Comment

Representation ID: 26309

Received: 17/07/2024

Respondent: Burwash Parish Council

Evidence required for appropriate marketing could be outlined in detail to show proof of marketing.

Comment

Representation ID: 26464

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: NHS Property Services

Where it can be demonstrated that health facilities are surplus to requirements or will be changed
as part of wider NHS estate reorganisation and service transformation programmes, it should be
accepted that a facility is neither needed nor viable for its current use, and policies within the Local
Plan should support the principle of alternative uses for NHS sites with no requirement for retention
of a community facility use on the land. To ensure the Plan is positively prepared and effective,
NHSPS are seeking the following modification (shown in italics) to Draft Policy DEV4 to ensure the
principle of alternative uses for NHS land and property will be fully supported:
Proposed Modification to Draft Policy DEV4
Where healthcare facilities are formally declared surplus to the operational healthcare
requirements of the NHS or identified as surplus as part of a published estates strategy or service
transformation plan, the requirements listed under Policy DEV4 point i and ii will not apply.

Comment

Representation ID: 26672

Received: 29/07/2024

Respondent: Stephen Nicholls

I am not an expert in this field, but I have travelled considerably throughout Europe where I have seen
successful integration of housing and light commercial operation, offices etc. We tend not to do that
in this country, but with the growth of the internet and decline of the high street this seems to me to
be an initiative that needs to be taken sooner, rather than later to avoid the towns turning into dust
bowls with tumbleweed in the streets. Big emphasis needs to be placed on making provision for the
elderly in towns where they can be near to shops and amenities. Better pedestrianisation measures
should also be considered.

Comment

Representation ID: 26673

Received: 29/07/2024

Respondent: Stephen Nicholls

Where change of use relates to countryside land, such as changing, say a farm building into a housing
estate, then the challenge to meet the green to the core commitments and to ensure we do not give
up valuable food growing opportunities are other considerations. Change of use from virgin
agricultural land to land available for building must be discouraged. It's not just a case of advertising
for a buyer for 18 months, but I do believe that change of use can play it’s part, certainly on sites that
are developed already and I have suggested a couple above.

Comment

Representation ID: 27086

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: Westfield Parish Council

See points 122-125 in the attached submission.

Comment

Representation ID: 27654

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Southern Housing

We support the aims of this policy in principle. 18 months of marketing is the timeframe often required by councils when considering the loss of community and other types of important uses. However, it may be beneficial to provide some evidence on why this period is appropriate for Rother. Details regarding the type of marketing required may also be beneficial. This should be based on evidence and could be included as an Appendix to the plan – see the attached example from the London Borough of Wandsworth.