Core Strategy Issues & Options

Comment

Representation ID: 18807

Received: 13/02/2007

Respondent: AmicusHorizon Ltd (Rother Homes)

We consider the broad themes; key issues; profile; and drivers for change, as contained within the document, to be accurate and appropriate.

Comment

Representation ID: 18808

Received: 13/02/2007

Respondent: AmicusHorizon Ltd (Rother Homes)

It is considered that' greater focus to sustaining strong, safe and supportive communities' and 'promoting more leisure and cultural opportunities as a basis for healthy community life' might be considered as aims within the Local Plan

Comment

Representation ID: 18809

Received: 13/02/2007

Respondent: AmicusHorizon Ltd (Rother Homes)

A range of affordable accommodation is needed across the whole district, but particular emphasis needs to be placed on rural settlements and small villages where rented housing and affordable housing have virtually ceased to exist. The range of accommodation needs to be determined by the Housing Needs Survey. In rural areas the support of the Parish is crucial and work need to be undertaken to convince rural communities of the need for affordable housing, and to persuade landowners to make suitable land available or to donate suitable land. Local Lettings Policies can be very useful in persuading local communities.

Comment

Representation ID: 18810

Received: 13/02/2007

Respondent: AmicusHorizon Ltd (Rother Homes)

We encourage home working by providing home working spaces in many new dwellings. This also has the advantage of reducing car usage.

Comment

Representation ID: 18811

Received: 13/02/2007

Respondent: AmicusHorizon Ltd (Rother Homes)

It needs to be appreciated that affordable housing in small villages or rural settlements is likely to be occupied by persons with lower than average incomes. For such accommodation to be viable, there needs to be a range of facilities, or access to a range of facilities. If such facilities do not exist within the village or settlement there needs to be a regular rural bus services or community bus services to provide access to larger villages and urban conurbations, and in particular, to create a link to employment, schools, shops, and surgeries.

Comment

Representation ID: 18812

Received: 13/02/2007

Respondent: AmicusHorizon Ltd (Rother Homes)

The main physical requirements of new housing are comfort; security; and economy of fuel use. All new affordable housing schemes are built to minimum internal floor area sizes and many are built to Eco-Homes 'Very Good' standard which requires enhanced insulation and intrinsic fuel economy. We are also looking at including further efficiency measures such as rainwater harvesting and solar panels.

Comment

Representation ID: 18813

Received: 13/02/2007

Respondent: AmicusHorizon Ltd (Rother Homes)

It is considered that all new development needs to' fit in' with the existing environment (ie be built to the village vernacular).

Regarding the locations in which new affordable housing is built, it needs to help sustain community life and needs access to facilities (see comments elsewhere).

Comment

Representation ID: 18814

Received: 13/02/2007

Respondent: AmicusHorizon Ltd (Rother Homes)

All rural communities need regular public transport links to shops, employment, schools, and surgeries.

Gas providers should be encouraged to extend gas supplies to all villages.

Recycling facilities should be extended to smaller villages.

Comment

Representation ID: 18815

Received: 13/02/2007

Respondent: AmicusHorizon Ltd (Rother Homes)

Specifically we think that something needs to be added to the general principles in respect of affordable housing. For example 'Using housing needs statistics to identify and substantiate the need for affordable housing across the district and particularly in rural settlements and small villages' .

Comment

Representation ID: 18816

Received: 13/02/2007

Respondent: AmicusHorizon Ltd (Rother Homes)

Our only comment is that given the existing age structure within the Rother district, economic growth might intensify the need for extra affordable accommodation because of inward migration.