Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Object

Representation ID: 20445

Received: 29/01/2009

Respondent: CgMs Consulting

Box 10(b)

We request that the Ravenside Retail Park be identified as a district centre in accordance with Table 1 of Annex A of PPS6 in the Site Identification/Site Specific Allocations stage of the Rother District Council LDF.

PPS6 (para 2.53 supports the designation of new centres through the plan making process where a need for them has been established, particularly in areas of significant growth.

Land north east of Bexhill has been allocated for significant housing growth. Apart from the projected growth in both convenience and comparison goods expenditure, this will increase the capacity and available expenditure in the catchment area and increase the need for the retail facilities.

The Ravenside Centre currently provIdes for both local shopping needs as well as drawing from a wider catchment area. Bexhill town centre is restricted in terms of shopping facilities due to the predominance of small units. The Conservation Area also and the topography of the centre also act as physical constraints to further development.

As Bexhill Is not generally considered a major shopping destination or recognlsed as one In the RSS, it currently experiences considerable expenditure leakage to nelghbourlng centres such as Hastings, Eastbourne and Brighton. The Ravenslde Centre, which has a turnover in excess of the town centre, provides an opportunity to stem this loss.

The site Is a sustainable brownfiefd location, thus this designation would not result in any harm to any greenfield/greenbelt sites.

The Ravenside Centre includes a range of shops servicing the catchment area, including B&Q, PC World, Currys, Tesco, Next, Boots, Halfords, Comet and Wickes. The centre also offers a range of local facilities such as two pharmacies In Tesco and Boots, a cash machine within Tesco, KFC, McDonalds, and a cafe within Tesco; while the swimming pool and Bowling Alley provide leisure/community facilities to the wider population. The Ravenside centre has the potential to accommodate additional retail development which could not be accommodated in the town centre, thus further stemming the leakage to other centres and providing a sustainable pattern of development.
The site Is highly accessible by public transport and in particular buses 98 and 99 run past the site providing services to Sllverhill, Eastbourne and Hastlngs.