Battle care home proposal to be discussed again

Councillors on Rother District Council’s (RDC) planning committee discussed Cedarwood House’s proposals at their meeting on July 16 but the vote was not recorded, it was confirmed yesterday (Thursday).

The home applied for planning permission to build a two storey 11-bedroom extension to the rear of Cedarwood House, associated landscaping works to both the front and rear of the building, parking, as well as an ambulance bay and bin stores.

Barry Holdsworth, of Hastings Road, Battle, where the home is based said residents in the area have been fighting plans for the expansion of Cedarwood House care home for years. He has also asked RDC to launch an investigation to see whether Bexhill councillor, Brian Kentfield, who is also chairman of RDC’s planning committee, should have declared a prejudicial interest as he said his daughter worked part-time at the home. Cllr Kentfield however did declare a personal interest at the meeting.

A spokesman for RDC said: “A complaint has been made against a councillor and will be fully investigated. It would be inappropriate to comment further until this process is complete.”

Rother councillor Sue Prochak told the Observer the vote for the plans, which was 6:5 in favour, was to be re-cast.

Other residents have voiced their objections to the proposal in letters to RDC.

Eve Weston-Lewis, of Hastings Road, said: “The home generates a lot of traffic more than anyone else. This traffic along with all the turning and delivery lorries has become intolerable over the last few years.”

Catherine Sullivan, also of Hastings Road, said: “The lane access is too narrow to take any increase in traffic and cannot sustain any further growth.”

However, some people have given their support. Battle Town Council said it approved. Lisa Thompson, from St Leonards, said she believed the proposals will ‘alleviate’ existing problems with parking at Cedarwood House.

Michele McEwan, of Hillside Road, Hastings, said: “I think this will be very beneficial to all the residents at Cedarwood House and will offer more dementia support to the local community.”

Tracey Brew said: “Not many care homes take people with this condition, the staff are caring and well-trained. To be able to accommodate and care for more people would be brilliant.”

The application will come before Rother’s planning committee on August 20.

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