Future face of Bexhill at stake

Officers have recommended councillors grant full planning permission for a supermarket and flats on the site of the Ken Hood car showroom in Cooden Sea Road, Little Common.

Traders, fearing Tesco to be behind the scheme, have protested against the application saying it will force village shops out of business.

Over 400 letters of objection have been received citing 'predatory pricing tactics', additional traffic and damage to the character of the area as reasons for refusal.

Chief planning officer Frank Rallings will ask members to accept the proposal as the 418 square metre store and 10 flats complies with the policy of the Rother District Local Plan.

He said: "There have been a large number of letters from the general public, the majority of which are of 'standard' form which, amongst other points, states that planning policy statement number six requires the applicant to provide evidence of need. To clarify the position I must advise this is not the case."

Mr Rallings also says the applicant has made the "best provision for parking / delivering that can be expected."

He said: "I am equally aware that there is no control over delivery vehicles to any other shop premises in the locality."

r Still in Little Common, Mr Rallings has recommended members refuse plans for 60 care apartments in place of five properties with large gardens in Barnhorn Road.

The scheme has been met with consternation by residents who have submitted 87 letters of objection, saying the development is out of character, would overlook homes and involves destroying perfectly usable houses.

It echoes similar proposals in Chantry Avenue and Pebsham Lane.

In his report to members, Mr Rallings says: "I find that the application fails to demonstrate that the matters of drainage, protected species and parking provision have been adequately addressed."

He adds the site does not make provision for enough affordable housing under Rother guidelines.

r East Sussex County Council's application to transfer the use of the former Reprotech waste treatment plant, in Pebsham, to a waste and recycables transfer station has been questioned by planners.

Officers will advise committee members to object to any such plan. The scheme would see the building used as a depot and storage area with parking for 40 refuse trucks and seven day working on site.

The final decision rests at county level, with Rother as consultees.

Members will be told: "The information so far received gives insufficient assurances that there will be no adverse effect on the area and no worsening of the situation in terms of noise, air quality and traffic generation, particularly having regard to the amenities of local residents and the proximity of the facility to the proposed Pebsham Countryside Park."

r The creation of a new worship centre to support the amalgamation of the Bexhill's two United Reformed churches, St George's and St John's, could still hang in the balance.

Planners will be asked by officers to approve the building of a centre adjoining St George's Church in Cantelupe Road. However, the application to knock down the existing church (pictured above) and replace it with 10 flats has been earmarked for refusal.

Officers say the plans would represent over- development and they do not support the removal of the existing building.

They suggest the entire scheme "would have an overbearing impact on the adjoining properties in both Lionel Road and Cantelupe Road."

It remains to be seen how a refusal would impact on the building of the new church. Plans are afoot to knock down St John's Church and Victoria Hall, in Town Hall Square, and replace them with flats, as worshippers join the new community church.

r The building of a tennis centre at Bexhill High School remains on the agenda. As reported in last week's Observer, East Sussex County Council is applying to have planning consent for a tennis and sports centre renewed.

High School head Mike Conn said the plan will be examined as part of the school's 33 million rebuild.

Rother is being consulted by county, and officers will recommend members have no objections as playing fields will remain on the site and the increase in traffic levels is viewed as acceptable.