Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
Representation ID: 24744
Received: 31/05/2024
Respondent: Sedlescombe Parish Council
Consider the cost to developers of the additional requirements and how this may suppress building through increases costs?
Please see attached comments on draft Local Plan, including Brede Valley Landscape Assessment and East Sussex Landscape Assessment.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
Representation ID: 25138
Received: 11/07/2024
Respondent: Mrs Emma Weller
The snappy punchline of 'Green to the core' and 'Live well locally' is a bold attempt to show a commitment to protecting rural communities and local ecology but your HELAA land allocation of CAT0001 and potential site CAT0016 in Catsfield fly in the face of these claims/promises.
The proposal of 60 new houses (some proposing to be built on protected AONB land) in this small rural village (doubling the size of the main village), is absolutely shocking and I object strongly to these sites being included for allocation in this plan.
These proposals would not only destroy ancient woodland, biodiversity and protected wildlife habitats, they would also severely impact the lives of local residents with increased pollution and a serious decline in the already insufficient utilties and local infrastructure.
The snappy punchline of 'Green to the core' and 'Live well locally' is a bold attempt to show a commitment to protecting rural communities and local ecology but your HELAA land allocation of CAT0001 and potential site CAT0016 in Catsfield fly in the face of these claims/promises.
The proposal of 60 new houses (some proposing to be built on protected AONB land) in this small rural village (doubling the size of the main village), is absolutely shocking and I object strongly to these sites being included for allocation in this plan.
These proposals would not only destroy ancient woodland, biodiversity and protected wildlife habitats, they would also severely impact the lives of local residents with increased pollution and a serious decline in the already insufficient utilties and local infrastructure.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
Representation ID: 25236
Received: 11/07/2024
Respondent: Miss Laura Flanigan
Key Objections
Loss of ancient hedgerows featuring protected wildlife, veteran trees and endangered flora and fauna
North Trade Road and the High Street are already heavily congested, and poorly maintained (lots more traffic and potholes!)
Effects on the heritage of our historic market town and listed buildings, leading to urban sprawl
Decimation of Grade A viable farmland
The development would destroy the AONB
Key Objections
Loss of ancient hedgerows featuring protected wildlife, veteran trees and endangered flora and fauna
North Trade Road and the High Street are already heavily congested, and poorly maintained (lots more traffic and potholes!)
Effects on the heritage of our historic market town and listed buildings, leading to urban sprawl
Decimation of Grade A viable farmland
The development would destroy the AONB
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
Representation ID: 25246
Received: 11/07/2024
Respondent: Mr Nigel Pollard
It is to be hoped that the eventual granting of planning permissions will include the need to include climate friendly elements such as photo-electric roofing on all new builds, subterranean tanks for brown water storage to alleviate rainwater runoff and pressure on the pumped mains water.
Firstly, my congratulations on the clarity and thoroughness of the planning process and the presentation at the exhibition(s).
While I appreciate that you are still at the general planning stages, I believe it is important to include consideration of the following:
1) Infrastructure: (Completion of the link between Queensway and the A21 in St Leonards is essential to support the attraction of potential businesses to the proposed industrial units). The utilities seem to struggle to support the with existing demand e.g. water storage and supply, mobile signal coverage, EV charging etc. Can these be fixed before adding to the burden?
2) Roads: Experience from when the link road was under construction shows that alternative routes receive a punishing load from diverted traffic for which, judging by the damage caused, they were not constructed. No attempt has been made to repair the damage which ought to be part of the overall planning (e.g. Woodsgate Park while the Sidley bridge was rebuilt). Such damage mitigates against the plans for greater use of bicycle transport for instance.
3) Housing density: I understand that the underprovision of parking spaces is deliberate to try to force people to use public transport instead. This does, however, lead to increased use/need to park cars on the roads and pavements hindering pedestrians and those with disabilities, and adding to the sense of claustrophobia caused by the higher density housing - hardly contributing to well-being.
4) Types of accommodation: It is to be hoped that the eventual granting of planning permissions will include the need to include climate friendly elements such as photo-electric roofing on all new builds, subterranean tanks for brown water storage to alleviate rainwater runoff and pressure on the pumped mains water.
5) Need for affordable housing: What is the cause of the pressure? Can we ensure that any such dwellings are used for local people and not swallowed up by private landlords, 2nd home owners or more distant local authorities to fulfil their own housing shortfalls?
6) Location of proposed schools and medical units: Again, this probably belongs further down the line of the planning permissions but, for the former, the safe delivery and collection of students needs to be built into the infrastructure. For the latter, the demographics need to be taken into account. With a significantly high proportion of elderly residents, access to any medical units needs to be on the level, i.e. without steep ramps or steps to negotiate. The Cooden Sea Road surgery fails on both these aspects and parking for the disabled or mobility impaired is also notable by its absence - most parking spaces are taken up by long stay blockers (staff? local shop workers? residents?).
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
Representation ID: 25735
Received: 22/07/2024
Respondent: Miss Judith Rogers
The plan should include a clause to stop the 'drip feeding' of a site so that each phase of the development stays under the 10 houses thus making each phase able to duck these requirements.
Before deciding where future development should take place, a carbon or emissions study should be done so that the current situation of each village is known and building concentrated in area where there is less impact. For example. Robertsbridge has already seen it's carbon footprint increased with the approval of the steam railway, which detracts considerably from any savings that may be made by individual homes.
The plan should include a clause to stop the 'drip feeding' of a site so that each phase of the development stays under the 10 houses thus making each phase able to duck these requirements.
Before deciding where future development should take place, a carbon or emissions study should be done so that the current situation of each village is known and building concentrated in area where there is less impact. For example. Robertsbridge has already seen it's carbon footprint increased with the approval of the steam railway, which detracts considerably from any savings that may be made by individual homes.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
Representation ID: 25825
Received: 22/07/2024
Respondent: Beckley Parish Council
Regarding water efficiency: it has been suggested that we build fresh water spring ground water outlets in the villages and town, some already have them. In times of water shortages and rationing, we need an infinite supply, people have animals they need to keep alive for one. I have been told that when we have water cuts, some people take over 100 of the water bottles provided because of this, meaning that supply is finite and plastic is being used wastefully. If we are talking about green to the core and living well locally, fresh water is paramount, I personally feel this should be a priority. This type of forward thinking and achievement by the local authorities will be hailed by many.
Additionally, there are many unused wells in people's gardens, private land and on farms etc, if we are to take water efficiency seriously, then this is a no-brainer.
Regarding water efficiency: it has been suggested that we build fresh water spring ground water outlets in the villages and town, some already have them. In times of water shortages and rationing, we need an infinite supply, people have animals they need to keep alive for one. I have been told that when we have water cuts, some people take over 100 of the water bottles provided because of this, meaning that supply is finite and plastic is being used wastefully. If we are talking about green to the core and living well locally, fresh water is paramount, I personally feel this should be a priority. This type of forward thinking and achievement by the local authorities will be hailed by many.
Additionally, there are many unused wells in people's gardens, private land and on farms etc, if we are to take water efficiency seriously, then this is a no-brainer.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
Representation ID: 25965
Received: 23/07/2024
Respondent: Justin Walker
Reinstitute Authority-run Building Control to drive up build standards.
Reinstitute Authority-run Building Control to drive up build standards.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
Representation ID: 26083
Received: 23/07/2024
Respondent: Catesby Estates
Please refer to our full representations
Please refer to our full representations
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
Representation ID: 26231
Received: 17/07/2024
Respondent: Burwash Parish Council
More emphasis should be placed on modern construction methods.
Please see attached comments from Burwash Parish Council.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
Representation ID: 26575
Received: 29/07/2024
Respondent: Stephen Nicholls
Yes, more rental housing that will reduce the escalation of rents by private landlords, that then has a
knock on affect to increase house prices beyond sustainable levels, that then leads to inflation. RDC
should be building more affordable rented accommodation, but on brownfield sites, or at least
outside of the HWNL.
Please see attached submission.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
Representation ID: 26715
Received: 23/07/2024
Respondent: Rother Environmental Group
Additional policy:
Policy GTC1 Is the first of several policies which refer to achieving or matching certain current environmental standards or criteria. Given the life of the Plan to 2040, we suggest a general policy regarding any non-statutory standards/criteria referred to, that if any such standards/criteria are increased at any time during the lifetime of this Local Plan, then the Local Plan shall automatically adopt such higher standards/criteria
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
Representation ID: 26891
Received: 22/07/2024
Respondent: Brede Parish Council
So far it seems very comprehensive, but no mention of where all the money to
support it is coming from
Full submission attached.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
Representation ID: 26978
Received: 22/07/2024
Respondent: Northiam Parish Council
All new developments should be required to have roof-mounted photovoltaic cells and developments should be designed to maximise efficiency.
NPC is also concerned that, in smaller developments, the necessary additional consultancy needed to meet the required planning application information may act as a deterrent to development, particularly in Rother where we wish to encourage smaller -10 homes sites to meet rural needs.
See attached.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
Representation ID: 27034
Received: 22/07/2024
Respondent: Westfield Parish Council
See point 21 in the attached submission.
Please see attached document for the full submission from Westfield Parish Council.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
Representation ID: 27381
Received: 22/07/2024
Respondent: Catsfield Parish Council
See Q5 and opening comments about the policies not being relevant to rural areas.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
Representation ID: 27687
Received: 25/07/2024
Respondent: Home Office
Agent: Avison Young
We acknowledge that the Council wishes to produce a plan that sets out ambitious and bold objectives in relation to the environment including climate change and biodiversity and support this approach. However we would encourage the Council to robustly test these targets and objectives to ensure that the proposed plan is deliverable and enables viable development to come forward. The Plan acknowledges at para 8.34 that “development viability remains a key consideration throughout the district and has worsened in recent years… policies need to be realistic and deliverable.”
Proposed Policy GTC1 “Net Zero Building Standards” sets out various targets in relation to total energy use, BREEAM ratings and maximum space heating demands. It also sets standards that new development should meet in respect of embodied carbon and whole life carbon. Again the Home Office is supportive of the Council’s ambitions to increase the environmental sustainability of new development but would encourage the Council to consider these in the context of other proposed policy requirements, including affordable housing, to ensure they can be delivered, particularly on brownfield sites, where viability may be marginal. It is critical for local plan deliverability to ensure that the policies do not threaten the viability of new development, or include an appropriate mechanism for viability to be taken into account, where viability is an issue.
See attached documents which comprise the full submission.
In summary, the Home Office:
• acknowledges the proposed removal of the residential allocation (Policy BEX10 of the adopted Local Plan) which relates to the site, given the current ownership of the site by the Home Office, but wishes to ensure that its removal does not hinder the future effective use of the site supporting a brownfield first approach;
• requests that the development boundary for Bexhill incorporates the former HMP Northeye site and consideration is given to the area of Built Form shown within the Settlement Study in this part of Bexhill as the appropriate development boundary for this part of Bexhill;
• requests that environmental targets in the draft plan are aligned with national planning policy and have a robust evidence base to justify any increased requirement, especially where additional policy requirements could make development unviable and potentially delay the ability of landowners to bring appropriate sites forward for development.