Comment

Representation ID: 3356

Received: 26/04/2012

The site currently has two access points, one from The Ridge and the other from St Helens Down. It may therefore be appropriate to maintain this arrangement and split the development into two separate closes. The alternative would be to access the entire site from St Helens Down as we would not wish to see intensified use of an access onto The Ridge. This option may necessitate junction improvements at the junction of The Ridge & St Helens Wood. Being in a Zone 4 area within the ESCC parking standards, adequate provision must be made on site for vehicle as well as cycle parking. The area is served by a number of bus routes which link the site to Town Centre and Conquest Hospital.

The overriding issue with this development is capacity on The Ridge. The road is at or over capacity especially at peak times. Any application would need to produce robust evidence that any additional traffic impact can be mitigated. Any application if acceptable, would also be required to contribute towards improvements to the capacity on The Ridge including the complementary measures associated with the construction of the Bexhill Hastings Link Road.

A comprehensive and integrated design approach should be taken if this and adjacent sites D40 and D41, both of which already have outline planning permission, come forward.