Comment

Representation ID: 25526

Received: 17/07/2024

Respondent: National Highways

Please see attached comments

Comment

Representation ID: 26503

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: Mr Brian Cope

Vision for Bexhill.
"Supporting infrastructure will be delivered to serve the growing local and wider communities that live, work, and visit the area."

"Connections and accessibility to settlements that are in close proximity to Bexhill will be enhanced through improved public transport, active travel and road networks".

How can a district council possibly deliver this? You have no control over the utility networks, highways, road or rail services, doctors and dentist surgeries, hospitals etc. Existing infrastructure is already under pressure or inadequate so adding additional homes and commercial space will only exacerbate these problems and make "Live Well Locally" a mockery.

"Growth will only occur in areas that are well connected to the existing transport network, and this will help deliver improvements to the junctions and design of the existing A259 and other key routes."

The A259 Trunk Road between Eastbourne and Hastings is the main coastal east/west route through the district. It is therefore already under pressure and the recent Rosewood development has only added to that problem. The current development west of Ashridge Court Care Home will only add to congestion levels as will any future permitted development that has it access onto the A259. When road works or accidents occur anywhere along the section of the A259 between Little Common and the Pevensey roundabout, a not uncommon occurrence, gridlock ensues due to the alternative route of Sluice Lane/Herbrand Walk being unsuitable for larger vehicles or requiring a lengthy detour via Ninfield and Herstmonceux.

The A259 being part of the Strategic Network is manged by National Highways, not the district council so it is not in a position to "help deliver improvements to the junctions and design of the existing A259 and other key routes."

I appreciate the necessity of a draft plan and the pressure from central government to provide housing. However I fear that the end result of this or any Draft Plan is that the District Council will find itself having to approve more housing without being able to ensure any improvements in the infrastructure needed to "Live Well Locally".

Comment

Representation ID: 28159

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

It is suggested that the Vision for Bexhill should include the following suggested text:

‘Connections and accessibility to settlements that are in close proximity to Bexhill will be enhanced through improved public transport, active travel and road networks. This will ensure that wider services and facilities can continue to be accessed, enabling residents to live well locally *and have healthy lifestyles*.’

It is suggested that the vision should also include the following text to acknowledge the existing health inequalities in Bexhill: *There will be improvements to health inequalities and wellbeing enabling communities to lead healthy and active lifestyles*.

Comment

Representation ID: 28248

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Environment Agency

The Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme is not mentioned anywhere within the Bexhill chapter. This scheme will manage the 15km stretch of coastline over the next 100 years.

Reducing coastal flood and erosion risk to properties and infrastructure in the scheme area requires action. Alongside making the area more resilient to coastal flooding, we want to deliver interventions that will benefit the wider community and environment. We are working with a wide range of organisations and local communities.

This scheme covers the far south-west corner of Rother's coastline, from Norman’s Bay to Cooden. We recommend you explore the impact this may have on the Bexhill policy area outlined in the Local Plan, and any identified opportunities to deliver the priorities set out within the Local Plan, and work with neighbouring authorities also covered by the scheme to deliver wider benefits for this stretch of coastline.

See full text attached.