Rother Local Plan 2025-2042 Regulation 19 (pre-submission) version September 2026

We propose adding the following requirement to Policy HER1:

"Where development necessitates archaeological investigation or recording, appropriate and proportionate arrangements shall be secured for the selection, deposition, long-term conservation, documentation and public accessibility of resulting archaeological archives, including physical and digital material. These arrangements should be agreed at an early stage with the relevant archaeological advisers and an appropriate receiving museum or repository."

The supporting text should recognise the contribution of museums and archaeological repositories to conservation, research, education, public access and understanding of place, and the need for suitable long-term capacity.

It should also encourage coordinated provision with East Sussex County Council and relevant museum and archaeological partners, recognising that repository requirements can extend beyond district boundaries and may need to adapt to future local government arrangements.

These modifications would strengthen the effectiveness of HER1 in delivering the archaeological archiving principles established by paragraph 218 of the December 2024 NPPF and reinforced by Policy HE10 of the August 2026 NPPF.

Bexhill Museum supports Policy HER1 but considers it insufficiently effective because it does not clearly address the long-term stewardship of archaeological archives generated through development. Archaeological investigation produces physical and digital records requiring appropriate deposition, conservation, research access and public interpretation. Museums and archaeological repositories are essential to securing these public benefits.

The December 2024 National Planning Policy Framework already recognises archaeological archiving and public accessibility; the August 2026 Framework strengthens these expectations for development management.

We seek an amendment to HER1 requiring proportionate arrangements for archive deposition and long-term care, agreed with suitable repositories at an early stage. This should be supported by coordinated provision involving RDC, East Sussex County Council and archaeological and museum partners.

The objective is a sustainable system for Rother's archaeological heritage, not preferential provision for Bexhill Museum.

We propose adding the following clarification to the supporting text of Policy INF1:

"Where development generates archaeological archives requiring long-term deposition and stewardship, the necessary provision for appropriate repositories, specialist conservation, documentation and public access should be identified and secured, where justified, through proportionate development-related arrangements consistent with national planning policy and the applicable legal tests."

We also request that the Infrastructure Delivery Plan recognise archaeological archive provision as a potential infrastructure requirement and identify the need for a collaborative assessment of:

a) Existing and anticipated archaeological archive deposition requirements;

b) Suitable repository capacity, including physical and digital facilities;

c) Delivery, management and long-term funding responsibilities;

d) Opportunities for shared provision at district and county level.

This work should involve East Sussex County Council, Rother District Council, museums, archaeological bodies and relevant national partners.

We particularly encourage a museum-led approach to collections stewardship and public access within coordinated county-wide arrangements, capable of adapting to future unitary authority structures.

Bexhill Museum would welcome recognition as a potential delivery partner, alongside other qualified institutions. The objective is sustainable infrastructure for archaeological heritage, rather than an allocation of resources to any individual museum.

Bexhill Museum supports Policy INF1 but considers that its effectiveness would be strengthened by recognising the infrastructure required for the long-term stewardship of archaeological archives generated through development.

Archaeological investigation creates enduring needs for physical and digital storage, conservation, documentation, research and public access. These may require coordinated provision beyond individual development sites or district boundaries.

We propose that INF1's supporting text recognise archaeological archive provision as a potential development-related infrastructure requirement, subject to the applicable planning obligations tests.

The Infrastructure Delivery Plan should identify the need to assess repository capacity, future deposition requirements and delivery responsibilities in partnership with East Sussex County Council, museums and archaeological organisations.

A coordinated museum-led stewardship model, operating within county-wide professional arrangements and adaptable to future local government structures, could provide a sustainable solution. Bexhill Museum wishes to contribute to developing that approach.