Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 26542

Received: 20/07/2024

Respondent: Burwash Common and Weald Residents Association

BUR0005. The former Ashwood Nursing Home site. (Identified site)

2.2 This site is now under development, with 10 new properties on the larger, southern part of the site due to be occupied in the late summer/autumn. The smaller, northern part of the site currently has planning permission (RR/2021/1608/P) for two so-called eco-homes. However, our understanding is that the land on which these two properties were scheduled to be built has been put up for sale by the current owners. It therefore remains to be seen whether this part of the site will be developed in line with the existing planning approval or whether further planning applications will be submitted by any new owners. Any such applications can be judged on their own merits.

2.3 We have been very concerned to see that the part of the site that is being developed has encroached beyond the site boundary on its western side up to the edge of the existing footpath, such that a proportion of the previously existing grass verge has been lost. In addition, existing hedges along this boundary are being removed and replaced by poor quality fencing which is not at all in keeping with the local landscape. The remainder of the grass verge between the footpath and the road (Swing Gate Hill) has been churned to mud by contractors’ vehicles and needs to be reinstated by the contractor once the development is completed. These are all enforcement issues which have been reported but no action appears to have been taken by the relevant authorities.

Comment

Representation ID: 26547

Received: 20/07/2024

Respondent: Burwash Common and Weald Residents Association

3.2 Generally speaking we support the vision in the draft Local Plan for Northern Rother as set out on page 156. While the further development of modes of active travel can be applauded, it is very important to note that the relative lack of a public transport infrastructure and the age profile of the local population means that ‘active travel’ for many is unrealistic and travel by private car will remain the only viable mode of transport for many. It should not be made more difficult than it already is.

3.3 A particular issue for us, the residents of Burwash Common and Burwash Weald, is the relative remoteness of our nearest railway station, Stonegate. Once reached, Stonegate provides easy access north to Tunbridge Wells and London and south to Hastings. Perhaps some consideration could be given to the development of a scheme similar to the patient transport scheme that already exists in a different context to get people to and from the rail services at Stonegate?

Comment

Representation ID: 26548

Received: 20/07/2024

Respondent: Burwash Common and Weald Residents Association

3.4 Our comments insofar as they relate to Burwash Common and Burwash Weald are set out in detail in section 2 above. To summarise, we think that the plans for additional housing development in the area (12 dwellings) may need to be revisited, depending on further consideration of the sites BUR0020 and BUR0027 in the light of the information we have provided. Similarly, the plans for further commercial development need another look in the light of the recent sale of BUR0020.

Comment

Representation ID: 26549

Received: 20/07/2024

Respondent: Burwash Common and Weald Residents Association

3.6 We cannot comment on the feasibility of the proposed 30 year vision for the A21 transport corridor. We are concerned that the draft Plan is silent on E – W transport links. Within the context of the South East region of the UK as a whole, something needs to be done to provide more robust E – W transport links for heavy goods vehicles arriving at or departing from Dover as the pressure on villages along the route of the A265 in particular is only likely to increase. This may be beyond the scope of the Rother Local Plan, but it should not be allowed to fall into the gaps between the local plans of the different local authorities who ought to have an interest in it.

Comment

Representation ID: 26550

Received: 20/07/2024

Respondent: Burwash Common and Weald Residents Association

Potential new national planning policies. At the time of writing (July 2024) the new Labour government is proposing to relax planning regulations to allow the country’s undoubted need for new housing to be more easily met. It remains to be seen how this will impact on the Local Plan and the policies contained with it, but generally we support the development of the right houses (ie. those that meet a clearly defined local need) in the right places (ie. protecting greenfield sites as much as possible and, in particular, protecting the High Weald National Landscape). There needs to be early definition/clarification of what constitutes so-called “greybelt” sites (as this is a new term for many of us) and how this impacts, if at all, on the designation of sites in the HELAA. We agree that the development of on-shore wind farms on the High Weald NL is inappropriate and should be resisted.

Comment

Representation ID: 26551

Received: 20/07/2024

Respondent: Burwash Common and Weald Residents Association

Proposed Local Plan vision. We think the vision might be modified to improve support for young people and families. For example, perhaps there can be more involvement from appropriate housing associations to help deliver genuinely affordable “starter” homes? In addition, there could be more support for hybrid working and working from home (as these are likely to be the cradles for new small businesses) with more flexibility around what constitutes “commercial” and “residential” premises, financial incentives and the introduction more widely of reliable high-speed broadband. Consideration should also be given to strengthening the resilience of local power networks in rural areas which (in our area at least) are subject to frequent and sometimes sustained power cuts often at no notice.

Comment

Representation ID: 26552

Received: 20/07/2024

Respondent: Burwash Common and Weald Residents Association

4.3 Local Plan objectives and policies. We think it is important that the objectives in the Local Plan are practically achievable, and they should be tested in this context. Similarly, policies should be clear in their intent, unambiguous in their wording and capable of practical implementation. At the moment, some proposed policies are potentially weakened by reference to ‘exceptions’ or ‘exceptional circumstances’ in which they can be set aside or modified. While the Local Plan should not be a straitjacket, our experience is that developers (in particular) see these as loopholes and will seek to exploit them where they can. Policy wording should be reviewed to limit exceptions to those which really are necessary.

Comment

Representation ID: 26553

Received: 20/07/2024

Respondent: Burwash Common and Weald Residents Association

Targets. The Local Plan identifies some areas where it proposes targets for improvement which are significantly ahead of national norms. Whilst at one level this may be commendable, it may present a risk if, for example, it is going to lead to the relevant policies being subject to periodic complaint or legal challenge leading to unnecessary costs.