Last chance to comment on Wealden Local Plan

Residents have a few days left to offer opinions on the Local Plan for Wealden District Council – a document that is used to assess planning applications.
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Wealden District Council’s new Local Plan is open for comments until the January 18. This plan provides policies to manage the growth in the district and guide development for the next 15-20 years.

The Local Plan is what the council turns to when it comes to making decisions around planning applications.

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The council wants to hear from residents about what is important to them.

Waller's Haven on Pevensey LevelsWaller's Haven on Pevensey Levels
Waller's Haven on Pevensey Levels

This comes after a number of residents raised concerns around Wealden being over developed and the strain this puts on the area such as congestion, the environment and pressure on services such as GPs and schools.

Stacey Robins, the head of planning and environmental services, said all major infrastructure projects require an Environment Impact Assessment to determine if a scheme would have new and significant effects on the environment.

She said that ‘very careful thought it given to how each scheme’ will impact the environment.

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Some residents were particularly worried about the future of Pevensey Levels, a national nature reserve.

Ms Robins said, “With regard to the Pevensey Levels, we are all too aware of the importance nearby new development can have on this site, which receives international protection.

“When considering each application, both the impact of the current application and the collective impact of schemes that may have already been approved or established, will be taken into account.”

Ms Robins said the council also ‘seeks expert advice’ from Natural England – a government body responsible for overseeing protected habitats.

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She said, “As the planning authority, we not only have to consider the potential environmental impacts, but also the considerable shortfall in housing land supply and how we meet our housing needs.

“The council is keen to promote sustainability, ease of access to services and to reduce the carbon footprint of development, so most new development is likely to be seen in or nearby to already established towns.

“We are currently developing our new Wealden Local Plan.

“This will be the key document which we will use to assess planning applications over the next 15-20 years. If you would like to have your say in the plan, please take part in our consultation which will be open until midnight on January 18.”