Updated proposals for the development of the former Thomas Peacocke lower school site on Ferry Road have been put forward to planning by the developer, Plutus (Rye) Ltd, after the planning permission granted in 2020 expired.
Previous plans
The site has lain empty for many years with plans first proposed in 2016, initially for 77 new homes (48 houses and 29 apartments) and 90 parking places. After discussion on flood risk, the high density of the site, issues around drainage and prevention of water pollution, and the limitations of the access, revised plans were submitted in 2017 for 72 homes.
Planning was finally approved by Rother District Council (RDC) in 2020 with the reduced provision of 63 dwellings (all non-affordable) and the demolition of the Queen Adelaide pub to allow better access away from the railway crossing and exit for the fire station. Concerns were raised by the community about the impact of the raising of the level of the land by one metre, stipulated by RDC to mitigate flood risk, which was feared would increase traffic from trucks bringing the infill soil to the site. In addition, RDC supported local calls for maintaining a strip of vegetation along the boundary with the railway line, to preserve the habitat for birds, including turtle doves, and other wildlife. As a condition, Rother said the plans needed a "strengthening of the buffer planting at the railway boundary to provide improved habitat for nesting birds" as well as '"to provide suitable habitat for nesting birds, to enhance the appearance of the development and to ensure that the proposed development does not prejudice the landscape setting and enhances the local landscape." The RDC planning permission from 2020 can be viewed here.
Most recent plans
The latest plans, circulated via a colour leaflet to local people in December 2023, have proposed a mix of homes (all non-affordable): 15 custom built houses, 31 open sale houses and flats, and 42 residential care home flats for the elderly. This is in total an increase from the earlier plans of 63 dwellings to 88, more than the initial number (77) that had raised local concerns about the high density on this site.
Also included in the plans are 77 car parking spaces for the houses and 14 for the care home residents; electric vehicle charging points for every home; and cycle parking for every home. A small area of open space of wildflower grassland is included that will be open to the public and a ”5 metre buffer / wildlife corridor” at the railway boundary. Improvements will be made to the public footpath from Ferry Road to Tillingham Avenue and to the pavement on Ferry Road.
There is a need for more housing in the town, as there is across the country, however issues raised by some residents in the past are likely to remain: the lack of affordable housing in the proposals; the increased number of properties fitted into a small site; the thinning of the area of the trees and shrubs on the railway boundaries with the resulting disturbance to wildlife; and the possible disruption that the raising of the level of the site may cause.
The public can view the plans and make comment on the Plutus (Rye) Ltd website here.
For more information contact 0800 689 5209 or email info@ferryroadrye.co.uk.
