Despair over cheaper homes

RESIDENTS of a rural community near Heathfield have spoken of their frustration at the district council's refusal to allow plans for affordable housing in the area.

Land at Allis Farm, Rushlake Green, was submitted to Wealden Council as a possible site for cheaper housing for young local people.

However, Warbleton Parish Council was this week told the proposal had been refused.

The application was the latest in a number of failed applications for a so-called 'exception' site in the area. Now residents are pleading with Wealden officers to let them know what they have to do to be successful.

Andy Long, a parish council member, said the new housing was essential to the village if young locals were not to be driven out because of high rents and house prices.

'The problem of affordable housing has long been an issue in Warbleton parish,' he said, 'as nearly all the younger generation are forced to move far afield. They just cannot afford to live in the area.'

Mr Long, who is willing to donate part of his farm land for the development, said Wealden planning officers were being 'most unhelpful' and added that their stance was at odds with other parts of the district council.

'Government policy states that land which would normally not be considered for development can be opened up for an exception site,' he said. 'But the officers are using strict planning law to make their decision. They're not looking at it carefully enough they just come back with the same responses about damage to landscape and highway concerns.

'The council's housing association has given us a very good sales pitch as to why local housing is needed in Warbleton. But the sad fact is that the views expressed by one arm of Wealden are rejected by the other.

'I just wish the senior planning officers could be more imaginative and give us more guidance as to what exeption sites would be more appropriate. But the applications are just dismissed out of hand. It leaves a sour taste in the mouth when people are willing to donate land to better the community but are rejected in this way.'

In a statement, Wealden senior planning officer Jeff Thomas said both housing and planning officers at Wealden recognised the need for affordable housing in Warbleton and other rural parishes.

Landscape

They were actively engaged in seeking out suitable sites for affordable housing development under the rural 'exceptions' planning policy across the district.

'The adopted policy is clear that affordable housing developments should be located within or adjacent to an existing village, have good access to local services, and should not be intrusive in the countryside nor harmful to the character of the landscape,' said Mr Thomas.

'The land offered by Mr Long was considered by officers in accordance with normal procedures but was not considered to meet the exceptions policy as it is outside the confines of Rushlake Green, and it comprises an extensive area of steeply rising land that is generally open to long distance views where new development would be intrusive in the countryside and damaging to the landscape which is part of the nationally designated High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.'

He added: 'Officers are happy to continue discussions with the parish council with a view to finding a suitable site for affordable housing to be provided.'