Planning is frequently a contentious issue, and Richard Wilson, who manages Rother District Council's Development Strategy and Planning, will be discussing how the town council can contribute to the planning process this coming Monday, February 27, at the Planning Committee's meeting in the Town Hall from 6:30pm.
The meeting (like the Town Meeting next Wednesday March 1 at Tilling Green Community Centre in Mason Road from 6:30pm) is open to the public, and they can speak. Rother's planning meetings have only recently allowed public speakers on certain, but not necessarily all, controversial proposals.
Concern has been expressed that planning applications to Rother do not get discussed if "they tick all the boxes", as challenges to planning decisions can be costly and time consuming and Rother, like many councils, has had to cut staff.
However, the Town Council was concerned that Rother seemed to ignore its concerns over additional housing in Deadmans Lane, from Rye Hill to Love Lane, which many see as being very dangerous because it is poorly lit and is mainly without a pavement for pedestrians.
On the other hand Rother has worked closely with the town on the drafting of Rye's Neighbourhood Plan.
Plans for housing on the Lower School site behind the railway station will be contentious because of the additional traffic, possible flooding problems, and the site entrance being right by the level crossing in Ferry Road, and this may become an issue.
A more immediate issue though may be the proposed indoor tennis courts along Military Road.
Photo: Rye News library
