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

Given the large scale of the Local Plan, it is encouraging to see the spatial objectives include the preservation of the historic landscape character (objective 2) and the enhancement of the significance of Rother’s built and natural heritage (objective 3).

Given that records indicate that approximately 215 new homes on average have been built per year to date, the new annual target of 495 is ambitious and likely to create significant challenges in completing projects within set timescales and creating the necessary infrastructure to support new buildings and residents. We are concerned that housing quality may be compromised given these significant time pressures. Planning and Building control should be strengthened to promote high standards of design and sustainability.

To encourage new residents' enjoyment and attachment to our town, we should further develop the town centre and promenade to support small and medium sized, independent retail and leisure providers. A commitment to maintaining and enhancing the town centre conservation area and the many historic buildings in retail, leisure and other employment uses should be included in the Retail and main town centre section.

It is encouraging to see that the option to develop within the district's strategic gaps is not being taken forward. For Bexhill this related to the gaps along the A259 corridor. As noted, development within these 'gaps' would be a significant threat to the separate identity and unique character of the various settlements and villages in this area as well as maintaining their rural settings.

This section states that the preferred density option is 'B' (Fig 8). The description of development intended for Urban, Suburban and Live Well Locally Areas should reference an intention to maintain the unique character of the local built architecture and open spaces.

The growth planned for Bexhill is large and will have a significant impact on the town. The UK Office for National Statistics records Bexhill's population in 2011 at 42,369 and at 2024 at 45,422. Growth in Bexhill has been gradual rather than rapid, so the town retains a quieter feel compared with nearby Hastings or Eastbourne. The addition of 4764 dwellings in the next 17 years will significantly increase the population on a scale not seen in recent decades and fundamentally alter its appeal as a quiet coastal town with multiple distinct neighbourhoods. The large increases in population will also bring additional pressure on the local water and sewerage infrastructure which already struggles to cope with the existing population and risk more pollution of our watercourses and the beaches. There will also be pressure on medical, welfare and educational services. The upgrading of main road and rail routes into and across the area must be a priority to improve flows, reduce journey times and minimise congestion. Cycle and pedestrian routes should also be reviewed and enhanced to make them a more attractive option for personal transport. The proposal for a rail halt at Ravenside should be re-examined and / or a coastal Eastbourne to Hastings tram route considered from Eastbourne to Hastings.

The growth planned for Bexhill is large and will have a significant impact on the town. The UK Office for National Statistics records Bexhill's population in 2011 at 42,369 and at 2024 at 45,422. Growth in Bexhill has been gradual rather than rapid, so the town retains a quieter feel compared with nearby Hastings or Eastbourne. The addition of 4764 dwellings in the next 17 years will significantly increase the population on a scale not seen in recent decades and fundamentally alter its appeal as a quiet coastal town with multiple distinct neighbourhoods. The large increases in population will also bring additional pressure on the local water and sewerage infrastructure which already struggles to cope with the existing population and risk more pollution of our watercourses and the beaches. There will also be pressure on medical, welfare and educational services. The upgrading of main road and rail routes into and across the area must be a priority to improve flows, reduce journey times and minimise congestion. Cycle and pedestrian routes should also be reviewed and enhanced to make them a more attractive option for personal transport. The proposal for a rail halt at Ravenside should be re-examined and / or a coastal Eastbourne to Hastings tram route considered from Eastbourne to Hastings.

BX19 - This public open space has been allocated to build 10 houses. This small green area provides health and wellbeing to the local residents as well as being a haven for wildlife. Once gone, it is irreplaceable. It’s unfortunate that, in this case, providing new homes would come at the expense of the very qualities that make the town such an appealing place to live