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

Support

Representation ID: 30942

Received: 23/03/2026

Respondent: BL Trading

Agent: DHA Planning

We strongly support Objective 4 and it is encouraging that the Council specifically acknowledge the housing situation as a crisis. We suggest some minor modifications to SO4 to clarify that the plan is positively prepared and fully aligned with the provisions of the NPPF to make it clear that the plan as a minimum, seeks to meet the area’s objectively assessed needs: "Respond to the housing crisis and help facilitate the delivery of housing to meet the needs of different groups in the community in full […]". We are supportive of Spatial Objective 7 which seeks to focus growth in sustainable locations, or places that can be made sustainable through supporting infrastructure and community facilities.

Object

Representation ID: 30944

Received: 23/03/2026

Respondent: BL Trading

Agent: DHA Planning

The total housing figure for the Plan period is recognised to be a considerable increase in potential housing supply when compared to the adopted Core Strategy figure, which is welcomed. However, this is just 54% of the standard method figure. All four neighbouring authorities are struggling to meet even half of their housing requirement, therefore, it is vital that RDC explores whether it can accommodate the unmet need of neighbouring authorities and in particular Hastings, to which Rother shares its housing and functional economic market area, in addition to meeting its own needs. The constraints within the district are fully acknowledged, however they are not unique to Rother. Given the scale of housing need and limited capacity of the non-National Landscape areas to accommodate development needs, it is considered likely that exceptional circumstances exist to justify major development proposals within the National Landscape. Therefore Policy CT3 is strongly supported.

Support

Representation ID: 30945

Received: 23/03/2026

Respondent: BL Trading

Agent: DHA Planning

We welcome the recognition that Catsfield is a suitable location for development, being relatively well-contained within the High Weald National Landscape and having a good range of services including a village hall, primary school and convenience store. It is agreed that development here could facilitate better public transport accessibility and active travel accessibility through the settlement to the primary school.

Support

Representation ID: 30946

Received: 23/03/2026

Respondent: BL Trading

Agent: DHA Planning

We strongly support the proposed allocation of ‘Land South of Church Road, Catsfield’ for approximately 35 dwellings, as set out under Policy CT3 . Since refusal of the outline application, a fresh landscape-led approach has been adopted. The emerging work has focused on directing development to the least constrained parts of the site, respecting the setting of the village and the adjacent High Weald National Landscape, retaining a substantial undeveloped area associated with The Brooks, and responding directly to the matters now reflected in draft Policy CT3. The revised design has also been developed to address all of the concerns set out within the previous refusal. The revised scheme is being submitted for pre-application advice, with a view to submitting a planning application later in 2026. The indicative plans demonstrate 36 dwellings could be achieved and the policy should be updated accordingly.