How many more newhomes can we take?

More than 100 people packed into Northiam Village Hall recently to view an exhibition by developers Persimmon, who want to build 66 new homes on the Donsmead site at Station Road.

Conservation Society chairman Mervyn Hayes said: “We have been contacted by more than 50 people who want more information on this. The exhibition raised more questions than it answered.

“The site is, at present, outside the village building envelope. However, we are very concerned that Northiam has been reclassified as a Service Village and have contacted the parish council and the district councillor to find out when and how this happened and what it means for the village going forward.

“With the Paddock development, which already has planning permission agreed for 55 flats, the question being asked is how many houses can be built in Northiam.

“The old housing plans for the South East and the core strategy for villages has been scrapped by the Government.

“The Conservation Society will be checking to see the impact on Northiam and which areas have been added to the building envelope.

“The Society has been contacted about having an open village meeting to review all these issues.

“I will be contacting the parish council to see if a meeting can be arranged.”