Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
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Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
27. What are your views on the Council's proposed policy on compact development?
Representation ID: 25989
Received: 23/07/2024
Respondent: Trustees of Steellands Farm
Agent: Mr Geoff Megarity
We support the overarching principles of compact development. Our clients’ sites will contribute to these overarching principles of compact development by providing sites of appropriate density to support the local community, services and economy. Our clients’ sites as mentioned, are 1km from Ticehurst Village Centre and will be able to promote suitable active transport methods such as walking, cycling and wheeling to the village.
We support the overarching principles of compact development. Our clients’ sites will contribute to these overarching principles of compact development by providing sites of appropriate density to support the local community, services and economy. Our clients’ sites as mentioned, are 1km from Ticehurst Village Centre and will be able to promote suitable active transport methods such as walking, cycling and wheeling to the village.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
28. What are your views on the area types and densities proposed as a key driver to Live Well Locally?
Representation ID: 25990
Received: 23/07/2024
Respondent: Trustees of Steellands Farm
Agent: Mr Geoff Megarity
We believe that the proposed densities are considered sensible. We do believe however that Ticehurst, given it is identified as a Moderately Sustainable settlement as set out in the Settlement Study Report, could expand its development boundaries to include our client’s sites. This sustainability score and the sites’ proximity to key services would allow for them to be within the “village area” designation and would ensure that the level of development proposed would be suitable.
We believe that the proposed densities are considered sensible. We do believe however that Ticehurst, given it is identified as a Moderately Sustainable settlement as set out in the Settlement Study Report, could expand its development boundaries to include our client’s sites. This sustainability score and the sites’ proximity to key services would allow for them to be within the “village area” designation and would ensure that the level of development proposed would be suitable.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
30. What are your views on the Council's proposed policy on facilities and services?
Representation ID: 25991
Received: 23/07/2024
Respondent: Trustees of Steellands Farm
Agent: Mr Geoff Megarity
The policy requires new developments of one dwelling to be within walking distance of village centers. The proposed sites meet this criterion, being 1km or less from Ticehurst's heart, GP Surgery, and 950m from the Post Office and Londis. They are under 100m from Ticehurst and Flimwell Church of England Primary School and the Cherry Tree Pub, 500m from Ticehurst Village Hall, and less than 50m from a bus stop. The sites are suitable in terms of accessibility to village amenities. While there are no objections to public squares, recreational facilities, and food growing opportunities, it is recommended that contributions be formalized through a Supplementary Planning Document.
The policy sets out that all new development of one dwelling must meet a number of key criteria including being in an accessible walking distance to village centres. The sites are 1km or less from the heart of Ticehurst and 1 km from the Ticehurst GP Surgery, under 100m of the nearby Ticehurst and Flimwell Church of England Primary School, 500m to Ticehurst Village Hall, and less than 100m from the Cherry Tree Pub, and 950m from the Ticehurst Village Post Office and Londis, which sells fresh fruit and vegetables. Furthermore, there is a bus stop less than 50m from the sites’ entrance.
In terms of accessible centres, these sites meet the relevant requirements for villages.
In terms of the Public Squares and Spaces and Play, sports, Food Growing Opportunities and Recreational Facilities, in principle there is no objection to these. However, we would recommend that all contributions are agreed in the form of a Supplementary planning document.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
32. Specifically, what are your views on the proposed mix of local amenities and the requirement, within certain area types, for new development to be located within an 800m walk of these amenities?
Representation ID: 25992
Received: 23/07/2024
Respondent: Trustees of Steellands Farm
Agent: Mr Geoff Megarity
As set out in the above, we believe that our clients site meets the requirements for villages. The policy sets out that villages should be able to have a slightly wider radius than that of larger centres. All of these distances support the principle of 20-minute neighbourhood. We would recommend that the wording of the policies is slightly changed to set out a specific distance radius for villages.
As set out in the above, we believe that our clients site meets the requirements for villages. The policy sets out that villages should be able to have a slightly wider radius than that of larger centres. All of these distances support the principle of 20-minute neighbourhood. We would recommend that the wording of the policies is slightly changed to set out a specific distance radius for villages.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
35. Specifically, what are your views on the requirements set regarding public transport, such as the 400m walking distance proximity requirement?
Representation ID: 25993
Received: 23/07/2024
Respondent: Trustees of Steellands Farm
Agent: Mr Geoff Megarity
We support this policy. Our client’s sites are located 50m to 100m away from bus stops which provide public transport options to future residents. The location of these sites will comply with the ambitions of the council.
We support this policy. Our client’s sites are located 50m to 100m away from bus stops which provide public transport options to future residents. The location of these sites will comply with the ambitions of the council.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
36. What are your views on the Council's proposed policy on walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport (within the site)?
Representation ID: 25994
Received: 23/07/2024
Respondent: Trustees of Steellands Farm
Agent: Mr Geoff Megarity
We support the design principles set out in this policy. We also support the principles of ensuring that the High Weald Nation Landscape is protected.
In terms of the re-use of materials, this is generally acceptable in principle but clear design guides for rural villages within the High Weald National Landscape should be carried out.
We support the design principles set out in this policy. We also support the principles of ensuring that the High Weald Nation Landscape is protected.
In terms of the re-use of materials, this is generally acceptable in principle but clear design guides for rural villages within the High Weald National Landscape should be carried out.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
42. What are your views on the Council's proposed policy on built form?
Representation ID: 25996
Received: 23/07/2024
Respondent: Trustees of Steellands Farm
Agent: Mr Geoff Megarity
We agree with the principles of the proposed policy, however we believe that the policy should be underwritten by the fact that the district has a history of failing to deliver on housing. The need for housing and the protection of the landscape should be given similar value in a planning assessment.
We agree with the principles of the proposed policy, however we believe that the policy should be underwritten by the fact that the district has a history of failing to deliver on housing. The need for housing and the protection of the landscape should be given similar value in a planning assessment.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
54. What are your views on the Council's proposed spatial development strategy and proposed minimum targets for housing and employment growth?
Representation ID: 25997
Received: 23/07/2024
Respondent: Trustees of Steellands Farm
Agent: Mr Geoff Megarity
We fundamentally disagree with the council's housing delivery approach. While the final housing target is pending, the council's evidence indicates a need for 737 new dwellings annually in Rother, far exceeding the current policies. However, the council's strategy targets only 258-364 new homes per year, less than 50% of the required amount. Rother currently delivers just 41% of its required housing. Despite the emphasis on sensitive rural development, villages like Ticehurst can accommodate more housing due to their services. Our client’s sites align with the 20-minute neighbourhood principle and should be considered in the strategy. A stronger commitment to housing in sustainable rural locations, consistent with local authority objectives, is necessary.
We fundamentally disagree with the approach that the council has set out to housing delivery. We appreciate that the final housing target is to be determined, however the council has provided clear evidence that the identified housing needs in Rother imply the construction of 737 new dwellings per annum over the plan period. This is “considerably higher that then currently adopted housing requirement policies” as identified in the HEDNA, yet the strategy wording sets up a target to reach a minimum average rate of 258-364 a year.
Even if the district was to adopt the higher end of the threshold, this would still be less than 50% of the homes needed in the district. Given the fact that Rother currently only delivers 41% of its required housing and needs to deliver more in order to meet its identified needs.
Though this sets out sensitive development in other rural settlements of the district will be included, it is considered that many villages, in particular Ticehurst has the capacity to accommodate further sensitively located housing given the services provided in the village. The landowner’s/clients sites will comply with the principles of the 20-minute neighbourhood, and this should be a consideration as part of the wider strategy.
Overarchingly, a more significant commitment is required to the delivery of housing in sustainable locations in rural villages which can accommodate development which are in line with the key objectives of the local authority.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
68. What are your views on the vision for Northern Rother?
Representation ID: 25998
Received: 23/07/2024
Respondent: Trustees of Steellands Farm
Agent: Mr Geoff Megarity
Generally, our clients agree that sensitive and sustainable housing developments will help deliver the aims of the plan, however the proposed vision overarchingly suggests that no new development sites are required other than those already identified in the Ticehurst Neighbourhood Plan. This is considered unacceptable given the significant levels of lack of delivery of housing. They identify the clients two sites. TIC0043- Land at Cherry Tree Field, Lower Platts, Ticehurst and TIC0044- Land at Steellands Farm, Ticehurst, as potential additional growth. We believe that they are sustainably located and can be designed in a manner to minimise any impact on the National Landscape through sensitive design.
Generally, our clients agree that sensitive and sustainable housing developments will help deliver the aims of the plan, however the proposed vision overarchingly suggests that no new development sites are required other than those already identified in the Ticehurst Neighbourhood Plan. This is considered unacceptable given the significant levels of lack of delivery of housing. They identify the clients two sites. TIC0043- Land at Cherry Tree Field, Lower Platts, Ticehurst and TIC0044- Land at Steellands Farm, Ticehurst, as potential additional growth. We believe that they are sustainably located and can be designed in a manner to minimise any impact on the National Landscape through sensitive design.
Comment
Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)
69. What are your views on the distribution and opportunities for growth in settlements within the sub-area in figures 29, 30 & 31?
Representation ID: 25999
Received: 23/07/2024
Respondent: Trustees of Steellands Farm
Agent: Mr Geoff Megarity
We believe that the suggested identified distribution lacks the overarching needs for the wider district. Sites for housing delivery where they are in a sustainable settlement in terms of services should be increased.
Robertsbridge seems to have a disproportionate number of homes allocated for a smaller settlement than Ticehurst.
We believe that a more sustainable way to deliver housing would be to even the spread of development across the northern villages. The over delivery of housing in one village and being over-reliant on that village to meet the development aims of the district can lead to a disproportionate and
We believe that the suggested identified distribution lacks the overarching needs for the wider district. Sites for housing delivery where they are in a sustainable settlement in terms of services should be increased.
Robertsbridge seems to have a disproportionate number of homes allocated for a smaller settlement than Ticehurst.
We believe that a more sustainable way to deliver housing would be to even the spread of development across the northern villages. The over delivery of housing in one village and being over-reliant on that village to meet the development aims of the district can lead to a disproportionate and
