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

Whilst the reference to countryside here describes areas outside defined development boundaries, for rural parishes like Burwash the countryside is inseparable from the overall community; development invariably backs onto or is surrounded by countryside. The stated Vision for the future of the Countryside is worrying. The value of the countryside appears to be defined at point 6.97 solely in terms of economic productivity - either from food or tourism or the "opportunity" to conserve it. There is no reference to the inherent beauty of landscape - the High Weald represents one of the best-preserved remaining examples of a medieval landscape in western Europe - no reference to topography, hedgerows, trees, woodland and rivers. Even more alarmingly there is no mention of flora, fauna or even a nod to protecting biodiversity and nothing to describe remoteness, tranquility and a sense of place.

BW1: OBJECT
Greenfield site including Ancient Woodland and Priority Habitat, with three ponds and a stream. A previous planning application was turned down by RDC for "substantial harm to the landscape character and scenic beauty of the High Weald AONB (now NL). Presence of great-crested newts, grass snakes and slow worms, plus evidence of bats using habitat features on site and other protected wildlife. Car-based and lacks a footpath to services.
BW2: SUPPORT
In principle support as the site is already built on. No footpath to the village and it would be car-based.
BW3 and BW4: OBJECT
Both sites are greenfield, form part of historic landscape field pattern and provide a vital green field break/ green corridor with hedgerows and link with the Local Wildlife Site / Ancient Woodlands at Park Wood. Ribbon development, urbanisation and traffic in rural lane as car-based. No walkway to services. Harm to Biodiversity.

BC1: OBJECT
Greenfield, also part of the medieval field pattern with historic hedgerow therefore harms biodiversity as well as the rural landscape. The site is on a bus route, although, due to poor frequency of service, it will inevitably be car-based.
BC2: SUPPORT
In principle support as this is the site of an old nursery, so close to brownfield status. If the trees are retained for both screening and to retain Biodiversity the impact is reduced. The site is on a bus route, although, due to poor frequency of service, it will inevitably be car-based.

To Rother District Council,
We have completed the online consultaion but send this additionally as background where we have had to edit comments to meet the word count.

A copy of this is attached. If it can be added in support of those comments, we would be most appreciative.

Wild About Burwash (WAB) response to Rother District Council Draft Local Plan: Consultation Stage Reg 18
WAB is a community group with more than 230 members, the majority of whom are residents in Burwash Parish. The group’s aims are to support and encourage the protection of, and improvements to, the natural environment of the parish. This includes talks, walks and other events. WAB volunteers do a lot for the local environment, including:
• Active recording of flora and fauna biodiversity through the National Biodiversity Records Office
• Monthly monitoring of the water quality and the state of the riverbanks of the River Dudwell, with support from the Environment Agency (this project is now expanding to the River Rother in association with other Wild About groups)
• Regular maintenance of St Phillips Church churchyard in association with the Sussex Botanical Recording Society to record and protect wildflowers in the churchyard + development of a wildflower verge in association with the Parish Council
• Light pollution monitoring in and around Burwash in association with the High Weald NL and nine other local parishes to apply for International Dark Skies Reserve status
• Apple picking in elderly residents’ gardens and local ancient orchards to create WAB apple juice. In 2025 we produced 1,200 bottles. Income from the juice goes to orchard restoration and development
• Active engagement with Scouting group and Burwash school on Dark Skies, Orchards and Rivers projects.
WAB’s suggestions for all future developments in Burwash
WAB suggests that any new development in Burwash parish should:
a. Be built on brown/grey field sites and not on greenfields
b. Not cause environmental / biodiversity harm that then requires to be "recovered" .
c. Be within walking distance of shops and services
d. Be screened to ensure the buildings are not harmful in the landscape
e. Have good local public transport links
f. Meet the local rural housing needs for starter and retirement homes.
All developments, if agreed, should meet environmentally-friendly energy requirements, be dark skies compliant in terms of windows and external lighting and support wildlife (e.g. swift bricks) .
QU 15: Vision for the Countryside
Whilst the reference to countryside here describes areas outside defined development boundaries, for rural parishes like Burwash the countryside is inseparable from the overall community; development invariably backs onto or is surrounded by countryside. The stated Vision for the future of the Countryside is worrying. The value of the countryside appears to be defined at point 6.97 solely in terms of economic productivity - either from food or tourism or the opportunity to conserve it. There is no reference to the inherent beauty of landscape - the High Weald represents one of the best-preserved remaining examples of a medieval landscape in western Europe - no reference to topography, hedgerows, trees, woodland and rivers. Even more alarmingly there is no mention of flora, fauna or even a nod to protecting biodiversity and nothing to describe remoteness, tranquility and a sense of place.
BW1: OBJECT
This is a greenfield site which includes Ancient Woodland and Priority Habitat, with three ponds and a stream. From a previous planning application which was turned down by RDC for representing "substantial harm to the landscape character and scenic beauty of the High Weald AONB (now NL), the presence of great-crested newts, grass snakes and slow worms were identified along with evidence of bats using habitat features on site and other protected wildlife. The site will be car-based and lacks a footpath to services.
BW2: SUPPORT
In principle support as the site is already built on. There is no footpath to the village and it would be car-based.
BW3 and BW4: OBJECT
Both sites are greenfield and form part of the historic landscape field pattern. They currently provide a green field break/ green corridor with hedgerows and link with the Local Wildlife Site / Ancient Woodlands at Park Wood. Ribbon development urbanises the rural lane and adds traffic pressure as the site would be car-based and lacks a walkway to services. Harm to Biodiversity.
BC1: OBJECT
Greenfield, also part of the medieval field pattern with historic hedgerow therefore harms biodiversity as well as the rural landscape. The site is on a bus route, although, due to poor frequency of service, it will inevitably be car-based.
BC2: SUPPORT
In principle support as this is the site of an old nursery, so close to brownfield status. If the trees are retained for both screening and to retain Biodiversity the impact is reduced. The site is on a bus route, although, due to poor frequency of service, it will inevitably be car-based.

To Rother District Council,
We have completed the online consultaion but send this additionally as background where we have had to edit comments to meet the word count.

A copy of this is attached. If it can be added in support of those comments, we would be most appreciative.

Wild About Burwash (WAB) response to Rother District Council Draft Local Plan: Consultation Stage Reg 18
WAB is a community group with more than 230 members, the majority of whom are residents in Burwash Parish. The group’s aims are to support and encourage the protection of, and improvements to, the natural environment of the parish. This includes talks, walks and other events. WAB volunteers do a lot for the local environment, including:
• Active recording of flora and fauna biodiversity through the National Biodiversity Records Office
• Monthly monitoring of the water quality and the state of the riverbanks of the River Dudwell, with support from the Environment Agency (this project is now expanding to the River Rother in association with other Wild About groups)
• Regular maintenance of St Phillips Church churchyard in association with the Sussex Botanical Recording Society to record and protect wildflowers in the churchyard + development of a wildflower verge in association with the Parish Council
• Light pollution monitoring in and around Burwash in association with the High Weald NL and nine other local parishes to apply for International Dark Skies Reserve status
• Apple picking in elderly residents’ gardens and local ancient orchards to create WAB apple juice. In 2025 we produced 1,200 bottles. Income from the juice goes to orchard restoration and development
• Active engagement with Scouting group and Burwash school on Dark Skies, Orchards and Rivers projects.
WAB’s suggestions for all future developments in Burwash
WAB suggests that any new development in Burwash parish should:
a. Be built on brown/grey field sites and not on greenfields
b. Not cause environmental / biodiversity harm that then requires to be "recovered" .
c. Be within walking distance of shops and services
d. Be screened to ensure the buildings are not harmful in the landscape
e. Have good local public transport links
f. Meet the local rural housing needs for starter and retirement homes.
All developments, if agreed, should meet environmentally-friendly energy requirements, be dark skies compliant in terms of windows and external lighting and support wildlife (e.g. swift bricks) .
QU 15: Vision for the Countryside
Whilst the reference to countryside here describes areas outside defined development boundaries, for rural parishes like Burwash the countryside is inseparable from the overall community; development invariably backs onto or is surrounded by countryside. The stated Vision for the future of the Countryside is worrying. The value of the countryside appears to be defined at point 6.97 solely in terms of economic productivity - either from food or tourism or the opportunity to conserve it. There is no reference to the inherent beauty of landscape - the High Weald represents one of the best-preserved remaining examples of a medieval landscape in western Europe - no reference to topography, hedgerows, trees, woodland and rivers. Even more alarmingly there is no mention of flora, fauna or even a nod to protecting biodiversity and nothing to describe remoteness, tranquility and a sense of place.
BW1: OBJECT
This is a greenfield site which includes Ancient Woodland and Priority Habitat, with three ponds and a stream. From a previous planning application which was turned down by RDC for representing "substantial harm to the landscape character and scenic beauty of the High Weald AONB (now NL), the presence of great-crested newts, grass snakes and slow worms were identified along with evidence of bats using habitat features on site and other protected wildlife. The site will be car-based and lacks a footpath to services.
BW2: SUPPORT
In principle support as the site is already built on. There is no footpath to the village and it would be car-based.
BW3 and BW4: OBJECT
Both sites are greenfield and form part of the historic landscape field pattern. They currently provide a green field break/ green corridor with hedgerows and link with the Local Wildlife Site / Ancient Woodlands at Park Wood. Ribbon development urbanises the rural lane and adds traffic pressure as the site would be car-based and lacks a walkway to services. Harm to Biodiversity.
BC1: OBJECT
Greenfield, also part of the medieval field pattern with historic hedgerow therefore harms biodiversity as well as the rural landscape. The site is on a bus route, although, due to poor frequency of service, it will inevitably be car-based.
BC2: SUPPORT
In principle support as this is the site of an old nursery, so close to brownfield status. If the trees are retained for both screening and to retain Biodiversity the impact is reduced. The site is on a bus route, although, due to poor frequency of service, it will inevitably be car-based.

To Rother District Council,
We have completed the online consultaion but send this additionally as background where we have had to edit comments to meet the word count.

A copy of this is attached. If it can be added in support of those comments, we would be most appreciative.

Wild About Burwash (WAB) response to Rother District Council Draft Local Plan: Consultation Stage Reg 18
WAB is a community group with more than 230 members, the majority of whom are residents in Burwash Parish. The group’s aims are to support and encourage the protection of, and improvements to, the natural environment of the parish. This includes talks, walks and other events. WAB volunteers do a lot for the local environment, including:
• Active recording of flora and fauna biodiversity through the National Biodiversity Records Office
• Monthly monitoring of the water quality and the state of the riverbanks of the River Dudwell, with support from the Environment Agency (this project is now expanding to the River Rother in association with other Wild About groups)
• Regular maintenance of St Phillips Church churchyard in association with the Sussex Botanical Recording Society to record and protect wildflowers in the churchyard + development of a wildflower verge in association with the Parish Council
• Light pollution monitoring in and around Burwash in association with the High Weald NL and nine other local parishes to apply for International Dark Skies Reserve status
• Apple picking in elderly residents’ gardens and local ancient orchards to create WAB apple juice. In 2025 we produced 1,200 bottles. Income from the juice goes to orchard restoration and development
• Active engagement with Scouting group and Burwash school on Dark Skies, Orchards and Rivers projects.
WAB’s suggestions for all future developments in Burwash
WAB suggests that any new development in Burwash parish should:
a. Be built on brown/grey field sites and not on greenfields
b. Not cause environmental / biodiversity harm that then requires to be "recovered" .
c. Be within walking distance of shops and services
d. Be screened to ensure the buildings are not harmful in the landscape
e. Have good local public transport links
f. Meet the local rural housing needs for starter and retirement homes.
All developments, if agreed, should meet environmentally-friendly energy requirements, be dark skies compliant in terms of windows and external lighting and support wildlife (e.g. swift bricks) .
QU 15: Vision for the Countryside
Whilst the reference to countryside here describes areas outside defined development boundaries, for rural parishes like Burwash the countryside is inseparable from the overall community; development invariably backs onto or is surrounded by countryside. The stated Vision for the future of the Countryside is worrying. The value of the countryside appears to be defined at point 6.97 solely in terms of economic productivity - either from food or tourism or the opportunity to conserve it. There is no reference to the inherent beauty of landscape - the High Weald represents one of the best-preserved remaining examples of a medieval landscape in western Europe - no reference to topography, hedgerows, trees, woodland and rivers. Even more alarmingly there is no mention of flora, fauna or even a nod to protecting biodiversity and nothing to describe remoteness, tranquility and a sense of place.
BW1: OBJECT
This is a greenfield site which includes Ancient Woodland and Priority Habitat, with three ponds and a stream. From a previous planning application which was turned down by RDC for representing "substantial harm to the landscape character and scenic beauty of the High Weald AONB (now NL), the presence of great-crested newts, grass snakes and slow worms were identified along with evidence of bats using habitat features on site and other protected wildlife. The site will be car-based and lacks a footpath to services.
BW2: SUPPORT
In principle support as the site is already built on. There is no footpath to the village and it would be car-based.
BW3 and BW4: OBJECT
Both sites are greenfield and form part of the historic landscape field pattern. They currently provide a green field break/ green corridor with hedgerows and link with the Local Wildlife Site / Ancient Woodlands at Park Wood. Ribbon development urbanises the rural lane and adds traffic pressure as the site would be car-based and lacks a walkway to services. Harm to Biodiversity.
BC1: OBJECT
Greenfield, also part of the medieval field pattern with historic hedgerow therefore harms biodiversity as well as the rural landscape. The site is on a bus route, although, due to poor frequency of service, it will inevitably be car-based.
BC2: SUPPORT
In principle support as this is the site of an old nursery, so close to brownfield status. If the trees are retained for both screening and to retain Biodiversity the impact is reduced. The site is on a bus route, although, due to poor frequency of service, it will inevitably be car-based.

To Rother District Council,
We have completed the online consultaion but send this additionally as background where we have had to edit comments to meet the word count.

A copy of this is attached. If it can be added in support of those comments, we would be most appreciative.

Wild About Burwash (WAB) response to Rother District Council Draft Local Plan: Consultation Stage Reg 18
WAB is a community group with more than 230 members, the majority of whom are residents in Burwash Parish. The group’s aims are to support and encourage the protection of, and improvements to, the natural environment of the parish. This includes talks, walks and other events. WAB volunteers do a lot for the local environment, including:
• Active recording of flora and fauna biodiversity through the National Biodiversity Records Office
• Monthly monitoring of the water quality and the state of the riverbanks of the River Dudwell, with support from the Environment Agency (this project is now expanding to the River Rother in association with other Wild About groups)
• Regular maintenance of St Phillips Church churchyard in association with the Sussex Botanical Recording Society to record and protect wildflowers in the churchyard + development of a wildflower verge in association with the Parish Council
• Light pollution monitoring in and around Burwash in association with the High Weald NL and nine other local parishes to apply for International Dark Skies Reserve status
• Apple picking in elderly residents’ gardens and local ancient orchards to create WAB apple juice. In 2025 we produced 1,200 bottles. Income from the juice goes to orchard restoration and development
• Active engagement with Scouting group and Burwash school on Dark Skies, Orchards and Rivers projects.
WAB’s suggestions for all future developments in Burwash
WAB suggests that any new development in Burwash parish should:
a. Be built on brown/grey field sites and not on greenfields
b. Not cause environmental / biodiversity harm that then requires to be "recovered" .
c. Be within walking distance of shops and services
d. Be screened to ensure the buildings are not harmful in the landscape
e. Have good local public transport links
f. Meet the local rural housing needs for starter and retirement homes.
All developments, if agreed, should meet environmentally-friendly energy requirements, be dark skies compliant in terms of windows and external lighting and support wildlife (e.g. swift bricks) .
QU 15: Vision for the Countryside
Whilst the reference to countryside here describes areas outside defined development boundaries, for rural parishes like Burwash the countryside is inseparable from the overall community; development invariably backs onto or is surrounded by countryside. The stated Vision for the future of the Countryside is worrying. The value of the countryside appears to be defined at point 6.97 solely in terms of economic productivity - either from food or tourism or the opportunity to conserve it. There is no reference to the inherent beauty of landscape - the High Weald represents one of the best-preserved remaining examples of a medieval landscape in western Europe - no reference to topography, hedgerows, trees, woodland and rivers. Even more alarmingly there is no mention of flora, fauna or even a nod to protecting biodiversity and nothing to describe remoteness, tranquility and a sense of place.
BW1: OBJECT
This is a greenfield site which includes Ancient Woodland and Priority Habitat, with three ponds and a stream. From a previous planning application which was turned down by RDC for representing "substantial harm to the landscape character and scenic beauty of the High Weald AONB (now NL), the presence of great-crested newts, grass snakes and slow worms were identified along with evidence of bats using habitat features on site and other protected wildlife. The site will be car-based and lacks a footpath to services.
BW2: SUPPORT
In principle support as the site is already built on. There is no footpath to the village and it would be car-based.
BW3 and BW4: OBJECT
Both sites are greenfield and form part of the historic landscape field pattern. They currently provide a green field break/ green corridor with hedgerows and link with the Local Wildlife Site / Ancient Woodlands at Park Wood. Ribbon development urbanises the rural lane and adds traffic pressure as the site would be car-based and lacks a walkway to services. Harm to Biodiversity.
BC1: OBJECT
Greenfield, also part of the medieval field pattern with historic hedgerow therefore harms biodiversity as well as the rural landscape. The site is on a bus route, although, due to poor frequency of service, it will inevitably be car-based.
BC2: SUPPORT
In principle support as this is the site of an old nursery, so close to brownfield status. If the trees are retained for both screening and to retain Biodiversity the impact is reduced. The site is on a bus route, although, due to poor frequency of service, it will inevitably be car-based.

To Rother District Council,
We have completed the online consultaion but send this additionally as background where we have had to edit comments to meet the word count.

A copy of this is attached. If it can be added in support of those comments, we would be most appreciative.

Wild About Burwash (WAB) response to Rother District Council Draft Local Plan: Consultation Stage Reg 18
WAB is a community group with more than 230 members, the majority of whom are residents in Burwash Parish. The group’s aims are to support and encourage the protection of, and improvements to, the natural environment of the parish. This includes talks, walks and other events. WAB volunteers do a lot for the local environment, including:
• Active recording of flora and fauna biodiversity through the National Biodiversity Records Office
• Monthly monitoring of the water quality and the state of the riverbanks of the River Dudwell, with support from the Environment Agency (this project is now expanding to the River Rother in association with other Wild About groups)
• Regular maintenance of St Phillips Church churchyard in association with the Sussex Botanical Recording Society to record and protect wildflowers in the churchyard + development of a wildflower verge in association with the Parish Council
• Light pollution monitoring in and around Burwash in association with the High Weald NL and nine other local parishes to apply for International Dark Skies Reserve status
• Apple picking in elderly residents’ gardens and local ancient orchards to create WAB apple juice. In 2025 we produced 1,200 bottles. Income from the juice goes to orchard restoration and development
• Active engagement with Scouting group and Burwash school on Dark Skies, Orchards and Rivers projects.
WAB’s suggestions for all future developments in Burwash
WAB suggests that any new development in Burwash parish should:
a. Be built on brown/grey field sites and not on greenfields
b. Not cause environmental / biodiversity harm that then requires to be "recovered" .
c. Be within walking distance of shops and services
d. Be screened to ensure the buildings are not harmful in the landscape
e. Have good local public transport links
f. Meet the local rural housing needs for starter and retirement homes.
All developments, if agreed, should meet environmentally-friendly energy requirements, be dark skies compliant in terms of windows and external lighting and support wildlife (e.g. swift bricks) .
QU 15: Vision for the Countryside
Whilst the reference to countryside here describes areas outside defined development boundaries, for rural parishes like Burwash the countryside is inseparable from the overall community; development invariably backs onto or is surrounded by countryside. The stated Vision for the future of the Countryside is worrying. The value of the countryside appears to be defined at point 6.97 solely in terms of economic productivity - either from food or tourism or the opportunity to conserve it. There is no reference to the inherent beauty of landscape - the High Weald represents one of the best-preserved remaining examples of a medieval landscape in western Europe - no reference to topography, hedgerows, trees, woodland and rivers. Even more alarmingly there is no mention of flora, fauna or even a nod to protecting biodiversity and nothing to describe remoteness, tranquility and a sense of place.
BW1: OBJECT
This is a greenfield site which includes Ancient Woodland and Priority Habitat, with three ponds and a stream. From a previous planning application which was turned down by RDC for representing "substantial harm to the landscape character and scenic beauty of the High Weald AONB (now NL), the presence of great-crested newts, grass snakes and slow worms were identified along with evidence of bats using habitat features on site and other protected wildlife. The site will be car-based and lacks a footpath to services.
BW2: SUPPORT
In principle support as the site is already built on. There is no footpath to the village and it would be car-based.
BW3 and BW4: OBJECT
Both sites are greenfield and form part of the historic landscape field pattern. They currently provide a green field break/ green corridor with hedgerows and link with the Local Wildlife Site / Ancient Woodlands at Park Wood. Ribbon development urbanises the rural lane and adds traffic pressure as the site would be car-based and lacks a walkway to services. Harm to Biodiversity.
BC1: OBJECT
Greenfield, also part of the medieval field pattern with historic hedgerow therefore harms biodiversity as well as the rural landscape. The site is on a bus route, although, due to poor frequency of service, it will inevitably be car-based.
BC2: SUPPORT
In principle support as this is the site of an old nursery, so close to brownfield status. If the trees are retained for both screening and to retain Biodiversity the impact is reduced. The site is on a bus route, although, due to poor frequency of service, it will inevitably be car-based.

To Rother District Council,
We have completed the online consultaion but send this additionally as background where we have had to edit comments to meet the word count.

A copy of this is attached. If it can be added in support of those comments, we would be most appreciative.

Wild About Burwash (WAB) response to Rother District Council Draft Local Plan: Consultation Stage Reg 18
WAB is a community group with more than 230 members, the majority of whom are residents in Burwash Parish. The group’s aims are to support and encourage the protection of, and improvements to, the natural environment of the parish. This includes talks, walks and other events. WAB volunteers do a lot for the local environment, including:
• Active recording of flora and fauna biodiversity through the National Biodiversity Records Office
• Monthly monitoring of the water quality and the state of the riverbanks of the River Dudwell, with support from the Environment Agency (this project is now expanding to the River Rother in association with other Wild About groups)
• Regular maintenance of St Phillips Church churchyard in association with the Sussex Botanical Recording Society to record and protect wildflowers in the churchyard + development of a wildflower verge in association with the Parish Council
• Light pollution monitoring in and around Burwash in association with the High Weald NL and nine other local parishes to apply for International Dark Skies Reserve status
• Apple picking in elderly residents’ gardens and local ancient orchards to create WAB apple juice. In 2025 we produced 1,200 bottles. Income from the juice goes to orchard restoration and development
• Active engagement with Scouting group and Burwash school on Dark Skies, Orchards and Rivers projects.
WAB’s suggestions for all future developments in Burwash
WAB suggests that any new development in Burwash parish should:
a. Be built on brown/grey field sites and not on greenfields
b. Not cause environmental / biodiversity harm that then requires to be "recovered" .
c. Be within walking distance of shops and services
d. Be screened to ensure the buildings are not harmful in the landscape
e. Have good local public transport links
f. Meet the local rural housing needs for starter and retirement homes.
All developments, if agreed, should meet environmentally-friendly energy requirements, be dark skies compliant in terms of windows and external lighting and support wildlife (e.g. swift bricks) .
QU 15: Vision for the Countryside
Whilst the reference to countryside here describes areas outside defined development boundaries, for rural parishes like Burwash the countryside is inseparable from the overall community; development invariably backs onto or is surrounded by countryside. The stated Vision for the future of the Countryside is worrying. The value of the countryside appears to be defined at point 6.97 solely in terms of economic productivity - either from food or tourism or the opportunity to conserve it. There is no reference to the inherent beauty of landscape - the High Weald represents one of the best-preserved remaining examples of a medieval landscape in western Europe - no reference to topography, hedgerows, trees, woodland and rivers. Even more alarmingly there is no mention of flora, fauna or even a nod to protecting biodiversity and nothing to describe remoteness, tranquility and a sense of place.
BW1: OBJECT
This is a greenfield site which includes Ancient Woodland and Priority Habitat, with three ponds and a stream. From a previous planning application which was turned down by RDC for representing "substantial harm to the landscape character and scenic beauty of the High Weald AONB (now NL), the presence of great-crested newts, grass snakes and slow worms were identified along with evidence of bats using habitat features on site and other protected wildlife. The site will be car-based and lacks a footpath to services.
BW2: SUPPORT
In principle support as the site is already built on. There is no footpath to the village and it would be car-based.
BW3 and BW4: OBJECT
Both sites are greenfield and form part of the historic landscape field pattern. They currently provide a green field break/ green corridor with hedgerows and link with the Local Wildlife Site / Ancient Woodlands at Park Wood. Ribbon development urbanises the rural lane and adds traffic pressure as the site would be car-based and lacks a walkway to services. Harm to Biodiversity.
BC1: OBJECT
Greenfield, also part of the medieval field pattern with historic hedgerow therefore harms biodiversity as well as the rural landscape. The site is on a bus route, although, due to poor frequency of service, it will inevitably be car-based.
BC2: SUPPORT
In principle support as this is the site of an old nursery, so close to brownfield status. If the trees are retained for both screening and to retain Biodiversity the impact is reduced. The site is on a bus route, although, due to poor frequency of service, it will inevitably be car-based.

To Rother District Council,
We have completed the online consultaion but send this additionally as background where we have had to edit comments to meet the word count.

A copy of this is attached. If it can be added in support of those comments, we would be most appreciative.

Wild About Burwash (WAB) response to Rother District Council Draft Local Plan: Consultation Stage Reg 18
WAB is a community group with more than 230 members, the majority of whom are residents in Burwash Parish. The group’s aims are to support and encourage the protection of, and improvements to, the natural environment of the parish. This includes talks, walks and other events. WAB volunteers do a lot for the local environment, including:
• Active recording of flora and fauna biodiversity through the National Biodiversity Records Office
• Monthly monitoring of the water quality and the state of the riverbanks of the River Dudwell, with support from the Environment Agency (this project is now expanding to the River Rother in association with other Wild About groups)
• Regular maintenance of St Phillips Church churchyard in association with the Sussex Botanical Recording Society to record and protect wildflowers in the churchyard + development of a wildflower verge in association with the Parish Council
• Light pollution monitoring in and around Burwash in association with the High Weald NL and nine other local parishes to apply for International Dark Skies Reserve status
• Apple picking in elderly residents’ gardens and local ancient orchards to create WAB apple juice. In 2025 we produced 1,200 bottles. Income from the juice goes to orchard restoration and development
• Active engagement with Scouting group and Burwash school on Dark Skies, Orchards and Rivers projects.
WAB’s suggestions for all future developments in Burwash
WAB suggests that any new development in Burwash parish should:
a. Be built on brown/grey field sites and not on greenfields
b. Not cause environmental / biodiversity harm that then requires to be "recovered" .
c. Be within walking distance of shops and services
d. Be screened to ensure the buildings are not harmful in the landscape
e. Have good local public transport links
f. Meet the local rural housing needs for starter and retirement homes.
All developments, if agreed, should meet environmentally-friendly energy requirements, be dark skies compliant in terms of windows and external lighting and support wildlife (e.g. swift bricks) .
QU 15: Vision for the Countryside
Whilst the reference to countryside here describes areas outside defined development boundaries, for rural parishes like Burwash the countryside is inseparable from the overall community; development invariably backs onto or is surrounded by countryside. The stated Vision for the future of the Countryside is worrying. The value of the countryside appears to be defined at point 6.97 solely in terms of economic productivity - either from food or tourism or the opportunity to conserve it. There is no reference to the inherent beauty of landscape - the High Weald represents one of the best-preserved remaining examples of a medieval landscape in western Europe - no reference to topography, hedgerows, trees, woodland and rivers. Even more alarmingly there is no mention of flora, fauna or even a nod to protecting biodiversity and nothing to describe remoteness, tranquility and a sense of place.
BW1: OBJECT
This is a greenfield site which includes Ancient Woodland and Priority Habitat, with three ponds and a stream. From a previous planning application which was turned down by RDC for representing "substantial harm to the landscape character and scenic beauty of the High Weald AONB (now NL), the presence of great-crested newts, grass snakes and slow worms were identified along with evidence of bats using habitat features on site and other protected wildlife. The site will be car-based and lacks a footpath to services.
BW2: SUPPORT
In principle support as the site is already built on. There is no footpath to the village and it would be car-based.
BW3 and BW4: OBJECT
Both sites are greenfield and form part of the historic landscape field pattern. They currently provide a green field break/ green corridor with hedgerows and link with the Local Wildlife Site / Ancient Woodlands at Park Wood. Ribbon development urbanises the rural lane and adds traffic pressure as the site would be car-based and lacks a walkway to services. Harm to Biodiversity.
BC1: OBJECT
Greenfield, also part of the medieval field pattern with historic hedgerow therefore harms biodiversity as well as the rural landscape. The site is on a bus route, although, due to poor frequency of service, it will inevitably be car-based.
BC2: SUPPORT
In principle support as this is the site of an old nursery, so close to brownfield status. If the trees are retained for both screening and to retain Biodiversity the impact is reduced. The site is on a bus route, although, due to poor frequency of service, it will inevitably be car-based.