Decision deferred
Rother councillors have put off a decision on a major housing development in Peasmarsh to secure changes from the developer.
On Thursday 28 May Rother District Council’s planning committee considered proposals to build 70 homes on land to the south of Main Street. The committee deferred the application, asking the applicant — Kitewood Estates Limited — to consider amending the design and density of the proposed houses, while also seeking more information about sewerage infrastructure.
The committee noted the High Weald Unit had objected to the “layout and design” of the proposed development. The advisory body said these elements represented a “wholly unacceptable response” to the High Weald Housing Design Guide.” Officers identified how the scheme would result in “limited harm” to the High Weald National Landscape but said this would be “highly localised” and outweighed by the scheme’s benefits.
Officers warned the committee that a refusal was unlikely to be upheld at appeal.
Town hall meeting
Rye Town Council meets this Monday 8 June at 6.30pm. The agenda includes the council’s investment strategy, the station toilets, and the potential purchase of new robes for the councillors. The planning committee follows with an update on Rye Neighbourhood Plan and discussion on the South Brooks Solar Farm proposed in Camber, Lydd and the Romney Marsh.
The agenda is published here. The meeting is open to the public at Rye Town Hall.
Publicly owned trains
Southern Trains through Rye are now under public ownership. On Sunday 31 May, the company, which is part of Britain’s biggest rail operator Govia Thameslink Railway, transferred to be part of Great British Railways.
Recruiting more drivers, safer and cleaner toilets, and better customer communications are promised.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said, “As we set up Great British Railways, we’re putting passengers first, fixing what’s broken, and delivering a railway people can rely on – one that rebuilds trust, regenerates communities and delivers the high standards passengers expect and deserve to reduce delays.”
Congratulations Haiden
Haiden Debley-Turner has been fundraising for the RNLI by taking part in the charity’s Mayday Mile challenge. The sixteen year smashed his target raising almost £400 wheeling a mile a day for the 31 days in May.
You can still donate to Haiden’s challenge.
A lot of waste
The food waste collection service began in Rye at the start of April and already it’s collected a huge amount of leftovers.
Rother District Council thanked residents for joining the new service. In April alone, 179.14 tonnes of food waste was collected, equivalent to approximately 30 elephants, 15 buses or 128 cars.
Image Credits: Tristan Bruce , Kitewood Estates Limited , Ian Taylor CC , Chris Lawson , KT Bruce , James Stewart .