Here’s a round up of some of the other stories making the news in and around Rye this week.
HGV driver arrested
A man from Rye has been arrested following the death of a pensioner in a collision on the Kent / Sussex border. The incident occurred in the area of the A21 London Road and the A268 Hawkhurst Road in Flimwell between 5:30pm and 5:50pm on Thursday, November 16. A 75-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene
The driver of the HGV involved, a 57-year-old man from Rye, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and released under investigation as enquiries continue. A section of the road was closed overnight to allow for forensic investigations.
Sussex Police are urging anyone who saw what happened or has dashcam footage to email collision.appeal@sussex.police.uk quoting Operation Colchester.
Affordable housing plans approved in Camber
Ten new homes will now be built on the car park, known as the putting green site, on Old Lydd Road (from Hugh Oxburgh Local Democracy reporter). Rother District Council’s planning committee reconsidered the plans on Thursday November 16.
Further discussion will be needed as the council now hopes to make the housing scheme 100% affordable. Previously, six of the ten homes were to be sold on the open market. Of the remaining four, one would be sold at a reduced price to a first-time buyer, with three to be used as affordable rentals. The council now wants a 50/50 mix of affordable housing for rent and shared ownership units.
The scheme had attracted a number of local objections, but none are to do with the mix of affordable housing. The objectors’ concerns are instead around the site’s density, design and loss of parking, particularly given the high levels of demand in summer. These objections were considered as part of the previous planning consent. Concerns have also been raised about the houses becoming holiday lets rather than full time homes.
Once built out, the development is set to be accessed via a new entrance in Marchants Drive.
Controversial £30 parking trial scrapped
This summer’s flat fee for parking in Camber car parks won’t be continuing next year, following a fall in the number of visiting vehicles. The £30 charge was introduced for nine weeks between June and September by Rother District Council to try to find a solution to severe congestion in the village on busy days, which the council says “created a challenge for residents, public transport and emergency response vehicles”.
The charge was condemned by local businesses. Speaking to Rye News earlier in the year, James Hyatt whose family runs many of the shops, bars and restaurants in Camber, hit out at what he called an exorbitant charge. ”We’re currently experiencing the worst summer since we started trading in Camber in 1983. Our takings are down by over 70% on previous years.”
A spokesperson for Rother District Council said: “As planned, the flat daily rate in Central and Old Lydd Road car parks ended at the conclusion of the trial and, following careful consideration of data and feedback, a decision has been made not to reintroduce it next season. This was reported to Cabinet on November 6. We continue to work with partners to identify ways to reduce congestion around Camber during the summer months, and address the issues faced by residents.”
Winchelsea comes to a standstill
Long delays in Winchelsea after a fallen tree blocked the A259 at the bottom of Ferry Hill for much of Monday, November 20. The 40-foot tree came down in the early afternoon, with the road not fully open until 11pm.
Council wants rid of Wittersham windmill
Stocks Mill in Wittersham is one of eight county council owned historic windmills in Kent which the cash strapped local authority wants to “divest” to save money, writes Simon Findlay – Local Democracy Reporter. The mills are currently owned by Kent County Council which hopes parish councils or small charities will take the historic buildings on, and run them independently.
The Stocks Mill is Kent’s tallest post mill and was built in 1781. Along with a small museum, the mill is opened and manned by a team of volunteers on several Sundays during the summer.
In a passionate debate on Wednesday, November 15, the council’s deputy leader Cllr Peter Oakford told the Environment and Transport Cabinet that Kent had an “urgent need to save cash and all areas of spending had to be examined. In ten years’ time we will not be able to afford to keep them and they will fall into disrepair.” However, committee chairman Cllr Sean Holden said it was important the council safeguarded the windmills, telling the meeting the annual cost per building over six years would be just £18,000. “I think we should be looking for savings elsewhere.”
Get in touch
If you see anything happening in and around Rye our email is info@ryenews.org.uk.
Catch up with with breaking Rye News on Instagram & Threads @newsrye and on Facebook follow Rye News.
Image Credits: Sussex Police , Rother DC , RDC , Stagecoach , Ron Strutt CC .
My wife and I went into Rye the morning after Rye bonfire and we were shocked and disgusted by the amount of litter strewn about the streets.
All available litter bins were overflowing with piles of rubbish all over the pavements.
Do these people not have bins at home?
Surely more bins and maybe skips could be provided for this popular event.