An amended planning application has recently been submitted by RX Architects, working on behalf of Martello Developments Ltd, to develop the Grist Mill site on Winchelsea Road. The application to redevelop the plot overlooking the River Brede would see the demolition of the shell of the old warehouse building and replaced with four 2 bedroom flats over two floors.
A previous planning application for the site for a commercial unit on the ground floor and accommodation on the first floor was approved by Rother District Council in 2019. The latest application will see the commercial unit replaced by two ground floor flats, but the building will also be slightly taller than the previous application.
A number of local residents submitted their objections to the scheme, the majority on the grounds that the proposed new building will be too tall. One objector said, “Winchelsea Road is a main entrance/exit route into Rye, and this building obscures the impressive view of Rye across the river, with the fisherman's huts, ancient buildings, and the historic hilltop view of the town.”
Still "out of keeping"?
In December 2020, Rye Town Council also objected to the plans when the proposed building was to be 9.1m in height saying, "Overdevelopment (ridge height exceeds consent RR/2019/1779/P); loss of commercial space; out of keeping."
Since then, and following these local objections, the height of the proposed building has been lowered by 300mm to around 8.8m in height (for comparison the current warehouse structure is 6.1m and the application that was approved in 2019 was to be 8.3m in height). Rye Town Council have yet to comment on RX’s latest revised plan.
The new planning application also includes some positive sustainable transport elements in that it will provide electric vehicle charging points for each flat as well as secure covered cycle storage for the residents.
You can view the plans, and make a comment, on Rother’s planning portal here.
