Rother Local Plan 2025-2042 – Development Strategy and Site Allocations
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Rother Local Plan 2025-2042 – Development Strategy and Site Allocations
Q1
Representation ID: 28695
Received: 18/02/2026
Respondent: NHS Sussex
NHS Sussex - Primary care support the Local Plan objectives but request stronger and explicit recognition of primary healthcare infrastructure as essential infrastructure. Healthcare provision must be planned and delivered alongside housing growth to ensure sustainable, healthy communities and avoid placing unsustainable pressure on existing GP services.
NHS Sussex - Primary care support the Local Plan objectives but request stronger and explicit recognition of primary healthcare infrastructure as essential infrastructure. Healthcare provision must be planned and delivered alongside housing growth to ensure sustainable, healthy communities and avoid placing unsustainable pressure on existing GP services.
Object
Rother Local Plan 2025-2042 – Development Strategy and Site Allocations
Q2
Representation ID: 28697
Received: 18/02/2026
Respondent: NHS Sussex
NHS Sussex - PC object to the proposed housing target unless firm commitments are made to deliver healthcare infrastructure alongside housing growth.
Additions of 495 dwellings per annum, will significantly increase demand for GP services. Existing practices in Rother are already under pressure, and additional growth without mitigation will worsen access to care and place unsustainable strain on services.
The Local Plan does not provide sufficient assurance that primary care infrastructure will be delivered in parallel with housing. Without explicit policy support and secured developer contributions, there is a risk that housing will be occupied before adequate healthcare capacity is in place.
The Plan must explicitly recognise primary healthcare as essential infrastructure and require timely delivery or expansion of GP facilities to support sustainable communities. Without this, the housing target is not supported.
NHS Sussex - PC object to the proposed housing target unless firm commitments are made to deliver healthcare infrastructure alongside housing growth.
Additions of 495 dwellings per annum, will significantly increase demand for GP services. Existing practices in Rother are already under pressure, and additional growth without mitigation will worsen access to care and place unsustainable strain on services.
The Local Plan does not provide sufficient assurance that primary care infrastructure will be delivered in parallel with housing. Without explicit policy support and secured developer contributions, there is a risk that housing will be occupied before adequate healthcare capacity is in place.
The Plan must explicitly recognise primary healthcare as essential infrastructure and require timely delivery or expansion of GP facilities to support sustainable communities. Without this, the housing target is not supported.
Support
Rother Local Plan 2025-2042 – Development Strategy and Site Allocations
Q3
Representation ID: 28698
Received: 18/02/2026
Respondent: NHS Sussex
NHS Sussex-PC support the objective of strengthening the local economy and creating jobs. However, increased employment, particularly in logistics, industrial, and town centre uses, will increase daytime and resident populations, placing additional pressure on already constrained GP services.
The Local Plan does not adequately recognise the impact of employment growth on primary healthcare capacity. Economic growth must be supported by appropriate healthcare infrastructure to ensure a healthy and productive workforce.
The Plan should explicitly recognise primary healthcare as essential infrastructure and require developer contributions where employment development generates additional healthcare demand. Healthcare facilities should also be considered within mixed-use and town centre developments to improve accessibility.
Without appropriate healthcare infrastructure planning alongside economic growth, there is a risk of unsustainable pressure on primary care services and reduced access for both existing and future populations.
NHS Sussex-PC support the objective of strengthening the local economy and creating jobs. However, increased employment, particularly in logistics, industrial, and town centre uses, will increase daytime and resident populations, placing additional pressure on already constrained GP services.
The Local Plan does not adequately recognise the impact of employment growth on primary healthcare capacity. Economic growth must be supported by appropriate healthcare infrastructure to ensure a healthy and productive workforce.
The Plan should explicitly recognise primary healthcare as essential infrastructure and require developer contributions where employment development generates additional healthcare demand. Healthcare facilities should also be considered within mixed-use and town centre developments to improve accessibility.
Without appropriate healthcare infrastructure planning alongside economic growth, there is a risk of unsustainable pressure on primary care services and reduced access for both existing and future populations.
Support
Rother Local Plan 2025-2042 – Development Strategy and Site Allocations
Q4
Representation ID: 28699
Received: 18/02/2026
Respondent: NHS Sussex
Primary care providers support the identification of accommodation needs for gypsies, travellers, and travelling showpeople. However, the Local Plan does not adequately address the impact of new pitches on primary healthcare services.
New permanent or transit pitches will increase demand for GP services, and many traveller communities already experience significant health inequalities and require enhanced access to primary care. Without appropriate planning, this could place additional strain on already constrained GP practices.
The Local Plan should explicitly recognise the need to assess and mitigate healthcare impacts arising from new traveller site allocations. Where new pitches are proposed, appropriate healthcare provision must be considered, including accessibility to GP services and, where necessary, developer contributions toward expanding local primary care capacity.
This is essential to ensure equitable access to healthcare and to support sustainable, inclusive communities.
Primary care providers support the identification of accommodation needs for gypsies, travellers, and travelling showpeople. However, the Local Plan does not adequately address the impact of new pitches on primary healthcare services.
New permanent or transit pitches will increase demand for GP services, and many traveller communities already experience significant health inequalities and require enhanced access to primary care. Without appropriate planning, this could place additional strain on already constrained GP practices.
The Local Plan should explicitly recognise the need to assess and mitigate healthcare impacts arising from new traveller site allocations. Where new pitches are proposed, appropriate healthcare provision must be considered, including accessibility to GP services and, where necessary, developer contributions toward expanding local primary care capacity.
This is essential to ensure equitable access to healthcare and to support sustainable, inclusive communities.
Support
Rother Local Plan 2025-2042 – Development Strategy and Site Allocations
Q5
Representation ID: 28700
Received: 18/02/2026
Respondent: NHS Sussex
Primary care infrastructure must be identified as a critical priority within the Infrastructure Delivery Plan. Existing GP practices in Rother are already operating at or near capacity, and the proposed housing and population growth will significantly increase demand.
The IDP must clearly identify current capacity constraints, required expansions, new healthcare facilities, and delivery timescales. Healthcare infrastructure must be planned and delivered in parallel with housing growth, not after occupation.
The Local Plan should include explicit policy mechanisms to secure developer contributions toward primary care infrastructure, including new or expanded GP premises, to ensure services remain accessible and sustainable.
Without clear, funded, and deliverable primary care infrastructure, the proposed growth risks worsening access to healthcare and undermining the creation of healthy, sustainable communities. Primary care provision must be treated as essential infrastructure.
Primary care infrastructure must be identified as a critical priority within the Infrastructure Delivery Plan. Existing GP practices in Rother are already operating at or near capacity, and the proposed housing and population growth will significantly increase demand.
The IDP must clearly identify current capacity constraints, required expansions, new healthcare facilities, and delivery timescales. Healthcare infrastructure must be planned and delivered in parallel with housing growth, not after occupation.
The Local Plan should include explicit policy mechanisms to secure developer contributions toward primary care infrastructure, including new or expanded GP premises, to ensure services remain accessible and sustainable.
Without clear, funded, and deliverable primary care infrastructure, the proposed growth risks worsening access to healthcare and undermining the creation of healthy, sustainable communities. Primary care provision must be treated as essential infrastructure.
Support
Rother Local Plan 2025-2042 – Development Strategy and Site Allocations
Q6
Representation ID: 28702
Received: 18/02/2026
Respondent: NHS Sussex
NHS Sussex-PC support directing growth toward larger settlements such as those along the A21 corridor, where existing services and infrastructure are present. However, many GP practices in these areas are already operating at or near capacity.
The Development Strategy must ensure that site selection is aligned with confirmed primary care capacity and deliverable plans for expansion or new healthcare facilities. Growth should not be directed to settlements without clear, funded mechanisms to increase GP capacity.
The Local Plan and Infrastructure Delivery Plan must demonstrate how primary care infrastructure will be expanded alongside development, including phasing aligned with housing delivery and secured developer contributions.
Without clear healthcare infrastructure planning, directing growth to these settlements risks placing unsustainable pressure on GP services and undermining the objective of creating sustainable communities.
NHS Sussex-PC support directing growth toward larger settlements such as those along the A21 corridor, where existing services and infrastructure are present. However, many GP practices in these areas are already operating at or near capacity.
The Development Strategy must ensure that site selection is aligned with confirmed primary care capacity and deliverable plans for expansion or new healthcare facilities. Growth should not be directed to settlements without clear, funded mechanisms to increase GP capacity.
The Local Plan and Infrastructure Delivery Plan must demonstrate how primary care infrastructure will be expanded alongside development, including phasing aligned with housing delivery and secured developer contributions.
Without clear healthcare infrastructure planning, directing growth to these settlements risks placing unsustainable pressure on GP services and undermining the objective of creating sustainable communities.
Support
Rother Local Plan 2025-2042 – Development Strategy and Site Allocations
Q7
Representation ID: 28703
Received: 18/02/2026
Respondent: NHS Sussex
NHS Sussex-PC support the preferred density approach (Option B) in the updated HELAA and Density Study (2026), which balances higher urban densities with context-sensitive lower densities in suburban and village areas. Ensuring higher densities in Bexhill, Battle, and Rye must be paired with adequate planning for GP services, community health facilities, and supporting infrastructure to meet increased population needs. The flexibility offered by density ranges and averages allows developments to incorporate health-promoting design, such as walkable routes, green spaces, and local services. Ongoing monitoring of population growth alongside healthcare capacity will be essential to maintain accessible and sustainable primary care provision.
NHS Sussex-PC support the preferred density approach (Option B) in the updated HELAA and Density Study (2026), which balances higher urban densities with context-sensitive lower densities in suburban and village areas. Ensuring higher densities in Bexhill, Battle, and Rye must be paired with adequate planning for GP services, community health facilities, and supporting infrastructure to meet increased population needs. The flexibility offered by density ranges and averages allows developments to incorporate health-promoting design, such as walkable routes, green spaces, and local services. Ongoing monitoring of population growth alongside healthcare capacity will be essential to maintain accessible and sustainable primary care provision.
Support
Rother Local Plan 2025-2042 – Development Strategy and Site Allocations
Q8
Representation ID: 28704
Received: 18/02/2026
Respondent: NHS Sussex
From a primary care perspective, we welcome the Council’s landscape-led Development Strategy and the focus on the ‘Live Well Locally’ concept, which supports access to services and sustainable travel. Concentrating growth in Bexhill, Rye, Battle, and surrounding settlement clusters should be accompanied by proportionate planning for GP services, community health facilities, and social care infrastructure to meet the needs of an expanding population. The strategy’s emphasis on urban intensification, brownfield redevelopment, and sensitive growth in rural settlements aligns with promoting walkable communities and access to local services, which are important for physical and mental health. We note that development within the High Weald National Landscape must balance housing needs with conservation priorities. Ensuring that health services are adequately planned alongside any major or small-scale development is essential to maintain accessibility and sustainability of primary care provision as housing delivery progresses across the district.
From a primary care perspective, we welcome the Council’s landscape-led Development Strategy and the focus on the ‘Live Well Locally’ concept, which supports access to services and sustainable travel. Concentrating growth in Bexhill, Rye, Battle, and surrounding settlement clusters should be accompanied by proportionate planning for GP services, community health facilities, and social care infrastructure to meet the needs of an expanding population. The strategy’s emphasis on urban intensification, brownfield redevelopment, and sensitive growth in rural settlements aligns with promoting walkable communities and access to local services, which are important for physical and mental health. We note that development within the High Weald National Landscape must balance housing needs with conservation priorities. Ensuring that health services are adequately planned alongside any major or small-scale development is essential to maintain accessibility and sustainability of primary care provision as housing delivery progresses across the district.
Support
Rother Local Plan 2025-2042 – Development Strategy and Site Allocations
Q9
Representation ID: 28705
Received: 18/02/2026
Respondent: NHS Sussex
From a primary care perspective, we welcome the clarity provided on the proposed growth opportunities across Rother’s sub-areas. The significant increase in housing, particularly in Bexhill, Battle, Rye, and the northern settlements, highlights the need to ensure that primary care services, community health facilities, and social care infrastructure are planned and delivered in line with population growth. We support the use of a stepped trajectory to manage housing delivery, as this provides an opportunity to phase health service expansion alongside new development, helping maintain accessibility and service quality. The emphasis on development in sustainable locations and urban intensification aligns with promoting walkable communities and access to local services, which benefits physical and mental wellbeing. We also encourage ongoing assessment of healthcare capacity as new employment and residential growth occurs, ensuring that GP services, clinics, and community health facilities remain sufficient to meet the needs of both existing and new residents.
From a primary care perspective, we welcome the clarity provided on the proposed growth opportunities across Rother’s sub-areas. The significant increase in housing, particularly in Bexhill, Battle, Rye, and the northern settlements, highlights the need to ensure that primary care services, community health facilities, and social care infrastructure are planned and delivered in line with population growth. We support the use of a stepped trajectory to manage housing delivery, as this provides an opportunity to phase health service expansion alongside new development, helping maintain accessibility and service quality. The emphasis on development in sustainable locations and urban intensification aligns with promoting walkable communities and access to local services, which benefits physical and mental wellbeing. We also encourage ongoing assessment of healthcare capacity as new employment and residential growth occurs, ensuring that GP services, clinics, and community health facilities remain sufficient to meet the needs of both existing and new residents.
Support
Rother Local Plan 2025-2042 – Development Strategy and Site Allocations
Q8
Representation ID: 28706
Received: 18/02/2026
Respondent: NHS Sussex
NHS Sussex welcome the Council’s landscape-led Development Strategy and the emphasis on sustainable, connected growth through the ‘Live Well Locally’ approach. Focusing development in Bexhill, Rye, Battle, and surrounding settlement clusters should be accompanied by proportionate planning for primary care, community health facilities, and social care infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing population. The strategy’s support for urban intensification, brownfield redevelopment, and sensitive rural growth promotes accessible, walkable communities, which can enhance physical and mental wellbeing. We note the inclusion of the High Weald National Landscape and the commitment to conserve its character and ecological features. Any development within or adjacent to this area should be carefully planned to avoid isolating communities or restricting access to services, and healthcare provision must be considered in parallel. Continuous monitoring of population growth alongside primary care capacity is essential to ensure sustainable, equitable access to healthcare as housing delivery progresses.
NHS Sussex welcome the Council’s landscape-led Development Strategy and the emphasis on sustainable, connected growth through the ‘Live Well Locally’ approach. Focusing development in Bexhill, Rye, Battle, and surrounding settlement clusters should be accompanied by proportionate planning for primary care, community health facilities, and social care infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing population. The strategy’s support for urban intensification, brownfield redevelopment, and sensitive rural growth promotes accessible, walkable communities, which can enhance physical and mental wellbeing. We note the inclusion of the High Weald National Landscape and the commitment to conserve its character and ecological features. Any development within or adjacent to this area should be carefully planned to avoid isolating communities or restricting access to services, and healthcare provision must be considered in parallel. Continuous monitoring of population growth alongside primary care capacity is essential to ensure sustainable, equitable access to healthcare as housing delivery progresses.
