Robsack Wood: saved from the last Local Plan, thanks to the Planning Inspector and Paddy Stephenson

Draft Local Plan for public scrutiny on environment and housing policy

Standing up 4 Nature (SU4N, Hastings & Rother) had a successful meeting recently. In early December there’s to be a ‘Community Assembly’ followup event to contribute to Hastings Borough Council’s Draft Local Plan regarding matters such as empty houses and environmental protection. Bernard McGinley reports.

As hoped, there’s to be a follow-up event by SU4N, a Community Assembly on ‘How can Hastings housing policy protect the environment?’. The aim is to provide creative thinking and worthwhile ideas for the new Hastings Local Plan, which includes Council policies on building development and land use for the next 20 years. Permitted Development Right (PDR) could be a related consideration.

Draft Local Plan 2019 – 39 

The council is updating its Local Plan following changes to the National Planning Policy Framework. The new Local Plan will cover 2019 to 2039. Before it can be adopted it will need to be subject to a public independent examination by the Planning Inspectorate. (Last time, the examination was held at Horntye.)

The preparation of a new Local Plan provides an opportunity to refresh the existing statutory development plan to deliver on council objectives and community priorities.

Council language includes deterministic expressions such as ‘the form development in Hastings will need to take’. SU4N cites ‘development control in an age of climate and ecological emergency’. It’s a rich debate.

Policies, resources and priorities

Housing need and protection

The Community Assembly’s focus will be on refurbishment and the use of empty homes, as well as how key green spaces and wildlife corridors need protection. Outcomes will be sent to Councillors and the Planning Department.

The Assembly is a free event, and refreshments will be provided.

The date is Sunday 1 December, from 2pm till 5.

The venue is the Central Hall, Station Rd Hastings TN34 1NG (near Caffè Nero).

As before, SU4N are contactable here, or through Hastings Voluntary Action (HVA).

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