Maple Walk homes - site visit

Chief planning officer Frank Rallings had recommended granting outline permission for development on the Old Harrier Kennels site subject to their being no objection from English Nature.

The scheme has attracted more than 30 letters of objection from neighbours.

At last Thursday's planning committee, members voted to make a site visit before considering the scheme.

The land was once the site of a manor house and is of both archeological and environmental significance.

In his written report, Mr Rallings had made the point that it is within the development boundary defined in the Rother District Local Plan.

He wrote:"As such there is no presumption against the principle of residential development on the site."

At the meeting he said: "We have adopted the Local Plan policy. The principle has been accepted. The decision has to be underpinned by reference to the Local Plan."

Cllr Patrick Douart, who had welcomed the idea of a site visit and had reminded members of the neighbours' objections, was told: "The points you have raised were taken into account at the Local Plan inquiry."