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

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

Site at Cherry Tree Nursery, Hawkhurst Road, The Mount, Flimwell, TN5 7QL

I write on behalf of our clients, Cherry Tree Farm Investments Ltd. and Mr. David
John Harvey.

As you will be aware, we prepared representations on behalf of the above
landowners in 2024.

We have now had a chance to discuss the latest version of the Draft Local Plan and
Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA), and the comments
therein and the contents of the draft Local Plan (Development Strategy and Site
Allocations).

We are pleased to see that the sites are considered potentially suitable, available
and deliverable, subject to final assessment and that they have been included in the
draft local plan under policy reference FW2b (which for clarification also includes the
Weald Smokery site to the west of the Nursery; reference made here to FW2b does
not include the Smokery site as it is outside our clients’ ownership).

Our understanding is that the Local Authority’s preference is for the owners of the
various parcels of land that comprise TIC0095, TIC0029, and TIC 0097/FW2a and
FW2b to come forward together as a comprehensive development in order to
facilitate the following:

• Measures to improve the experience of walking alongside Hawkhurst Road
• Retention of the existing retail use at FW2b (The Weald Smokery) or its
replacement with a convenience store.
• Provision for a new community facility and LEAP within FW2b
• Improvements to wider pedestrian and cycle connectivity
Other requirements include a substantial area of Green Infrastructure.

FW2b is considered able to accommodate some 70 new dwellings.

On behalf of Cherry Tree Farm Investments Ltd. and Mr. Harvey, we confirm that
their land remains available and that both parties are willing to commence work with
the local authority and the neighbouring land owners.

Notwithstanding that the Authority’s preferred route is to develop FW2a alongside
FW2b, and our clients’ willingness to work with the other parties, it should be noted
that the land at Cherry Tree Nursery and the land to its rear owned by Mr Harvey
could be developed in its own right without relying on the development of FW2a. In
particular, its development is not hampered by access issues onto the A21.

A well designed scheme for the development of FW2b could quite easily incorporate
a future route through to FW2a if required.

FW2b lies a short walk from a bus stop (0.1mile to the west) and the site access off
the A268 Hawkhurst Road is established. A safe pedestrian and vehicular access
could be achieved as confirmed by the Highway Authority in response to application
reference RR/2020/174/P.

The site is not isolated as demonstrated in our earlier correspondence of July 2014
(Representations) which is attached to this letter for ease of reference.

The Authority’s published housing land supply is currently less than 3 years. It would
seem sensible to take a positive approach to developing the land at Cherry Tree
Nursery regardless of the position of other landowners.

Please see attached representations from 2024.