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

Support

Representation ID: 30842

Received: 22/03/2026

Respondent: Wates Developments Ltd

Agent: Boyer Planning Limited

Wates broadly supports the principle of, as well as the proposed amendments to, the Plan’s
Strategic Objectives. However, Wates believes that greater emphasis should be placed on
delivering sufficient new homes to meet identified housing needs. This will help address the
significant economic and social impacts of leaving such needs unaddressed.

Object

Representation ID: 30843

Received: 22/03/2026

Respondent: Wates Developments Ltd

Agent: Boyer Planning Limited

Wates considers the proposed target of 8,427 homes (495 dpa) too low and argues the Plan should meet a higher proportion of the Standard Method figure (912 dpa, totalling 15,504 homes). The resulting shortfall of over 7,000 homes risks the Plan being found unsound for not being positively prepared, justified or aligned with national policy. With no neighbouring authorities able to help meet the deficit, Wates argues the Plan has not achieved an appropriate balance between housing need and environmental constraints. The Sustainability Appraisal also does not adequately justify the reduced requirement.

Support

Representation ID: 30844

Received: 22/03/2026

Respondent: Wates Developments Ltd

Agent: Boyer Planning Limited

Supports the principle of delivering infrastructure alongside development but emphasises that an updated Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) is essential for Regulation 19. Promoters of allocated sites must be engaged early to coordinate infrastructure and delivery strategies. Cross‑boundary issues, such as at Breadsell, require specific solutions due to differing approaches to funding (e.g., RDC’s CIL vs Hastings’ non‑CIL position). A district‑wide Viability Assessment is needed, with early input from site promoters, especially since affordable housing requirements are not yet defined. Without clarity on viability, funding and deliverability, the Plan risks failing the soundness tests.

Object

Representation ID: 30845

Received: 22/03/2026

Respondent: Wates Developments Ltd

Agent: Boyer Planning Limited

Support the principle of distributing growth across a range of settlements to maintain a balanced housing supply, with higher levels directed to the most sustainable locations such as Battle, Bexhill and areas adjoining Hastings. However, none of the strategic options assessed—including those in the Plan’s appendices or the Sustainability Appraisal—consider allocating additional sites to meaningfully raise the overall housing requirement. Instead, the options focus mainly on increasing densities. The strategy does not explore scenarios capable of delivering a materially higher housing number, which limits the effectiveness of the options testing process.

Support

Representation ID: 30846

Received: 22/03/2026

Respondent: Wates Developments Ltd

Agent: Boyer Planning Limited

Support increasing development densities in principle, consistent with national policy. However, density expectations in Figure 9 must reflect site‑specific constraints such as topography and physical characteristics. High densities set at Plan‑making stage may prove undeliverable or unacceptable at application stage, undermining the effectiveness of the Plan. Given that much of the district is within the National Landscape or other protected areas, higher densities may not be appropriate and conflict with landscape sensitivity. Separate representations for BT2, BT7 and BX18 highlight specific density concerns.

Support

Representation ID: 30847

Received: 22/03/2026

Respondent: Wates Developments Ltd

Agent: Boyer Planning Limited

Wates supports the Overall Development Strategy. However, Wates emphasises that the
proposed housing requirement and the resulting shortfall relative to the objective assessment
of housing needs should be addressed to reduce the risk of the Plan being judged unsound
at Examination. Based on a review of the Housing Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA), there
would seem to be opportunities to secure a higher level of growth, whilst remaining within the
framework of the spatial strategy/development strategy outlined in the Plan.

Object

Representation ID: 30848

Received: 22/03/2026

Respondent: Wates Developments Ltd

Agent: Boyer Planning Limited

Wates supports the proposed approach to growth within the identified Sub-Areas and agrees with the broad distribution envisaged. Notwithstanding this, as indicated, the Draft Local Plan’s housing requirement does not fully meet the LHN figure, and the significant shortfall
that results is unlikely to be addressed by neighbouring Local Authorities and will remain 'unmet’.’
The scope for additional allocations / additional delivery within the identified growth opportunity areas should be further examined and tested through the SA. This will help to reduce the risk of the Plan being deemed unsound during Examination.

Support

Representation ID: 30849

Received: 22/03/2026

Respondent: Wates Developments Ltd

Agent: Boyer Planning Limited

Wates fully endorses the aim of Policy LWL7 to lessen the severity of road accidents and
enhance community and individual well-being by encouraging walking and cycling. However,
it is essential that the final wording of the policy does not limit the scope for development
proposals to address site-specific constraints and opportunities through good design. As
such, the proposed amendments to the policy text are welcomed.

Object

Representation ID: 30850

Received: 22/03/2026

Respondent: Wates Developments Ltd

Agent: Boyer Planning Limited

The Interim Sustainability Appraisal does not adequately justify the housing scale proposed in the Draft Plan, which leaves a shortfall of over 7,000 homes. The options tested do not explore reasonable alternatives that would materially increase overall supply, focusing mainly on density scenarios rather than additional site allocations. Even the highest‑density option would not meet Local Housing Need. The Appraisal does not clearly explain how its evaluation informed the preferred strategy, and it remains unclear whether the Plan has gone as far as possible to meet housing needs sustainably.

Support

Representation ID: 30851

Received: 22/03/2026

Respondent: Wates Developments Ltd

Agent: Boyer Planning Limited

BT2 proposes approximately 145 homes with primary access from the A2100. The site must be understood as part of a wider cross‑boundary growth area, as Hastings Borough Council is simultaneously identifying Land at Breadsell as a “Development Potential Area” in its emerging Local Plan. Both authorities are therefore contemplating a strategic, shared Housing Market Area allocation. Any allocation at BT2 must be planned collaboratively between Rother and Hastings to ensure coordinated infrastructure, delivery, and master‑planning across the boundary.