Development and Site Allocations (DaSA) Local Plan - Options and Preferred Options

RVR strongly supports the proposal to roll forward Policy EM8 as now set out in Policy RVR1: Rother Valley Railway. RVR asks that Figure 146 is amended to show the historic route of the railway, in accordance with the submissions in planning application RR/2014/1608.
Significant progress has already been made in progressing the scheme and meeting the three criteria laid down for continuing support.
In respect of (i)
The design of the railway has been developed in close consultation with the Environment Agency (EA), with very detailed modelling and flood risk assessments for all levels of flooding, up to and including a 100yr+cc event. The modelling has shown that as now designed, the reinstatement of the railway will have no effect on the flooding of properties in Robertsbridge and no significant effect elsewhere. The EA has confirmed in writing to RDC that it is content and has no objection to the Planning Application.
In respect of (ii)
The High Weald AONB Unit has confirmed in writing to RDC that it has no objection to the Reinstatement of RVR.
In respect of (iii)
Outline designs for level crossings on the A21, the B2244 and Northbridge Street have been agreed with The Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR), Highways England, and the ESCC Highways Department. They have all confirmed in writing to RDC that they do not object to the construction of the proposed level crossings.
Responses have been received from all the other affected Authorities and Organisations with no objections.
In respect of Figure 146, since the issue of the Rother District Local Plan in 2006 RVR has secured the trackbed from Bodiam Station up to Junction Road. Rother DC was advised by letter 17 June 2009 that "In these circumstances we will no longer require the deviation route to the North of the property and the associated additional crossings of the River Rother. The reconnection from Bodiam back to the main line at Robertsbridge will now be along the historic route of the original railway". After RVR rebuilt this section of the railway, Kent & East Sussex Railway was able to start running passenger trains in 2011.
At the Robertsbridge end of the line RVR has purchased further land since 2006 and is building a heritage style terminus station for Kent & East Sussex Railway allowing it to run passenger trains in 2013. The reconnection between Rother Valley Railway and the Network Rail main line was formally opened by Sir Peter Hendy, Chairman of Network Rail on 6 December 2016.
RVR has met with the three remaining landowners and made financial offers to them for the purchase of the track bed, which are well above the present economic value of land in the area, and we continue to engage with them.
All of this work is financed by private benefactors, with recourse to public funds. Independent studies have shown that the reinstatement of RVR will bring economic benefits in excess of £2m p.a. to the area. To-date RVR has spent over £3million in implementing Rother District Council's Policy EM8 and RVR looks forward to the Council's continuing support to complete the project.
Gardner Crawley BSc(Eng) FICE
Chairman Rother Valley Railway

RVR strongly supports the proposal to roll forward Policy EM8 as now set out in Policy RVR1: Rother Valley Railway. RVR asks that Figure 146 is amended to show the historic route of the railway, in accordance with the submissions in planning application RR/2014/1608.

Significant progress has already been made in progressing the scheme and meeting the three criteria laid down for continuing support.

In respect of (i)

The design of the railway has been developed in close consultation with the Environment Agency (EA), with very detailed modelling and flood risk assessments for all levels of flooding, up to and including a 100yr+cc event. The modelling has shown that as now designed, the reinstatement of the railway will have no effect on the flooding of properties in Robertsbridge and no significant effect elsewhere. The EA has confirmed in writing to RDC that it is content and has no objection to the Planning Application.

In respect of (ii)
The High Weald AONB Unit has confirmed in writing to RDC that it has no objection to the Reinstatement of RVR.

In respect of (iii)

Outline designs for level crossings on the A21, the B2244 and Northbridge Street have been agreed with The Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR), Highways England, and the ESCC Highways Department. They have all confirmed in writing to RDC that they do not object to the construction of the proposed level crossings.
Responses have been received from all the other affected Authorities and Organisations with no objections.

In respect of Figure 146, since the issue of the Rother District Local Plan in 2006 RVR has secured the trackbed from Bodiam Station up to Junction Road. Rother DC was advised by letter 17 June 2009 that "In these circumstances we will no longer require the deviation route to the North of the property and the associated additional crossings of the River Rother.

The reconnection from Bodiam back to the main line at Robertsbridge will now be along the historic route of the original railway". After RVR rebuilt this section of the railway, Kent & East Sussex Railway was able to start running passenger trains in 2011.

At the Robertsbridge end of the line RVR has purchased further land since 2006 and is building a heritage style terminus station for Kent & East Sussex Railway allowing it to run passenger trains in 2013. The reconnection between Rother Valley Railway and the Network Rail main line was formally opened by Sir Peter Hendy, Chairman of Network Rail on 6 December 2016.

RVR has met with the three remaining landowners and made financial offers to them for the purchase of the track bed, which are well above the present economic value of land in the area, and we continue to engage with them.

All of this work is financed by private benefactors, without recourse to public funds. Independent studies have shown that the reinstatement of RVR will bring economic benefits in excess of £2m p.a. to the area. To-date RVR has spent over £3million in implementing Rother District Council's Policy EM8 and RVR looks forward to the Council's continuing support to complete the project.

Gardner Crawley BSc(Eng) FICE
Chairman Rother Valley Railway

SUMMARY

RVR strongly supports the proposal to roll forward Policy EM8 as now set out in Policy RVR1: Rother Valley Railway. RVR asks that Figure 146 is amended to show the historic route of the railway, in accordance with the submissions in planning application RR/2014/1608.

Significant progress has already been made in progressing the scheme and meeting the three criteria laid down for continuing support.

Summary of Comment: RVR strongly supports the proposal to roll forward Policy EM8 as now set out in Policy RVR1: Rother Valley Railway. RVR asks that Figure 146 is amended to show the historic route of the railway, in accordance with the submissions in planning application RR/2014/1608.

Significant progress has already been made in progressing the scheme and meeting the three criteria laid down for continuing support.