10. Communities

Object

Representation ID: 19260

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Aroncorp Ltd

Agent: Broadlands

With reference to paragraph 10.17, the calculation to support this assertion should be set out in the Strategy, perhaps in an Appendix or a cross reference provided to the appropriate evidence base document as it is not clear, with the proposed housing strategy for both Rye and Bexhill, how the proposed lowering of the threshold would yield over 100 extra affordable dwellings in the period 2006 - 2026.

Support

Representation ID: 19504

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Guestling Parish Council

Aims in Box 19 are admirable. The empty homes action plan seems a good idea. The point made in paragraph 10.7 and mentioned above regarding in-migrants will tend to overwhelm attempts to provide "affordable housing". Either building continues until the area's "natural assets" are so depleted that the attraction to in-migrants is gone or there is some kind of rationing imposed. Neither of these seems attractive options. In-migration and a tendency for youth and talent to be drawn to areas with better opportunity will perpetuate the existing trend. Raising the earning ability of those who remain to be able to compete with in-migrants may be a solution.
The points raised on housing mix to match household composition are important. However, quality and location is as important as number of bed-rooms in this mix. The cost and ease of moving home and the option of staying in the same neighbourhood are important issues that also impact population mobility.

Comment

Representation ID: 19533

Received: 25/02/2009

Respondent: Beulah Baptist Church

12. SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES - what is society?
The people of all age groups - All being given respect and consideration for wellbeing.
Good mix of suitable housing, suitable for singles, married with children, single parents with children. Do not concentrate just on elderly but provide adequate choise. Encourage people to be good citizens to keep crime down. Neighbourhood Watch Schemes to be encouraged

Comment

Representation ID: 19543

Received: 25/02/2009

Respondent: Councillor Michael Ensor

The second significant omission from the LDF is a section on family life in Bexhill and how this will change over the coming 20 years. It has been proven that a strong family structure provides the best environment for the nurture of children, and this has a resultant improvement in education achievement and a consequential reduction in crime, there should be a positive statement in the Rother LDF in support of the family structure.

Comment

Representation ID: 19547

Received: 25/02/2009

Respondent: Councillor Michael Ensor

The building of the Bexhill Hastings Link Road (BHLR) is seen as a prerequisite for any additional housing development. The creation of the North East Bexhill (Worsham estate) is the most desirable solution. Affordable accommodation is important, it is nevertheless alarming that the LDF is looking to raise the proportion of 1-2 bedded apartments to a staggering 82% of all new build (page 91, para 10.35), with a suggestion that there is a concealed 98.3%. If 40% of all new build will be affordable, which will be most attractive to young families, then these should also provide affordable accommodation for 3-4 bedrooms.

The LDF should give greater clarity of the way the housing mix will support family life and not assume the continuation of the breakdown of the family into single parent units.

Comment

Representation ID: 19552

Received: 25/02/2009

Respondent: Councillor Michael Ensor

In the Community chapter there should be a stronger reference to the earlier report of "Pride of Place" and that the theme of strengthening the Community Life, with a strong Social Inclusion objective, should be a primary driver for the Rother LDF.

There is limited reference to the Voluntary Sector for the contribution that Clubs and Societies make in building the community, and there is no reference to the Faith Communities that offer a means of building relationships within the community.

The role of the Faith Communities to sustain the well being of the family should be acknowledged and supported. This will be relevant with the building of the new Worsham estate with the need for a strong community focus and a worshipping community.

Comment

Representation ID: 19786

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

Para. 10.59 requires amendment as follows:

"New education facilities are already in the pipeline such as a replacement primary school at Etchingham on a new site and a replacement primary school in Hurst Green on the same site.

A replacement for the Bexhill High School is underway, and the replacement primary school at Rye has been completed".

Comment

Representation ID: 19788

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

CRIME REDUCTION and PREVENTION
Para. 10.71 refers to:
• "Replacement and/or relocation of Education facilities (as covered in relevant spatial strategy sections)"
It is unclear where these 'relevant spatial strategy sections' are within the document and what exactly has been covered. In addition should this refer to 'relevant preferred strategy sections'?
Para. 10.72 refers to "The use of planning obligations" and "New guidance on Developer Contributions". As mentioned above, this would be better worded as "The use of planning obligations such as the requirement for development contributions".
Para.10.73 refers to a table on page 95. The 'lead agencies/partners' with regard to 'Younger People' should include East Sussex Children's Trust.

Comment

Representation ID: 19799

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

COMMUNITIES

Para 10.72:
Having regard to the Government's CIL proposals a) The 2nd bullet should be amended to read "New SPD on development contributions"; and,
b) The 7th bullet should be deleted

Comment

Representation ID: 19842

Received: 04/02/2009

Respondent: Crowhurst Society

10.3 Why is the order as it is? Is provision for travellers really more important than providing for the young and the old? OR is this perhaps a politically correct listing!

Comment

Representation ID: 19848

Received: 04/02/2009

Respondent: Crowhurst Society

10.73 Parish Councils have disappeared again!

Object

Representation ID: 19939

Received: 28/01/2009

Respondent: The Theatres Trust

We do not support this document in its present form as it has no draft policies for the development of arts and culture in the District. We have also noted that there is no mention of the Egerton Park project which should be included in the Bexhill section. Althought the document covers sport and recreation it does not include arts and cultural facilities. It is unclear how the Core Strategy or subsequent DPDs might provide existing cultural facilities any protection from closure, decline or enhancement.

Object

Representation ID: 19940

Received: 28/01/2009

Respondent: The Theatres Trust

It is not clear whether the term 'community facilities' incorporates arts and cultural facilities. For clarity we suggest a description of 'community facilities' should be included either in the text or in a Glossary and we recommend community facilities include the cultural needs of the community.

Object

Representation ID: 19967

Received: 29/01/2009

Respondent: Rye Allotments Association

Object to the 20 minutes walk time.
Delete the recommendation that the "walk time" to allotments in Rye should be 20 minutes, and revert to 15 minutes as was the previous standard.
Council officials have made a serious mistake over the relationship between car ownerhsip and cultivation of allotments.

Object

Representation ID: 20241

Received: 27/01/2009

Respondent: Crowhurst Park

Agent: Kember Loudon Williams Ltd

Paragraphs 10.11 to 10.15

For clarity and consistency, affordable housing provision should be at no more than 40% District-wide. For larger allocations this figure should align with the recommendations in the South East Plan at 35%, which will assist in bringing sites forward for development.

Object

Representation ID: 20242

Received: 27/01/2009

Respondent: Crowhurst Park

Agent: Kember Loudon Williams Ltd

Paragraph 10.30

For larger housing sites, it is considered that affordable housing provision should be consistently applied between allocated and other types of site at a level to reflect those recommended in the South East Plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 20357

Received: 12/01/2009

Respondent: Sussex Enterprise

Paragraphs 10.54 to 10.60

Businesses in Rother must have a steady pool of talent ready to be drawn upon.

Sussex Enterprise supports the proposed investment in education and training.

Employers are concerned by skills shortages and in some cases employees lack very basic skills that leads to the full potential of the business not being met. 60% believe schoolleavers lack basic numeracy and literacy.

Comment

Representation ID: 20493

Received: 29/01/2009

Respondent: Country Land and Business Association - CLA

Comment that support is given to the concept of cross subsidy of open market housing on affordable housing exception sites. Consider though there needs to be flexibility in respect of thresholds and percentates of affordable housing on the basis of need.