Second time lucky for Catsfield housing plans?

A developer's second bid to build homes on a village field seems to be more successful and could be approved on Thursday (November 17).
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Nov 2016, 07:27 BST
Updated 16th Nov 2016, 16:24 BST

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Bexhill Town Hall SUS-160623-112311001Bexhill Town Hall SUS-160623-112311001
Bexhill Town Hall SUS-160623-112311001

Rother District Council planning officers recommend granting permission for nine homes in Catsfield.

The planning committee turned down an application to build 12 properties on the Skinner’s Lane site in March.

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Catsfield Parish Council and 10 neighbours oppose the plan citing fears over drainage, over-development of the field, flooding and the impact on the environment.

Planners suggest granting the proposal, as long as issues with foul sewerage and highways are sorted, as there is a need for housing.

“The planning circumstances are now that Rother does not have a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites and development boundaries cannot be considered up-to-date,” the report says.

“The core strategy identifies that the new housing requirement for Catsfied is 47 units.

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“To accommodate this number of properties will mean that greenfield land at the edge of the village will need to be used.”

The applicants plan to provide drainage for surface water through permeable paving which was deemed satisfactory by East Sussex County Council.

The field is deemed of ‘low importance’ to nature conservation, according to a survey, and is not part of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“Overall, and in comparison with other sites, it has been concluded the site is well related to the existing pattern of village development and while this site alone would not meet the full housing allocation for Catsfield, it makes a positive contribution,” the report says.

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The planning committee will discuss the proposal at the meeting at 9.30am.

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Related topics:East Sussex County CouncilTwitter