Core Strategy Issues & Options

Comment

Representation ID: 18752

Received: 09/02/2007

Respondent: PREM (Rooster) Limited

Agent: Montagu Evans

Within the District there are three towns and only seven larger villages that can be expected to be a focus for community services and facilities. It also shows that the towns and only Robertsbridge are situated on major road and rail links.

The key issue of the provision of community infrastructure and facilities is recognised It is submitted that one way of ensuring both the provision and success of both community facilities and local businesses is to allow future growth to be directed towards those communities that are sustainable and currently have such facilities.

Comment

Representation ID: 18753

Received: 09/02/2007

Respondent: PREM (Rooster) Limited

Agent: Montagu Evans

5.24 The recognition that 'intermediate housing' should have a role to play in the provision of affordable accommodation in the District is welcomed.

5.25 The suggestion that a greater proportion of family housing should be provided in support of balanced communities is supported.

In response to the Question 4 at the conclusion of this section, it is submitted that one of the best ways of encouraging local rural businesses and facilities is to ensure that they have a chance of being well used and therefore profitable by allowing for growth to be accommodated in the larger village settlements.

Comment

Representation ID: 18754

Received: 09/02/2007

Respondent: PREM (Rooster) Limited

Agent: Montagu Evans

Support continued focus of economic regeneration and employment on the Sussex Coast area.

Existing policies safeguard employment sites and suggest that the lack of new accommodation coming forward may require this position to be maintained. Each case should be judged on its own merits and following a period of marketing to explore market demand for the site, it should be recognised that an alternative use or mixed development scheme should be progressed.

Support mixed-use schemes, which can help to achieve viable commercial developments.

Should encourage small business units and â€~live-work’ units.

Comment

Representation ID: 18755

Received: 09/02/2007

Respondent: PREM (Rooster) Limited

Agent: Montagu Evans

The Council accept that the Bexhill-Hastings Link road is vital to support the proposed housing and business development for North Bexhill.

Without the housing numbers allocated to this area, the overall housing target for the District cannot be met by the due dates. The potential for other, non-allocated sites to provide further units up to 2011 and beyond should be taken forward positively by the Council. Non-action at this stage will only compound the existing problems of a lack of affordable housing and low build rates in meeting the regional targets.

Comment

Representation ID: 18756

Received: 09/02/2007

Respondent: PREM (Rooster) Limited

Agent: Montagu Evans

Current Local Plan policy that seeks to prevent loss of shops that provide a vital service to a local community is noted. It is submitted that the chances of the economic survival of such shop units and services is best enhanced by ensuring that growth provided for within the rural areas is directed to those larger villages and the rural towns that currently have facilities.

Contributions from developers as a planning obligation must meet all the tests as set out in Circular OS/2005: Planning Obligations. An identified 'need' does not automatically mean that a developer should provide for the 'need' from any particular development

Comment

Representation ID: 18757

Received: 09/02/2007

Respondent: PREM (Rooster) Limited

Agent: Montagu Evans

Support is given in particular to the principles of making the best use of land through the re-use of previously developed land and buildings and that a sufficient supply of housing land is made available. This is particularly important in the District given the delays in the construction of the Bexhill Hastings Link Road.

Comment

Representation ID: 18758

Received: 09/02/2007

Respondent: PREM (Rooster) Limited

Agent: Montagu Evans

The draft S E Plan targets the construction of 280 residential units per year within the District. This is above the build rate during 1991-2006 and suggests that the figure may not be achieved.

Whilst the majority of these are due to be built in the coastal belt, flexibility between the two 'areas' of the District should be maintained, making the best use of all available opportunities as arise. Where a brownfield, which may well be a 'windfall' site, comes forward for redevelopment, its potential should be fully utilised.

Comment

Representation ID: 18759

Received: 09/02/2007

Respondent: PREM (Rooster) Limited

Agent: Montagu Evans

The mill site at Robertsbridge should be included for residential development. It is an opportunity for redevelopment within the village boundary.

The Local Public Inquiry Inspector stated that this was a suitable site for development but there had been inadequate investigation of its suitability for continuing employment use or of the form which redevelopment might take. If continued employment use of the whole site is shown not to be feasible, there should be a preference for mixed-use including employment.

The site has since been marketed and further work carried out. The site should be included in the assessment of likely supply on previously developed land and buildings.

Comment

Representation ID: 18760

Received: 09/02/2007

Respondent: PREM (Rooster) Limited

Agent: Montagu Evans

There has been a loss of local facilities and lack of affordable housing is a problem.

Redevelopment of the Robertsbridge Mill site would provide the opportunity to re-use land for local affordable housing.

Redevelopment of sites for housing or mixed-use schemes provides opportunities for people to stay in the villages and potentially for some small-scale employment opportunities. Opportunities within rural areas should not be ignored.

Development in rural areas should focus on service centres. Larger villages, with good rail and road connections, should take the major share of development to ensure that local facilities and businesses have support.