Rep made against: Policy CVO3 - Rear of Old London Road
The nomenclature of this region is incorrect and should refer to Speckled Wood: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speckled_Wood,_Hastings Speckled Wood is a name that has been used for at least five years and is on public landmarks and been used in the press as reference to this nomenclature.

There is no access to this Site.

There has been tipping on this area for some 30 years and this has ranged from household to general waste. It is known that substances used 30 years ago now thought of hazardous and are buried in this area.

This area is covered with highly invasive plants Japanese knotweed and Giant Hogweed. Japanese Knotweed is known to damage paths, drives, walls and even foundations. Both are subject to the same legal regulations The Wildlife and Countryside Act (as amended) 1981, The Environmental Protection Act 1990, The Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991. See 2012 Report: http://www.friendsofspeckledwood.org.uk/documents/management%20plan%202012/2012-10-04%20-%20Japanese%20knot%20Survey%20Oct%202012%20finished.pdf

There have been 49 years of Planning on this Historic Woodland of which none has come to fruition due to the unsuitability of the land. Lessons have NOT been learned. See Hastings Borough Council Planning Site : http://publicaccess.hastings.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do;jsessionid=F8D72820896882CD40E44D49361B13E7?action=firstPage

There is extensive indigenous Species of Flora and fauna on the site some which are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (as amended)1981 and although catalogued online have not been registered with the Sussex Bio Centre due to time restraints

http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/nostalgia/grass-track-has-replaced-a-street-where-poorest-folk-once-lived-1-5256520

There has been a huge public objection to this site being developed in 2012, 1231 respondents ask for this area not to be built on. In 2013, 464 additional objections came in by way of a Planning Application, every objection which was received stating no to housing in this area. I strongly believe that these objections should be made available to the Inspector during this hearing. In a 2014 Consultation in excess of 1218 responses were obtained requesting this area is removed from the DMP. These responses have resulted in some of the area being reclassified but not all. This ignored the public wishes to save the whole Woodland Ghyll and is not democratic under the Local-ism Act. The Friends of Speckled Wood recently attended Priory Meadow Shopping Centre during the Consultation. Out of 499 people they saw who objected and signed had previously never heard of the Development Management Plan. There has only been one Public Notice and clearly the general Public is not aware of the Development Management Plan.

Attachments for Evidence purposes
1.) CV01-CV03-CV04 JAPANESE KNOTWEEDJAPANESE KNOTWEED INFO 8.4.14 (3).pdf