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

Monday 23rd March 2025

Objection to the Draft Rother Local Plan (2025 – 2042) Land at Almonry Farm (policy BT7) on behalf of residents of Asten Fields, from the Asten Fields Residents Association.

Dear Rother District Council,

On behalf of the Residents of Asten Fields, I am writing to you to formally object to the above proposals. As Chair of the Residents Association, it is upon me to write to you and express this objection.

Out of the 78 properties within Asten Fields, I have met and spoke directly with 60 households to encourage responses to the consultation process. Each and every household has expressed clear objection to the plan. There have been many concerns raised by residents, though they do follow similar headings as described below:
Infrastructure concerns:
Residents have not been assured by the plan that Battle has sufficient infrastructure for the 80 or so houses proposed for the plot. Concerns raised centred around:
• Heavy demand placed upon local roads and the roads in the area becoming more clogged with local traffic on roads which are already struggling.
• Lack of regular public transport and pressure placed on existing ones,
• Insufficient utilities, including water and sewage provisions to deal with the demands,
• Surface water run off leading to the increased demands on the local shaw, fields and lowlands,
• Demand on local services, such as doctor’s surgeries, dentists, health services, Schools and amenities.
Residents were concerned about the effects on the Environment this vast development will have these included:
• The loss of natural habitats for insects, birds, mammals and reptiles as the land has a number of know species of animals present that support the local ecosystem.
• The loss of habitat for plants, trees and flowers.
• The effects and impingement on to ancient woodland, such as Manser’s Shaw and impingement onto ancient hedgerows as the development runs up close to these areas.
• The hydrology of the area, considering this to be a zone 2 & 3 flood zone and the effects development would have on the shaw and drainage of the land,
• Increase pollution from more vehicles on the traffic clogged roads, especially at schooltime and during the day,
• The loss of farmland to development as rother has defined this considered prime farmland,
• The encroachment onto our national landscape with the walk and view from the footpath being obstructed by the development,
• The removal or the re-direction of the footpath away from its original path,
• The change of the aesthetics for the local area.

Effects on our local Heritage:
Residents expressed many concerns about the loss of Heritage and the general feel of the town. Many residents had objections due to the nature of our town, it being one of the most important towns in England. Encroachment onto potential Battlefields and the general aesthetics of heavy development would ruin the town and its appeal. Many people visit not only for its historical importance, but to enjoy Battles surrounding wildness, walks and countryside. Once this is gone, residents feel it will be lost forever.

Residents who live in Asten Fields, who follow the walks, woods and use the countryside and, enjoy living in the town are deeply worried about the plan. What this and other developments means is loss of the open spaces that we all treasure. A deep sense of loss is felt as the environment around us is lost to development.

Within the local plan, the residents see no commitment to improvements of the local neighbourhood, infrastructure and services. Many services in place are already under pressure, roads crumbling with potholes and for the population already here, it is a busy and full town.

Kindest regards,