Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 27803

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Salehurst & Robertsbridge Parish Council

New dwellings outside development boundary needs clarification.

Comment

Representation ID: 27805

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Salehurst & Robertsbridge Parish Council

Are farms being consulted effectively on the proposed ECO1 outside development boundary policy?

Comment

Representation ID: 27808

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Salehurst & Robertsbridge Parish Council

Why is so much weight to be given to the High Weald AONB (Landscape) Management Plan which will change every 5 years meaning that policies to be implemented over the next 20 years are reliant on a document that changes within that time frame? We feel it would be more appropriate to simply say that the Local Plan will have regard to the new High Weald AONB plan and its successors when implementing the provisions of the Local Plan to avoid tying RDC’s hands. We also note that the new High Weald AONB Management Plan has been criticised by some local nature groups for being weaker than the former guidance. Future versions could continue to weaken the protection for the High Weald National Landscape.

Comment

Representation ID: 27810

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Salehurst & Robertsbridge Parish Council

Policy INF1 strategic infrastructure requirement needs more detail to deliver anything meaningful. In Robertsbridge we are already expected to accommodate many new homes under the old /existing Local Plan but to date we have not seen any evidence that the implications of these homes for critical infrastructure such as schools and doctors’ surgeries are being considered and acted upon in a strategic forward-looking manner.

Comment

Representation ID: 27814

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Salehurst & Robertsbridge Parish Council

It is unfortunate that the proposed plan reflects the current status quo where developers can sit on sites with planning permission with only a requirement to submit updated applications every few years. Also, development within our development boundary is severely constrained by the high costs associated with the provision of utilities like electricity, water and sewage / rainwater disposal by the local network operators. The current networks are generally near to or at maximum capacity so reinforcement works for new connections can be the deciding factor as to the viability of developments. In the absence of progress on these two issues by the new government it is, sadly, highly unlikely that the new RDC Local Plan will deliver meaningful change.