Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Object

Representation ID: 20004

Received: 27/01/2009

Respondent: The Newcombe Estates Co. Ltd.

Agent: Martin Robeson Planning Practice

An objection is raised in relation to the Council's approach to the spatial distribution of housing figures for the district. Notwithstanding consideration of several alternative spatial distribution options the council has in our view failed to give consideration to whether a combined option may exist.

The Council appear set upon a preferred option "based largely on Option 2". It is considered that a wider range of options should be presented at this stage for further consultation.

Object

Representation ID: 20006

Received: 27/01/2009

Respondent: The Newcombe Estates Co. Ltd.

Agent: Martin Robeson Planning Practice

On the basis that the Council's intention is to defer further work on the options for percentages and thresholds for affordable housing, it is suggested that the Council continue to negotiate the existing level of affordable housing as set out in Local Plan Policy HG1. It is also relevant to take account of current market conditions.

Object

Representation ID: 20007

Received: 27/01/2009

Respondent: The Newcombe Estates Co. Ltd.

Agent: Martin Robeson Planning Practice

A broad objection is raised regarding calculation of new housing provision in the rural areas and villages. Furthermore, given that the Council has now undertaken a Rural Settlement Study, it is not understood why the proposed number of additional dwellings in certain villages appears to have been arbitrarily determined.

Indeed given the need to provide further contingencies in the event that the Bexhill - Hastings link road is delayed or cancelled, then it will be necessary for a greater proportion of growth to be directed to sustainable village locations.

Object

Representation ID: 20008

Received: 27/01/2009

Respondent: The Newcombe Estates Co. Ltd.

Agent: Martin Robeson Planning Practice

The intention to continue to define and review settlement boundaries is supported. However, consideration c(iv) of Box 5 is not a true determination of change, rather a driver of the review process itself.

Object

Representation ID: 20009

Received: 27/01/2009

Respondent: The Newcombe Estates Co. Ltd.

Agent: Martin Robeson Planning Practice

Objection is raised regarding the intention to review current settlement boundaries through the Site Allocations DPD process. The role of a site allocations document is to identify suitable sites to meet development requirements and not to review fundamental development boundaries, which in our view should form part of the Core Strategy process.

Object

Representation ID: 20010

Received: 27/01/2009

Respondent: The Newcombe Estates Co. Ltd.

Agent: Martin Robeson Planning Practice

Objection is raised regarding the Council's failure to acknowledge historically low housing completion rates. The Council is "wiping the slate clean" and ignoring historic deficiencies in housing supply from as far back as 1991. There is effectively no opportunity within the Council's current proposals to "catch up".

Object

Representation ID: 20012

Received: 27/01/2009

Respondent: The Newcombe Estates Co. Ltd.

Agent: Martin Robeson Planning Practice

The risks associated with the failure to implement the Bexhill to Hastings Link Road are clear and documented.

It is noted that the significant growth envisaged by the South East Plan for Bexhill and Hastings is entirely dependent on Link Road construction to provide necessary highway capacity. The Link Road therefore represents the single largest risk to housing growth in Rother.

Whilst several alternative options and contingencies have been considered by the Council, a significant objection is raised regarding the Council's preferred strategy relating to the timing of the Bexhill-Hastings Link Road.

Object

Representation ID: 20014

Received: 27/01/2009

Respondent: The Newcombe Estates Co. Ltd.

Agent: Martin Robeson Planning Practice

The Council's intention to review the Core Strategy in the event that the Link Road is opened after 2016 or cancelled altogether (Box 4c(ii) is fundamentally unsound

The Core Strategy should be flexible and housing contingences set out in the first place.

Object

Representation ID: 20494

Received: 27/01/2009

Respondent: The Newcombe Estates Co. Ltd.

Agent: Martin Robeson Planning Practice

Option 2 (para 5.86) is ruled out without any supporting justification. More allocations in certain towns and villages would better reflect population distribution.

There is also a broad assumption that all villages should grow organically. This can only be aspirational, since the requirement for growth in towns and villages is driven by housing demand and in the most sustainable location.

The Core Strategy should be suitable flexible and housing contingencies set out in the first place.