“Outstanding matters” are delaying a decision on major development projects for Winchelsea Road in Rye — including the Aldi supermarket and car park.
As a result, it’s unclear when the decisions will be made. While the rulings will reportedly be decided at Rother District Council (RDC) planning officer level, there’s a strong chance that a development of this size will be tabled at the council’s planning committee.
That committee next meets on Thursday, 4 September at Bexhill Town Hall, with the agenda due to be published next week. The proposals were officially submitted over a year ago.
The main element of the three part project, an £18m Aldi supermarket, has managed to overcome several environmental and road access-related obstacles, though problems remain. For instance, there has been ongoing discussion about the retail impact of Aldi and associated town centre planning policy issues. A debate has arisen over whether the German company should subsidise the 313 bus service between Rye Harbour and Rye to the tune of £49,950. Also, the lead local flood authority (ESCC) has demanded very strict conditions for flood risk management on the development site.
The Environment Agency has assessed the applicants’ Flood Risk Assessment addendum and says it has “no objection to the above proposal” — which makes planning approval more likely. A deal on an Aldi subsidy for the Rye to Rye Harbour bus service could be close and it now appears that two bus stops close to the Aldi site in Rye would be upgraded
Meanwhile, a part three / part four-storey 43-unit McCarthy Stone apartment block for retirees also proposed for the location is being actively opposed by Rye Town Council, which has publicly asserted: “Rye needs cheaper accommodation for younger local people — rather than more expensive accommodation aimed at retired people generally”.
McCarthy Stone’s financial viability assessment stated that it could not viably provide any affordable housing, but this was robustly challenged in a report by RDC’s consultant, Altair. The High Weald AONB unit has also opposed the retirement building on grounds of its size.
Tunbridge Wells based developer Decimus plans to build 16 homes on the site.
A year ago, an internal consultation document appeared which contained comments from “Conservation & Design” — apparently aimed at giving early specialist advice to RDC’s planning division. While there was a warning to third parties not to take the comments out of context, the advice regarding Aldi’s application was that “a contemporary designed retail unit using materials that reflect the colour palette of the surrounding local vernacular would preserve the character and setting of Rye conservation area, and as such would accord with policies EN2 and RY1 of the Rother Core Strategy, policy DHG9 of the development and site allocation plan and policy E3 of the Rye Neighbourhood Plan”.
A number of complex issues subsequently emerged that needed addressing and which have delayed all three planning decisions — which still hang in the balance.
However, if Rye’s second supermarket is approved, it will likely take two years to build and employ 35 construction workers. Aldi will offer 50 full-time equivalent jobs in the store, which will also create 28 indirect jobs. The supermarket could add £2.3m in gross value added (GVA) per year and a further £2.4m as a result of indirect employment.
As of 1 August, out of 318 public comments lodged on RDC’s website, 92% express support for Aldi’s planning application.
Rye’s only large supermarket, Jempson’s, has vigorously opposed the German giant’s bid to establish a presence in the town.
