The public are being asked for their views on the draft version of a plan that will help shape development in the district over the next 16 years.
The draft Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 sets out proposed policies and a development strategy which the district council considers appropriate and address the needs of the area.
A 12-week consultation on the draft Plan, which launched this week, will ensure the final version reflects the views of local people and businesses.
Cllr Teresa Killeen, the district council’s portfolio holder for planning, said: “Development in Rother is necessary, providing opportunities and benefit to our local communities. This draft plan, which is based around twin priorities of Green to the Core and Live Well Locally, will help guide development to positively shape Rother’s future.
“It’s important that our district’s plan reflects the views of local people, which is why we are running our consultation for 12 weeks, rather than the required six, and I would encourage as many people as possible to let us know what they think.”
Exhibitions will be held around the district between Tuesday, May 21 and Thursday, July 11, giving residents the opportunity to talk to Rother District Council officers and find out more about the draft plan.
Drop-in events will take place at;
- Tiling Green Community Centre, Rye – Tuesday, May 21, 2pm to 6pm
- Battle Memorial Hall – Wednesday, May 22, 3pm to 7pm
- Pebsham Community Hub, Seabourne Road, Bexhill – Tuesday, May 28, 3pm to 7pm
- Brede Village Hall, Cackle Street – Tuesday, June 4, 2pm to 6pm
- Ticehurst Village Hall, Lower High Street – Thursday, June 6, 3pm to 7pm
- Beulah Baptist Church, Clifford Road, Bexhill – Wednesday, June 12, 3pm to 7pm
- Rye Community Centre, Conduit Hill – Thursday, June 13, 3pm to 7pm
- Battle Memorial Hall, High Street – Wednesday, June 19, 3pm to 7pm
- Westfield Community Hall, Workhouse Lane – Saturday, June 22, 1.30pm to 5.30pm
- St Marks Church Hall, Green Lane, Bexhill – Tuesday, June 25, 2.30pm to 6.30pm
- The Pelham, Holliers Hill, Bexhill – Tuesday, July 2, 3pm to 7pm
- Fairlight Village Hall, The Broadway – Thursday, July 11, 3pm to 7pm
As part of the development of the Local Plan, the district council has invited landowners, agents, developers, and other interested parties to put forward sites for consideration for housing and economic development, as well as sites for Gypsy and Traveller pitches.
This Call for Sites remains open and is being extended to include sites that could contribute to nature recovery and support Rother’s efforts to create and improve natural habitats. Farmers, land managers, communities and conservation groups are invited to put forward possible sites.
Feedback can be given via the Local Plan webpage, where the full draft plan and supporting evidence base documents are available along with details of the exhibitions.
Comments can also be submitted by email at draftlocalplan@rother.gov.uk or by post to The Planning Policy Team, Rother District Council, Town Hall, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN39 3JX.
Hard copies of the draft Local Plan will be available at Bexhill Town Hall and Battle, Bexhill, Hastings, Heathfield, Hollington, Rye and Wadhurst libraries as well as the community libraries in Northiam, Ore and Ticehurst.
The consultation ends on Tuesday, July 23. Ends.
Published: 3rd May 2024
