Comment

Representation ID: 26307

Received: 17/07/2024

Respondent: Burwash Parish Council

Be explicit in wording regarding the protection of the Natural Landscape. Too open for interpretation and subjectivity. Interpretation of major/minor housing. Small numbers to count in NP.

Comment

Representation ID: 27084

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: Westfield Parish Council

See points 117-121 in the attached submission.

Comment

Representation ID: 27418

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: Catsfield Parish Council

Development boundaries are fine but in the current local plan the boundary was changed to allow development of one of the proposed sites in the village CAT0001. If the boundaries are changed to suit the plan what is the point of setting boundaries? A key objective of boundaries is to protect surrounding countryside, but small scale development outside of the boundaries and not in village centres will not necessarily have a negative impact. The key is appropriate development where it fits to suit the needs of all people, not the shoehorning of larger scale developments into village centres either within current boundaries or by changing boundaries to fit the plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 27615

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Southern Housing

As the development boundaries relate to what are considered to be “sustainable” settlements, the principle of all kinds of development should be acceptable within these areas. It may therefore be beneficial to make this clear within the policy wording.

We note that paragraph 5.118 states: “While development boundaries will normally follow physical boundaries, on occasion, the full depth of property curtilages may be excluded to make clear a policy statement that back land or in-depth development is unacceptable, often because of its additional visual or amenity impact.”. While we note the aims of this policy, we consider there to be a disparity between this and the current wording of draft Policy HOU13 (New Dwellings in the Countryside). The draft policy has the potential to make it difficult for the Council to resist back land development (please see response to Q140).

We welcome the intention to undertake a further review of development boundaries (paragraph 5.119). It’s important to ensure development is located in the most appropriate locations and the boundaries encompass suitable locations to deliver the level of growth identified in the strategy.

Comment

Representation ID: 28075

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Bellway Homes

Agent: Savills

With regards to the proposed policy on development boundaries, Bellway has some concerns over the wording proposed in the policy (DEV3). However, given the nature of this representation to encourage the allocation of the site in the ELP, no specific comments are provided at this stage. This is however on the assumption that the site will be allocated for housing and will be included within the settlement boundary.

In any event, RDC must be mindful of the overall objectives of the plan, and how this policy aligns with that, in addition to how RDC will otherwise anticipate housing and development needs meeting sufficiently met over the plan period. There is a risk that this policy could be too restrictive and not allow for the essential growth that is needed.

Bellway supports the intention of RDC to review settlement boundaries as part of the ELP process, and would expect that all site allocations are included within the revised boundaries to allow for growth to come forward quickly and effectively. RDC should consider further how it would address needs in more rural locations which may not benefit from a defined settlement boundary. In such instances, it should not be assumed that only limited development needs exist, as this could exclude groups within the community and force them away from their preferred living and working areas.

Comment

Representation ID: 28217

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: The Trust of Mrs F M Bates

Agent: Rural Planning Group

We support the inclusion of Icklesham as a settlement to have its own built-up area boundary. The boundary should be carefully scrutinized through the Local Plan process to see where increases can be made in order to support growth in this sustainable and well connected village.