Comment

Representation ID: 26187

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: Etchingham Parish Council

Probably the most startling omission is the absence of any protection for the major valleys that grace the High Weald and are largely unspoilt. The Parish Council recalls in this context the care taken by Rother planners to ensure that the development at Parsonage Croft in the village did not have any intrusive impact on the middle reaches of the river Rother. Save at Etchingham itself, the Dudwell Valley in its entirety is largely unspoilt and that too has influenced many of Rother's planning decisions over the years. The valley floors can to some extent rely on their character as flood plains, but the Parish Council is worried about the potential visual intrusion of developments on the sides of the valleys, particularly scarp slopes. The Council believes that there should be a strong presumption, possibly an outright ban, on the development even of small estates, where their presence would impinge on the two valleys. Whether this can be made general or limited to specific valleys is for consideration, but the Parish Council would urge that a policy be developed to cover the point and that Parish Councils be consulted on the valleys to be included. Etchingham would certainly argue for the policy to apply to the Limden valley as well as to the Rother and Dudwell.

Comment

Representation ID: 26190

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: Etchingham Parish Council

Another area of concern is the recent importation of massive quantities of soil onto a number of local farms e.g. Bardown at Stonegate, Sweethayes at Hurst Green, which either deliberately or simply in consequence of the scale of the importation has permanently altered the landscape. While this is of concern in itself, because the origin of the soil is unknown, it could have consequences for the current biodiverse make-up of an area. ESCC seems only interested in toxic waste and the Environment Agency seems unconcerned with the landscape effect of the licences it grants. Given the historic importance of the landscape with which we are dealing, such activity should surely be made the subject of planning application.

Comment

Representation ID: 26396

Received: 17/07/2024

Respondent: Burwash Parish Council

As above

Comment

Representation ID: 26962

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: Brede Parish Council

Everything about what’s going to be done to protect and enhance these areas
plus make them accessible and productive to the economy.

Comment

Representation ID: 27173

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: Westfield Parish Council

See points 238-239 in the attached submission.