Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 27119

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Batcheller Monkhouse

Housing Need
Representations relate to Housing Need, Preferred Spatial Development Options, Relevant Draft Local Policies and concern two parcels of land considered under the HELAA ref HUG0015. It is located within in the High Weald National Landscape area the Land at Yew Tree Farm is capable of accommodating some development without adverse effect on the natural beauty of the High Weald. The land is located entirely within Flood Zone 1. Paragraph 70 of the NPPF recognises that small scale developments can deliver housing at a faster rate, a small-scale development here could be delivered at a relatively quick rate. The Council should pursue a higher growth strategy to fully meet the full identified housing need for the plan period.

Comment

Representation ID: 27120

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Batcheller Monkhouse

Overall Spatial Development Strategy
We support the principle of employing a number of spatial strategies to provide the flexibility to respond to differing circumstances. As a village on the A21 corridor with good connections to Tunbridge Wells, Hastings and mainline rail services to London from nearby Etchingham Hurst Green is well-placed to take some additional growth. Figure 29 of the Regulation 18 plan identifies housing growth of 26 dwellings based on existing consented windfall sites. The Regulation 18 plan seeks to add an additional 38 development units to Hurst Green beyond the existing consented sites. The existence of the previous planning permissions and the further sites identified in the HELAA is an indication of the fact that Hurst Green is considered to be a suitable location for housing growth and we would contend that moving forward additional allocations for small-scale development should be made in Hurst Green.

Comment

Representation ID: 27121

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Batcheller Monkhouse

The vision for Northern Rother indicates allowance for ‘small-scale sensitive residential development and growth in villages to create sustainable forms of development and protect and enhance the landscape character and scenic beauty of the High Weald National Landscape.’ The submitted land is situated in a village that is located in Northern Rother so is in line with this aspect of the proposed policy. The land has the potential to deliver small-scale development which is respectful of the character of the High Weald National Landscape it lies within.

Comment

Representation ID: 27124

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Batcheller Monkhouse

The explanatory text for this policy explains that settlements identified within Figure 38 (which includes Hurst Green) will have their development boundary reviewed as part of the next stage of the Neighbourhood Plan process. It should however be noted that since 2022 and the publication of the Regulation Pre-Submission Neighbourhood Plan, no further work has been carried out and the work has been paused. As such there is no indication that this will progress anytime soon, and rather than awaiting definition within the Neighbourhood Plan process the development boundary of Hurst Green should be comprehensively reviewed to take into account the recent development that has occurred within the village particularly around Foundry Close which abuts our client’s land. Failure to so could leave the village with an out of date development boundary not reflective of the village’s existing built form. Any review of the development boundary should also include extensions to the development boundary to take account of any proposed allocations which could include our client’s land.

Comment

Representation ID: 27125

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Batcheller Monkhouse

Proposed Policy DEV5: Development on Small Sites and Windfall Development
This policy recognises that historically, small sites and windfall development have played a role in the delivery of housing growth in the District and seeks to continue this reliance. We support the inclusion of this policy.

Comment

Representation ID: 27126

Received: 23/07/2024

Respondent: Batcheller Monkhouse

Site Specific Considerations
The land lies in a highly sustainable location close to all major services within the village and public transport options, adjacent to the existing envelope of built development. Our client has control over the land submitted to the previous call for sites, the Land at Yew Tree Farm amounts to 6 hectares. The land benefits from two existing accesses off London Road, one directly facing Holy Trinity Church and a second directly opposite Hurst Green Social Club. The HELAA assessment for the site it was stated that access is a constraint to the site although no specific details are given. The HELAA does identify the site as constituting a Priority Habitat consisting of lowland meadow, this does not prevent development on this land as it is not protected to the same degree as other ecological designations. There is a single public right of way crossing the land (HUR/33/1) this PROW could be preserved and enhanced through any subsequent development scheme. On the basis of a capacity of 25-45 dph dwellings per hectare (in accordance with proposed policy LWL1) the site would be capable of accommodating up to 150 dwellings as a minimum, taking account of the plot sizes and the need to set aside areas for biodiversity net gain a lower level of dwellings would be likely to be in the region of 25 dwellings.