Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 27705

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Bellway Homes

Agent: DHA Planning

See section 3.11 of the attached "DHA Response to RDC Reg 18 Draft Local Plan".

Comment

Representation ID: 27706

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Bellway Homes

Agent: DHA Planning

See section 3.12 of the attached "DHA Response to RDC Reg 18 Draft Local Plan".

Comment

Representation ID: 27707

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Bellway Homes

Agent: DHA Planning

See section 3.13 of the attached "DHA Response to RDC Reg 18 Draft Local Plan".

Comment

Representation ID: 27708

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Bellway Homes

Agent: DHA Planning

See section 3.14 of the attached "DHA Response to RDC Reg 18 Draft Local Plan" as well as the attached site location plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 27709

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Bellway Homes

Agent: DHA Planning

See section 3.15 of the attached "DHA Response to RDC Reg 18 Draft Local Plan".

Comment

Representation ID: 27710

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Bellway Homes

Agent: DHA Planning

See section 3.16 of the attached "DHA Response to RDC Reg 18 Draft Local Plan".

Comment

Representation ID: 27711

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Bellway Homes

Agent: DHA Planning

See section 3.17 of the attached "DHA Response to RDC Reg 18 Draft Local Plan".

Comment

Representation ID: 27712

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Bellway Homes

Agent: DHA Planning

See section 3.18 of the attached "DHA Response to RDC Reg 18 Draft Local Plan".

Comment

Representation ID: 28067

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Bellway Homes

Agent: Savills

As part of the Spatial Development Option, RDC has identified the need for further growth in Bexhill north and west. The site is within the western part of Bexhill as per the HELAA maps. Bellway supports this approach insofar as it is necessary for identified sites in these locations to be protected and safeguarded through appropriate allocation.

Bellway does not have any further comments at this stage, but may provide additional comments at the next consultation stage, should this be relevant to the site and wider intentions spatial strategy.

Comment

Representation ID: 28068

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Bellway Homes

Agent: Savills

It is evident that the housing and development needs of the District are greater than when the Core Strategy and Site allocations DPD were previously adopted. The Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment (HEDNA) confirms this, identifying that the local housing need (LHN) is 737dpa based on the standard method calculation (capped), compared to the current Core Strategy target of 335dpa, and average rate of delivery of only 204dpa.

Paragraph 5.9 of the ELP confirms RDC’s commitment to maximising development opportunities, with growth being informed by the identified and potential additional sites in the HELAA.

The current strategy wording provides a housing target range. This is a minimum target of only 258-364 dpa, based only on RDC’s identified sites and potential sites. It does not reflect the LHN.

Although RDC notes that the range is subject to change, it is evident that RDC must identify further sites and safeguard existing sites with planning permission if it is going to address district housing needs.

This is particularly relevant when considering the HEDNA Housing Growth Comparison chart, which shows a housing trajectory that only meets or exceeds the LHN for a 3 year period between 2022/23 and 2030/31.

Thus it is essential that sites with planning permission, such as Land at Clavering Walk, Cooden, are allocated. This would then provide a source of new housing that is certain for the early part of the plan period. The site has been assessed to be suitable for delivery of up to 85 dwellings, as per the outline planning permission. The approved RMA seeks to deliver 70 homes. Again this is certain. However, despite Bellway’s commitment to delivering the new homes here, there are delays, with pre commencement conditions not yet discharged despite planning permission first being granted in 2020. Whilst the development is implemented, there are still aspects to finalise. Bellway has not artificially delayed delivery, and the delay is simply a result of the planning process. It is anticipated that there are other committed sites that are also in a similar situation. The allocation of the site would ensure it is safeguarded at least until such time as the first homes are delivered.