Proposed Submission Core Strategy

Policy BA1(iv) relating to the enablement of new local employment opportunities by providing 10,000 sq.m. of employment floorspace refers to Marley Lane as one of the options for expansion for Battle. Technically the Marley Lane site sits within the Sedlescombe Parish boundary although as it is situated on the Battle side of the A21 there may well be an argument for it to be more formally subsumed into the Battle Town Council area. The A21 pesents both a physical and intellectual barrier with the Marley Lane site remaining remote from Sedlescombe Village.

Policy RA1(ii) supports the encouragement of high quality and sustainable economic growth in rural areas, Sedlescombe being one of those listed in Figure 10 as needing new employment floorspace. It would seem appropriate for any new employment floorspace for Sedlescombe to be located more conveniently to the village and its housing particularly as Appendix 5 of the Rural Settlements Study shows a ratio of 0.46 of in:out commuting for Sedlescombe and a need for local employment. There are sites that might be appropriate for this, e.g. on the current footprint of the unused buildings at the Pestalozzi Village, perhaps offering opportunities for small businesses focused on crafts related to the High Weald's agricultural heritage. This could also support policy CO4(ii) in providing accessible employment opportunities for young people.

Policy BA1(iv) relating to the enablement of new local employment opportunities by providing 10,000 sq.m. of employment floorspace refers to Marley Lane as one of the options for expansion for Battle. Technically the Marley Lane site sits within the Sedlescombe Parish boundary although as it is situated on the Battle side of the A21 there may well be an argument for it to be more formally subsumed into the Battle Town Council area. The A21 presents both a physical and intellectual barrier with the Marley Lane site remaining remote from Sedlescombe Village.

Policy RA1(ii) supports the encouragement of high quality and sustainable economic growth in rural areas, Sedlescombe being one of those listed in Figure 10 as needing new employment floorspace. It would seem appropriate for any new employment floorspace for Sedlescombe to be located more conveniently to the village and its housing particularly as Appendix 5 of the Rural Settlements Study shows a ratio of 0.46 of in:out commuting for Sedlescombe and a need for local employment. There are sites that might be appropriate for this, e.g. on the current footprint of the unused buildings at the Pestalozzi Village, perhaps offering opportunities for small businesses focused on crafts related to the High Weald's agricultural heritage. This could also support policy CO4 (ii) in providing accessible employment opportunities for young people.

This policy of "promotion of public transport patronage" can only be effective if there is a real commitment to improving public transport provision in rural areas. Bus services in particular do not run late enough into the evenings or frequently enough at weekends to encourage or enable those living in rural communities such as Sedlescombe to forgo their cars. This is particularly difficult for young people who have no access to private transport and have to travel to the larger towns for college or employment.