Aldi only has two minor hurdles to clear in order to gain National Highways' (NH) approval of its road access plan for a supermarket off Winchelsea Road in Rye. The agency has lodged several objections to the site's access and signage arrangements since the middle of last year.
The store is part of a development for the former Jempson's Yard, which also includes homes and retirement housing.
In a letter to Rother District Council on May 14, NH said a stage 1 road safety audit needs to be carried out. Although a departure application has been approved, a walking, cycling and horse-riding (WCHAR) review must be shared with NH for approval.
A third NH demand — that a drawing be submitted showing the proposed access road junction and its approved elements — has already been met.
NH has now recommended that Aldi's planning application should not be approved until August 13 to give the company time to meet the above-mentioned requirements.
The latest development in a tortured planning process is encouraging news for Aldi. For several months its transport consultants have fought to gain approval from NH for new road access arrangements.
If National Highways offers no objection to the revised plans, the way could be clear for Rother District Council to approve Aldi's planning application. The next RDC planning committee meeting after August 13 is on Thursday, September 4.
