Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 27728

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Rye Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

Flood risk is mentioned. At the confluence of three rivers and tidal waters, Rye is affected by all flood risks, including ground, surface and spring water. Rye would like to be consulted about the next Rother Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.

Comment

Representation ID: 27729

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Rye Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

Rye agrees the vision, but underscores that “sustainable” must take full account of the 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission definition of sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” ……..and demonstrate a full consideration of all the three factors:
Social factors: all aspects of social well being, personnel services and support, from medical to transport, access to leisure facilities. Rye does have an advantage that most parts are “walkable” within 20 minutes.
Environmental factors: the allocation for development of Brownfield sites first; maintenance of the development boundary; consideration of flood risk and the protection of bio diversity which surrounds Rye. Design should embrace eco friendly materials, energy, water efficiency, safety and security. There is a need to protect river and marine aquacultures (blue carbon) from plastic and other toxic pollution. Sewage outfalls and spills have to be eradicated. All green infrastructure, including salt marsh, which provides carbon absorption, needs to be protected and enhanced. Air pollution is a particular problem near the A259. Conservation policies should be strictly applied to protect character and heritage. With traffic and parking a major issue, any measure which aggravates it must be avoided.
Economic factors: there is the green economy and technology, including heat insulation. Food security is high on the political agenda, as is infrastructure for EVs. Reduction in power use is a priority along with the greater use of sustainable power such as solar, wind, and geo-thermal systems. Single use plastic must be reduced. Locally, more could be made of green tourism. Importantly, there should be accessible local facilities for recycling, re-purposing, composting and bulk waste

Comment

Representation ID: 27730

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Rye Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

Rye endorses the two big policies and represent the major change from the 2006 plan.

What does Green to the Core mean? P19
Being Green to the Core means considering the impact of all planning decisions on the climate emergency, the biodiversity crisis and the High Weald Area National Landscape. It means: contributing to the radical reduction in carbon emissions required by national planning policy through planning for sustainable transport, net zero housing and renewable energy and playing a key role in the UK’s nature recovery and carbon sequestration through enhancing our landscape and environmental assets.

What does Live Well Locally mean? P21
The Live Well Locally concept means considering, when making all planning decisions, the goal of creating: Healthy, sustainable and inclusive communities that support residents across the age spectrum in terms of housing, access to jobs, services and facilities. ‘Connected and compact neighbourhoods’ in our towns with ‘village clusters’ in our rural locations, where people can meet most of their daily needs within a reasonable distance of their home, with the option to walk, wheel, cycle (active travel) or use public transport. New development that creates places that are not just visually appealing, but also inspire and foster a sense of belonging, identity, and shared experience.
Rye has some small comments
4.3“......Wheeling”. Why this new term? We asked 10 people if they knew its meaning, none did.
LWL1: Please use acres as well as, or instead of, hectares.
“urban”: is this defined somewhere in the Plan? Ditto “suburban”
In “Green to the Core” there is mention of the impacts on the High Weald AONL but not National and International Habitat Designation Areas. Should the latter be added?

Comment

Representation ID: 27731

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Rye Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

See also P14: Rye - As a town affected by all forms of flood risk and land instability, Rye would like to see inclusion of “ to mitigate all flood risks” in the objectives.

Comment

Representation ID: 27732

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Rye Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

Rye endorses the policies/priorities, but retains a close interest in proposed policy GTC9: High Weald National Landscape (AONL – Formerly AONB)
“Development within the High Weald National Landscape (should be small-scale, in keeping with the landscape and settlement pattern, and designed in a way that reflects its nationally-designated status as landscape of the highest quality.”
This policy would have an impact on any proposal beyond the Rye development boundary which encroaches into the AONL. What is small scale? Is the proposal for the Rye Hill (sheltered accommodation) development, small scale?

Comment

Representation ID: 27733

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Rye Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

Rye agrees

Comment

Representation ID: 27734

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Rye Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

Rye: Water usage policies could be stronger? Should not grey water (for use in irrigation or flushing WCs) and permeable surfaces be strongly encouraged?

Comment

Representation ID: 27735

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Rye Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

Rye agrees

Comment

Representation ID: 27736

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Rye Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

Rye notes – “Proposals for community led initiatives, including those proposed through Neighbourhood Planning should be supported.

Comment

Representation ID: 27737

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Rye Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

“The Environment Act places a duty on Local Authorities to have regard to its Local Nature Recovery Strategy – to create more, bigger, better and connected areas of wildlife-rich habitat benefiting nature and people.”
Rye - RNP includes policy on Local Green Spaces, allotments, community garden and planting. It is proposed to include offsetting salt marsh policy. Should strategic gaps be preserved for wildlife and habitat? Currently the Rye Strategic Gap is mown and drained, which destroys ground nesting birds and other wildlife.