaceable resource. Option 2 would be self-defeating: development would destroy the resource which is being exploited.

Support

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19691

Received: 02/03/2009

Respondent: Messrs. Chishick, Commotto and Terry

Representation Summary:

Countryside Para 9.56
We strongly support the proposal in paragraph 9.56 (new agricultural buildings). Care needs to be taken that new buildings, such as stables, are not used to introduce housing by the back door.

Support

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19693

Received: 02/03/2009

Respondent: Messrs. Chishick, Commotto and Terry

Representation Summary:

Countryside Para 9.59
We strongly support the proposal in paragraph 9.59 (priorities for conversions of farm buildings), but would make the point that some former farm buildings may not be suitable for conversion into any type of residential accommodation because, for example, of the sensitivity of their location or the requirements of residential redevelopment. The safeguards for conserving the character of the landscape and the buildings against suburbanisation and domestication that are proposed in paragraphs 9.60 and 9.62 are a vital corollary.

Support

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19694

Received: 02/03/2009

Respondent: Messrs. Chishick, Commotto and Terry

Representation Summary:

We strongly support the proposal in paragraph 9.63 on controlling caravan and chalet, equestrian and tourism sites.

Support

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19695

Received: 02/03/2009

Respondent: Messrs. Chishick, Commotto and Terry

Representation Summary:

We strongly support the proposal in paragraph 9.64 on the scale of development and their impact on the natural resources of the countryside and local amenities. This proposal should explicitly include reference to the parking and traffic consequences of new developments in the countryside.

Support

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19696

Received: 02/03/2009

Respondent: Messrs. Chishick, Commotto and Terry

Representation Summary:

We strongly support the proposal in paragraph 9.65 on preserving features which contribute positively to the landscape character of the district. It is of concern to us that the District Council has such a weak policy and record of enforcement on tree preservation .

Support

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19697

Received: 02/03/2009

Respondent: Messrs. Chishick, Commotto and Terry

Representation Summary:

We strongly support the proposal in paragraphs 9.67 and 9.68 on including land-based workers are key workers. This seems a sensible direct action in support of environmentally-sensitive land management and the local economy.

Support

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19698

Received: 02/03/2009

Respondent: Messrs. Chishick, Commotto and Terry

Representation Summary:

We strongly support the proposal in paragraph 9.70 to encourage and support farm shops and farmers' markets. However, this support needs to be conditional on these terms being used with integrity. It is currently possible, and there are many examples of, farm shops being sourced largely, if not entirely, from the same wholesalers as village shops, and having little or no connection to neighbouring farms (there is an example close to Winchelsea). Farmers' markets can include suppliers who are not local. Customers expect farm shops to sell the produce of neighbouring farms and farmers' markets to sell food from within a few miles. Abuse of the terms farm shop and farmers' market will undermine these facilities. In return for support, farm shops and the organisers of farmers' markets need to observe a code of best practice to ensure they are bona fide.

Object

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19699

Received: 02/03/2009

Respondent: Messrs. Chishick, Commotto and Terry

Representation Summary:

Given the widespread concern in village and other rural communities about traffic, we feel that a specific test of any development must be the minimisation of car journeys. Developments which generate traffic, particularly in sensitive or already overburdened areas, need to be discouraged.

(c) For Development in the Countryside
Specific reference needs to be made to preserving the landscape setting and not putting unacceptable pressure on facilities and amenities, including local roads. More of the Strategy Directions should be incorporated here.

Object

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19700

Received: 02/03/2009

Respondent: Messrs. Chishick, Commotto and Terry

Representation Summary:

(a) For Countryside Character and Amenity

We are surprised that there is no reference here and elsewhere to the High Weald AONB Management Plan. This seems central.

Strategy (vi) ---which should perhaps be (iv) ---needs to be balanced by a commitment to manage, minimise and mitigate the consequences of access to the countryside, eg traffic, parking, litter, signage and erosion.

Comment

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19840

Received: 04/02/2009

Respondent: Crowhurst Society

Representation Summary:

Box 18
What exactly does b)I mean? Rather too woolly.
c The whole of this section is vital if villages are to survive. Villages also need a context and the wearing away of their landscape by fringe development eventually destroys the village itself.

Comment

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19841

Received: 04/02/2009

Respondent: Crowhurst Society

Representation Summary:

9.49 Has any financial value has been put on the natural as opposed to the built environment?
9.53 -the second option is not acceptable.
9.67 What assistance does RDC give to key workers in general?
9.72 Flood defences for Crowhurst -.: a priority . Traffic calming also a priority .
9.73 Good to see Parish Councils included.

Comment

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19862

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Farm Crisis Network

Representation Summary:

With the present economic downturn the LOCAL PRODUCTION OF FOOD WILL BE INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT- every person needs to eat !

We need to cut down on the unnecessary transportation of food & encourage production on Farms, Small-holdings & Allotments .

QUERY~ Are more allotments needed ?

Reference should be made to the DEFRA Document -FARMING & FOOD- and some of the key recommendations in that should be incorporated in the Rother Core Strategy

FARMERS are generally old and stressed. There should be strategies to take care of these issues AND the need to train the next generation of farmers/ food producers/ Land Managers

Encourage Young Farmers clubs & FRESH START ACADEMIES. ( Good occupation for Rural Youth )

9.55 YES...ALSO HORTICULTURE

9.60/64 - Small hamlets can sometimes be helpful
1) To make small villages more viable as communities
2) To remove the NIMBY complaints when it is proposed to extend villages.

9.70 WELL SAID!

Box 18 - Good, but suggest the addition of FOOD PRODUCTION.
(b) (iv) Tourism....CHURCHES & other historic buildings are a great asset. Help with repair and maintenance needs to be considered.

Comment

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 19863

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Mrs Tamara Strapp

Representation Summary:

Equestrian businesses are now contributing a large amount to the local economy in terms of jobs. I therefore believe that these businesses merit a similar planning trea1ment to agricultural and woodland enterprises.

Attached is part of a study conducted by the High Weald Bridleways Group on the contribution of horse enterprise to jobs, investment and tourism. The full study can be found on the organisation's web site http://www.highwealdbridlewaysgroup.org.uk/ Then go to bottom left link.

The figures research show that in this area average spend per horse is £4000 a year .Much of this supports other rural businesses such as forage makers, fencing suppliers and farriers. This was in 2003 and prices have gone up considerably since then. Also the horse owning population has grown considerably since then.

I ulderstand that counlcils in other parts of the Counltry have already taken steps to encourage sustainable equestrian enterprises and hope that Rother will do the same.

Object

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 20053

Received: 29/01/2009

Respondent: Laurence Keeley

Representation Summary:

People owning second homes create a problem with local people not being able to buy a home, therefore they move away. We are losing the village community way of life.

Object

Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Representation ID: 20192

Received: 21/01/2009

Respondent: The National Trust

Representation Summary:

Paragraph b) iii relating to the re-use of redundant and historic farm buildings requires clarification to the effect that market housing can be considered as an option.