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

Object

Representation ID: 30643

Received: 20/03/2026

Respondent: Historic England

Site Allocation PL2: We note that this development is located within the setting of the Highly Grade 1 St. Michael’s Church. The allocation is for 14 homes, which is significantly denser than the surrounding context. We welcome the policy criteria seeking to protect the setting of the Church and the enhancement of trees and hedgerows on the site. We would suggest the site’s quantum of development is reviewed and the policy criteria strengthened where possible to ensure that the allocation will not cause harm to the significance of the Church.

Object

Representation ID: 30644

Received: 20/03/2026

Respondent: Historic England

Site Allocation BT7: This site is located close to the Registered Battlefield boundary. Reference should be made to preserving the setting of the Battlefield within the policy text itself. The requirement for an HIA is supported and could be included in the policy to provide additional weight. The HIA should assess the contribution which this allocation makes to the setting of the Registered Battlefield and what impact the loss of this open area and its subsequent development might have upon its significance.

Support

Representation ID: 30645

Received: 20/03/2026

Respondent: Historic England

Local List: Since the 2024 Local Plan consultation, the Government has published a revised NPPF for consultation. While we acknowledge the Council’s intention to proceed under the current system and the December 2024 NPPF, the Government has signalled that future plans under the new system should be supported by a local list (see Policy HE1(d)).

Should this policy be confirmed, we encourage the Council to proactively strengthen and expand Rother’s local list. This work can build on the successful identification of non-designated heritage assets already achieved in conservation area appraisals and neighbourhood plans (such as Battle or Salehurst and Robertsbridge). The Council can draw on evident community support for such a list in parts of the District, as demonstrated for example in the aspirations in the Rye Neighbourhood Plan.

This positive approach to the identification of non-designated heritage assets will allow for the proactive recognition, retention and enhancement of these heritage assets in site allocations as demonstrated at Hodson’s Mill (ref: Policy RB6a) and would present an integral element of the Council’s positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment. Historic England provide advice on local lists and have recently consulted on an update to our Local Listing Advice. We expect to publish the final document shortly.

Support

Representation ID: 30947

Received: 23/03/2026

Respondent: Historic England

Thank you for your email of 26 January 2026 inviting comments on the above Sustainability Appraisal.
Historic England is a statutory consultation body in relation to the SEA Directive in regard to any matters affecting the historic environment. We are content that the Interim Sustainability Appraisal for Rother Draft Local Plan adequately covers the issues that may arise in respect of the potential effects of proposed development sites on heritage assets. This opinion is based on the information provided by you and for the avoidance of doubt does not affect our obligation to advise you on, and potentially object to any specific development proposal which may subsequently arise from this or later versions of the plan which is the subject to consultation, and which may, despite the SA, have adverse effects on the historic environment.