Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 27944

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

Live Well Locally; Structuring the Local Plan in this way is a bold approach and is welcomed, however, it is important not to lose sight of the need for road based journeys and strategic connectivity, especially in a rural county where facilities and amenities are not always accessible by active travel and public transport.

Comment

Representation ID: 27946

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

Live Well Locally; Para 4.6, p63; Consider adding a new bullet point to cover Healthy Streets / Healthy Streets Indicators.

Comment

Representation ID: 27949

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

Live Well Locally; Para 4.6, p63; Amend third paragraph as follows:

‘Active Travel England (ATE) design assistance tools and planning application assessment toolkit’ - helps to assess the merits of walking, wheeling and cycling as
4 part of a development proposal. Although ATE are only statutory consultees for larger developments (150+ residential units, 7,500m² or sites having area of 5+ hectares) most of the principles embedded within the guidance will be applicable for other planning applications in Rother. ATE has an overall objective for half of all journeys in towns and cities to be cycled or walked by 2030, transforming the role that walking and cycling play in England’s transport system.

Please see attached comments for full representation (paragraph 1.23), which is presented in a format that does not display below.

Comment

Representation ID: 27950

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

Live Well Locally; Para 4.7, p63; After considering national guidelines it would be logical to include a section within the Plan that incorporates local / sub-regional guidance – particularly LTP4. Suggested text is provided in the attached comments - please see paragraph 1.24.

Comment

Representation ID: 27954

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

There is no reference to upgrading and improving strategic connectivity by road, via the strategic road network managed by National Highways and the major road network of the most economically important A class roads in the county, which are managed by the County Council. Whilst our preference for journeys is undoubtedly via active travel and public transport, it is recognised this won’t be a viable option for all, and the need for a high-quality road network is an important consideration and needs to be included. Therefore, ESCC suggest adding some detail about the need for a high-quality road network to improve strategic connectivity and support for the local transport authority (ESCC) and National Highways developing a road network that tackles congestion hotspots, reduces journey times, and prioritises buses / cycles.

Comment

Representation ID: 27956

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

LWL1: Compact Development, policy box, p66; Please note there is a drafting/format error in last sentence.

Comment

Representation ID: 27957

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

LWL1: Compact Development, policy box, p66; Please amend last sentence in policy box to read as follows;

‘...good access to shops, services, *active travel options* and public transport connections;’

Comment

Representation ID: 27958

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

Suggest revising paragraph 4.13 to say:

‘…creating communities that can walk, wheel and cycle…’

Comment

Representation ID: 27967

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

Road based traffic should not be completely discounted (private vehicles) for strategic connectivity. It is suggested that the Local Plan needs to highlight that people will want to travel outside of their local area; not all people are going to want to live locally. In addition, there is no mention of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging facilities and supporting infrastructure.

Comment

Representation ID: 27971

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

LWL2: Facilities & Services, i) Accessible Centres, p69; Amend third and fourth paragraphs to refer to ‘walking, *wheeling* and cycling’.