The article in Rye News last November titled Aldi supermarket plan confirmed really hit a nerve, to date it has been one of the most viewed Rye News articles for some time and generated a great deal of comment and debate. It’s obviously an issue which. is very important to so many of us for varying reasons but since then it all seems to have gone quiet.
But no, Cavendish Consulting on behalf of Decimus, the Tunbridge Wells based developer of the Winchelsea Road Aldi / McCarthy & Stone proposed site, has organised an in-person public consultation / exhibition event on Thursday, March 7. All the details are in this flyer and in the image below, but the open meeting is from 3pm - 7pm at the River Haven Hotel in Rye (close to the entrance to the proposed development} and is your opportunity to put your views forward, ask questions and gather information.
This is an important meeting and is proof of community engagement which local planning authorities like to see as evidence when considering larger planning applications so a show of strength will not be wasted.
Prior to the meeting you may want to consider the pros and cons of this proposed development, how could it impact on Rye, on you and on our local economy.
It’s a large, prominent site on one of the main arterial roads into town. The existing site access is already busy with lorries and traffic but if a supermarket and housing were developed, would the traffic onto Winchelsea Road increase as a result or would it match what we have become used to already? Would any development be affected by the risk of potential flooding? Would a supermarket provide much needed jobs for our local economy or would another large supermarket in central Rye force the closure of some local businesses?
Have we got the right infrastructure and utilities in place to cope with additional housing and vehicle movements and what environmental and ecological effect might we expect to see locally?
Do we need the proposed retirement housing or is there a more pressing need for affordable housing? Would the development attract locals or outsiders? How long would it take to develop the site and what would be the overall effect on neighbouring properties in terms of noise and light pollution? Would local property values be affected detrimentally or positively?
Many of these questions have been raised recently regarding the application to develop the Ferry Road former school site and no doubt there are many more questions you may be seeking answers to and hopefully the consultation will provide some of the answers but we need to show our support by taking part in this very important public consultation if we are to help to shape the future of Rye in a way which suits our town and its needs.
Change is inevitable but this is our opportunity to decide what level of change is necessary and realistic, and if the proposed use of this site is the most logical and sensible use or do we think otherwise?
Whatever your feelings please make a note in your diaries to come along on March 7, I’m sure it will be a full house and with plenty to discuss but if you cant make it you can join the virtual public exhibition by visiting winchelsearoad.co.uk by Sunday 17 March. At the time of writing this site was not yet live.
Let Rye News know what you think, send your thoughts and comments to info@ryenews.org.uk.
