Proposed Submission Core Strategy

In principle Ticehurst Parish Council approves of the draft plan. It is accepted that Ticehurst Parish is a rural service centre and the Council is keen to maintain and reinstate the retail character of the village centre. It is further accepted that it is necessary to maintain the viability of the village through limited growth and somewhat reluctantly accept the target of 45-65 properties - however, it is important that as a Service Centre, if targets are not achieved elsewhere in the District, that Ticehurst Parish is not deemed as being able to take more.

13.17 Water Management: Ticehurst Parish has a large proportion of Bewl Water in it. Plans in other areas to increase housing densities and relying on Bewl should be discouraged and RDC/PC should be party to consultation. Increased pressure on this local water resource leads to pollution and is unsustainable unless the capacity is certain to be increased. It is accepted in 13.22 that it is 'an important regional source'. 13.23 Strategic Option for enlargement' Ticehurst Parish agrees that it should be safeguarded and identified as an asset within Ticehurst Parish for long term strategic planning and development. Proposals to alter the nature of the site that lies within Wealden Parish - RDC/PC should be consulted on all applications as the majority of the reservoir bank lies within RDC. Request that RDC insist on consultation powers with Wealden DC.

Communities: Ticehurst agrees with the principle that 'strengthening Communities not over burdening them'.
Any plans to provide more housing must be coupled with better facilties. Youths in Ticehurst Stonegate and Flimwell have little to do with poor transport to other facility providers. Ticehurst would urge that The Bell Field be identified as a recognized asset and thus protected - the Council are currently in litigation proceedings to protect the field and would ask RDC for support which can be identified in Rothers Open Space ' Sport and Recreatinal Study 2007 and in 14.23 and 14.26. The Council therefore support POLICY CO3 - (1) safeguarding existing facilities (2) improving them and for (6) water based recreation at Bewl should not include motorized sport or overdevelopment that would spoil the original intentions of the facility. It should be noted that Ticehurst land was taken to create the reservoir and any significant alteration to the site would be strongly resisted.

14.13 - 14.18 Community Facilities: As a rural centre, Ticehurst recognizes the importance of fostering and maintaining community venues ensuring that they are flexible and fit for purpose in order to promote local activities for all groups in the community and meet local needs. The Local Action Plan seeks (and this will be included in the current update) to identify present needs and review existing resources - examples of this are the football pavilion and scout hut

Youth People in Rother: Ticehurst is identified as having a large proportion of 0-14 year olds 20-25% There should be more support available to them. Policy CO4 (iv) establishes a need for the provision of play areas and sport pitches and Youth facilities. The Bell Football Field, where football has been played for over 100 years is under threat and Ticehurst Parish would seek the assistance of RDC in saving the field for the community. There is a particular interest in ensuring our young people have engaging local opportunities as transport is limited to other facilities outside the parish. Ticehurst is interested in promoting schemes to assist young people to access employment.

Community Safety (ii) Reduction of Traffic speeds and other traffic impacts. This principle is being explored by Ticehurst Parish who are working with English Heritage and ESCC to provide a scheme for the centre of the village - Ticehurst Parish will look to RDC for assistance when the scheme has been costed that will improve the face and safety of the Village Square using planting and planters to slow the traffic.

Ticehurst Parish carried out an independent Housing Needs Survey in 2010 - an update on the 2007 carried out by AIRS. The community do not want more housing. However, it is accepted in the SHLAA plan that Banky Field is available and suitable for development. The development there would satisfy the affordable need in Ticehurst and therefore other sites need not be identified. Ticehurst would look to have pedestrian routes from Tinkers Lane through to Pickforde Lane so that walking to school on dry safe paths can be promoted. Corner Farm at Flimwell will also provide more affordable homes within their 40% provision.
If targets are not met in other areas, Ticehurst as a Rural Service Centre should not have its quota increased. (See representation on Policy RA1).

Hastoe Housing pursued a route contrary to the six requirements set out in the above policy - ignoring Parish objections and on a site that would have harmed the character of the rural area. Housing Associations must meet all six requirements, not latch on to one or two of them. Local criteria for occupancy should have Parish Council input/verification and 'cascades' should be limited to that particular community only.

Ticehurst Parish Council would urge RDC to protect commercial premises. The loss of retail outlets in Ticehurst will encourage people to use the new supermarket at Hawkhurst and thus deprive the local shops of vital custom. Any attempt to alter retail/business premises to residential should be resisted. A degree is skepticism with regard to non-profit justification for applications for change of use should be used. Extortionate rents by landlords can lead to empty premises and an application to alter to residential results in a profit for the owner and loss to the community. Hodders Yard in Stonegate was a prime example of this - a commercial offer which would have resulted in a community shop was turned down and the change of use to residential now approved means that the potential of a heart to the centre of Stonegate has been lost.

Ticehurst Parish Council agrees the principles of encouraging tourism but it should be sensitive to the AONB. Improved footpaths and cycle routes should be encouraged. The Council would encourage tourism accommodation but should be protected to prevent such accommodation being altered to permanent housing for resale.