Sidley scheme parking fears

The redevelopment would replace two small shops with two 100 sq. metre units with seven one-bedroomed flats, six two-bedroomed flats and a three-bedroomed maisonette,

Officers had recommended granting full planning permission. Last Thursday's Rother planning committee meeting voted instead for a site visit before considering the scheme.

The proposal is a revision of a scheme approved in 2004 for a shop and six two-bedroomed flats and three maisonettes.

The county highways authority is calling for the application to be refused because it lacks off-street parking.

Southern Water warns that there is currently "inadequate capacity in the local network to provide foul sewage disposal."

The applicants argue that as no off-street parking was required for the previously approved scheme and the site is in a "sustainable location" and backed by an "under-used public car park" the Highways Authority's objection is "very difficult to understand."

However, they "may consider" making a maximum ,5000 contribution towards the current traffic improvement works in Sidley.

The applicants' structural engineers will liaise with Southern Water to ensure a satisfactory design solution to deal with the sewage issue.

Sidley member Cllr Jim Carroll asked if goods deliveries to the shops would be from the rear.

Planning officer Richard Scott said: "It would be from the front. There is no access from the car park at the rear."