Approval for 66 new Northiam homes

The application was granted by councillors at a planning committee meeting yesterday

Rother District councillors granted full planning permission for the development on Station Road.

Nearly 50 objections from residents, ramblers and parish councillors were made against the application from Persimmon Homes in February for the major development including garages, roads, pavements and open spaces.

Many voiced their concerns over the village infrastructure’s ability to cope with more families.

Residents also said the site is outside the development boundary.

“The project is too large for the community, there are hardly any local jobs, the dentist is full for NHS patients, our Post Office has closed and we only have a small counter service in Jempsons,” one objector Mrs Francey wrote.

Northiam Parish Council wrote a detailed objection to the proposal pointing to several issues including the full cemetery and increased traffic.

Other issues raised were the devaluation to exisiting properties on Station Road, lack of job opportunities and the environmental impact.

But despite the objections, councillors agreed with case officer John McSweeney’s recommendation of approval subject to conditions including the provision of affordable housing, East Sussex County Council paying £17,095 towards library services and the agreement of RDC’s legal fees.

The report said, although the site is outside the development boundary, the core strategy for the village requires 72 additional homes.

In regards to the site being an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the report says the work may have some local effect but overall it would have no effect on the character of the landscape.

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