Plans on the horizon for further housing in Hailsham

Wealden District Council has been asked to determine whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required as part of as yet unsubmitted proposals to build 45 homes on land south of Amberstone Road in Hailsham.

The application, submitted on behalf of Heyford Developments Ltd, is light on details of the larger scheme, although it says the proposed site would include open space and have road access via Amberstone Road.

The site would also be designed to accommodate an informal footpath with a link to Ambersey Green and on to the former Amberstone Nursery site, the application says.

The site is close to the Pevensey Levels, which have a protected and designated nature conservation status as a RAMSAR site.

In its application, the developer argues that an EIA – which seeks to assess the consequences of development on the environment – would not be necessary.

A spokesman for the developer said: “The proposed development of up to 45 dwellings is not of a significant scale. 

“The cumulative impact from the housing of this and the adjoining sites in East Hailsham has already been identified and assessed as part of the adopted Core Strategy and/or the expectation that the site forms part of an area that has the potential for future growth. 

“Indeed, the site was located within the ‘development boundary’ of the town in the recent draft Local Plan which was withdrawn earlier this year. This indicates future growth across the site is a possibility.”

For further information see application reference WD/2020/6509/SO on the Wealden District Council planning website.

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