The patchwork of coastal paths between Camber and Eastbourne, via Rye, is still being developed by Natural England, but one stretch is currently causing controversy.
Martello Development Corporation of Hastings is developing a stretch of land along Rock Channel. The five houses that are currently under construction are believed to be the start of a larger development as once envisioned by Dunn Architects.
The first phase of five houses is nearing completion. But before they can be occupied the issue of riverside access needs to be agreed between the developers and Rother District Council (RDC).
Ordnance survey maps identify an existing Right of Way between the river bank and the new development. RDC’s decision notice on December 12 2016, which allowed the five houses to be built, states that “the dwellings hereby permitted shall not be occupied until the construction of the riverside walkway on land to the west of the dwellings has been completed in accordance with the approved drawings.” Martello Developments recently submitted an amended proposal to RDC for the riverside walkway. The developers want to keep the path where it currently is, which is over a metre below the base of the flood defences, but Rye Town Council, and others, have objected on the grounds that the riverside walk will flood and would therefore be dangerous. This small stretch is one of the final pieces of a nationwide coastal walk. In its study in 2007, RDC laid out a masterplan for the Rock Channel area that included enhanced walking and cycling provision, saying “pedestrian access through the site should be encouraged by improving the existing Right of Way to provide an attractive and coherent walkway that will provide an effective link between the Strand Quay area and the Salts.” In RDC’s own words “the area appears inhospitable to pedestrians and visitors, the public footpath is poorly signed and the mix of uses here does not encourage public access.” A decision on this revised proposal was expected from RDC by May 24 but at the time of writing it has yet to confirm where the path will be located or how the area is to be made more hospitable. And until there is a decision on the path the houses can’t be occupied. Editor's note: Rye News understands - but without firm confirmation - that sale terms on all five houses have been agreed, with prices believed to be over £1 million each. It is not known whether the proposed occupants are currently from this area or whether (as seems likely) these are going to be used mainly as second homes whose owners would, in that case, be likely to contribute little to the town.
Photos: Kevin McCarthy and Rye New library
