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

Does the statement ‘income level of the wider population’ relate to income or wealth. Many now own property of value, but have low income.

Difficult to comment until the revised GTTS is published.

Pleased to see and fully support the conclusion that settlements should NOT be joined up.

Housing numbers do not seem to have been allocated with any thought to balance, consideration of existing infrastructure, (or lack of it), or the required investment needed to support the proposed increased housing.

Fully support the statement that ‘New development will be strictly limited to that which supports local agricultural, economic, tourism, community or housing needs.(especially for affordable housing) and maintains or improves the rural character.’

BR1
This site layout is contrary to DG2 of the High Weald National Landscape Housing Design Guide. Dead ends/Cul de sacs are to be avoided in the design of new developments. This would be allowing a new Cul de sac to be created within a current Cul de sac.
This is only part of the original site allocated here, which was allocated with an intended access via the A28 Northiam Road. Congestion and large vehicle access is already an issue within Oakhill Drive and Tillingham View, a further 29 houses with the additional traffic movements will increase the problems.
Concerns about the impact on services, particularly water supply, drainage and sewerage. The current main sewer goes under the proposed site and is not adequate. Localised flooding in the area from surface water drainage is already a problem, loss of green field will increase this problem.
BR2
This new site of 70 houses, when combined with BR1 would effectively change the settlement of Broad Oak to a semi urban area, making it a small town in a rural parish. This is not in keeping with the High Weald natural landscape objectives.
The poor infrastructure and limited public transport links would necessitate all residents needing their own cars, vastly increasing the traffic.
The access is too close to the crossroads of the A28/B2069, already a concern and an accident blackspot. The proposed access in on a bend and has poor visibility of the crossroads.
The current utility sectors, particularly the water supply and wastewater treatment will be put under immense pressure from a further 70 properties.
BR3
This site is on the fringes of the parish and the proposal for 20 dwellings is out of character with the rural and ribbon development character of the area. This would result in urbanisation of the rural fringes and not be in keeping with the historic pattern and character of the area.
It is in the AONB and the High Weald National Landscape, and development of this size is contrary to the policies contained within them.

GYP3
The residents on this site, since its inception, have not obeyed the current restrictions placed on their temporary planning permission, and it should not now be made a permanent site.
The site is within the AONB and outside the development boundary of the Parish. There is already considerable disturbance and effect on the neighbouring Grade 2 listed property, the rural setting, the flora and fauna. There are concerns about lack of foul water drainage and light pollution. The site does not fit the criteria for assessing the suitability of a travellers site.

Fully Support