Rye Town Council’s planning and townscape committee met on Tuesday, May 28 to review the latest status of the neighbourhood plan and several planning applications.
The most contentious discussion revolved around the slightly revised application for retirement accommodation at the Jempson’s warehouse site on Winchelsea Road.
Councillors reiterated their position that additional retirement-style accommodation was not needed in Rye, which they felt was largely designed for use by people not currently living in the town.
Cllrs Hughes and Boyd pointed out that several properties in Strand Court have remained vacant for some time and Cllr Rogers reasserted the urgent need for affordable / social accommodation for younger, local, Rye residents. An increase in the older population was also expected to result in overload on the already stretched medical and social support services.
More generally, Cllr Fiddimore reiterated the importance of central planners taking into account local knowledge when considering planning applications. Cllr Boyd asserted that developers do not want anything to do with affordable housing, but Rother planners must ensure that local demand for this type of accommodation is met as Rye develops. Councillors agreed that the current focus on profitability over need must be re-examined.
Cllr Rogers also pointed out the system of planning comments was also flawed. While he noted that RDC planners will be considering all planning applications individually, 154 comments were received for the overall development of the Winchelsea Road site of which 134 were “pro forma” based, and 50% came from outside Rye. The majority of these were largely in support of the Aldi development, but not necessarily the whole site plan.
Infrastructure issues, such as the lack of sewerage capacity, were also discussed in the context of the wider plans to develop multiple sites in Rye. It was noted by Colonel Kimber that planning permission had recently been denied in a location in Buckinghamshire for just this reason. It was agreed that critical issues such as these must be addressed by planners as they review current and future planning applications.
Councillors voted unanimously not to support the revised application, and to write a letter to Rother District Council pointing out all the issues involved. Cllr Fiddimore also suggested potential escalation to central government to ensure social housing needs were taken into account.
Colonel Kimber updated the committee on some procedural issues that need to be resolved to allow the completion of the updated neighbourhood plan. Discussions continue with Rother District Council, but the expectation is that the process should now be completed by September. On general development issues, he also advised that the plans for a community land trust (CLT) in Rye as an alternative to some of the current developer led proposals, were progressing.
In other planning business, the following recommendations were made:
RR/2025/590/P 46 North Salts, Rye
Proposed single storey rear extension to form enlarged kitchen / dining area. Second floor rear extension to form additional bedroom and shower room.
Application supported
RR/2025/635/P 77 Udimore Road, Rye
Construction of single storey rear extension.
Application not supported – considered overdevelopment
RR/2025/639/P 21 Wish Street, Rye
Rear extension, minor internal and external alterations..
Application supported
Image Credits: Stuart Harland .