Option 2: Not having a development boundary

Support

Representation ID: 2379

Received: 09/03/2012

With reference to site A27 Robsack A. This site must be protected from development because of the delicate ecological issues that are containd in this small meadow which is surrounded by ancient woodland.

Murray Davidson commented on this site several years ago stating is should never be built on.

Object

Representation ID: 2524

Received: 25/04/2012

Not a very good idea when ecology comes very low on the list of priorities when determining planning applications. Ecology studies, which are often inaccurate or performed at the wrong time of the year, are accepted without question. Having a defined boundary for development should in theory protect what little green space this town has left. Sites that have ecology and wildlife in abundance are destroyed by potential developers so that the sites appear to have no ecological worth. What is to stop an applicant from clearing the site before submitting a planning appliation?

Support

Representation ID: 3327

Received: 26/04/2012

The option of no boundary is preferred. A development boundary should not be necessary provided local, national and international policies for the protection and enhancement of the natural environment are properly applied. This should include recognition of the important local sites within wider ecological networks as well as local character and distinctiveness.

There could be environmental advantages to not designating a development boundary as this can constrain opportunities to consider sites which have some capacity for development and are outside the development boundary This could potentially ease the pressure away from more sensitive sites within the built up area.

The National Landscape Character Assessment (NE) and the East Sussex County Landscape Assessment, as well as the landscape capacity assessment which has been carried out to inform the SHLAA for potential site allocations around the outskirts of Hastings, are available as tools to help inform decision making. Site based landscape and visual assessments should be undertaken to reduce the risk of inappropriate development occurring in the countryside.

From a historic environment perspective, consideration should be given to each individual site on its merits by consulting the Historic Environment Record and undertaking appropriate assessment on a site by site basis.

Support

Representation ID: 3507

Received: 25/04/2012

Since Hastings is predominantly a built-up urban area there are limited areas of land beyond the previous Local Plan Proposals Map boundary. At the same time most green spaces within the Borough were within the development boundary though were protected through other policies.

Hastings does not need to define other settlement boundaries and overall it is felt that the new Local Plan has no overriding need for a development boundary. Areas that are for example, within the AONB would be subject to policy controls and development constraint, urban green spaces would be likewise managed by appropriate policies.