Rother Local Plan 2025-2042 – Development Strategy and Site Allocations

NE01, Swallow Barn, Netherfield SUPPORT
This site was approved under the Battle Neighbourhood Plan but is yet to be developed.
The layout should be permeable with pedestrian links within a curving plan. Dwellings should be low rise, 2 storey houses rather than maisonettes or flats. It is important that new dwellings should ensure they are for young families as the school is in walking distance. The site must have safe and simple-to-navigate (i.e. which you would allow a child to use by themself) pedestrian access to the main Darvell Down estate with its shop, recreation facilities and schools.
It is also necessary and an opportunity to create screening of developments by native woodland and also to connect to existing belts of trees. Noted in the Neighbourhood Plan Site Assessment that a blanket TPO had been placed on this site and as access from the north is considered the appropriate route, it would mean felling some trees and replanting on the open space which is not acceptable. There is already limited open recreational space. The opportunity for existing residents for improved play areas for both primary and adolescent gathering is now a recent decision by BTC with devolution from RDC and there is funding from earmarked reserves to upgrade these.
It will not be suitable for elderly residents; many of whom may not be able to drive to town and would be isolated as the bus is infrequent.

NE2 White House Poultry Farm, Netherfield SUPPORT
This site was approved under the Battle Neighbourhood Plan but remains undeveloped at present.
The site must have safe and simple-to-navigate (i.e. which you would allow a child to use by themself) pedestrian access to the main Darvell Down estate with its shop, recreation facilities and schools.
The Neighbourhood Plan site Assessment recorded ‘However, it should only be considered as an allocation for a ‘reserve’ or contingency site to be released if the other Netherfield sites do not come forward. If the site is allocated, the impact on the AONB would need to be carefully considered and discussed with Rother District Council before considering it as a ‘reserve’ site for allocation’. The site is set high up on the High Weald with distant vistas and the impact would be considerable”

GYP1 –High Views, Loose Farm -1 pitch . OBJECT
This is in addition to pitches already on the site, with a history of retrospective planning applications. The area is becoming overdeveloped, particularly if the proposed site for 5 dwellings at Loose Farm goes ahead.

GYP2-Land south of Hastings Road- 5 pitches. OBJECT
It is considered this area is subject to excessive over development

GYP4 – Land to the rear of Fir Tree Cottage OBJECT
This site has had many retrospective Planning Applications and currently benefits from temporary planning permission for Temporary use until 30/05/27. It should then be returned to "field" condition, given its proximity to Ashes Wood (a designated Ancient Replanted and Semi-Natural Woodland). Making it permanent would ignore earlier planning findings and set a harmful precedent
The latest permission granted (RR/2025/1015/P) stated “The residential use of the site is not considered suitable on a permanent basis on this location due to the harm it causes to the landscape and scenic beauty of the High Weald National Landscape.”
The national speed limit suggests that the area should not be developed. For all of these reasons, all previous planning applications were approved on the condition that occupancy on this site is temporary, and is strictly for the existing occupants.