‘Large’ salt barn and depot plans for Battle

East Sussex County Council has applied for planning permission to build the depot and 693m2 salt barn on land in Marley Lane.

The depot will be home to nine gritting lorries and one snow blower, as well as offices and garages.

The council says it decided to submit the planning application following a review of its existing depots across the county.

ESCC said: “A review of the existing depots within East Sussex resulted in the requirement for a new depot facility to be built in the eastern part of the county to enable consolidation of activities from existing depots in this area.

“The existing depot in Sidley was considered, however the site at Marley Lane was chosen.”

The application added: “The site has been chosen due to its strategic location serving the eastern part of the county with good connections to the A21 and the rest of the strategic highway network.”

The site will operate normal office hours throughout the year, with 24 hour working for short periods during the winter months.

There will be one member of staff permanently on site with up to five ‘hot desks’ for associated county council staff visiting the site. Ten drivers will also be based on site during the winter, along with 12 maintenance staff.

As well as the fleet of gritters, six highway maintenance vehicles will be based on the site and a low loader vehicle will visit once a week to deliver salt during busy periods through the winter.

The height of the salt barn is designed to enable a lorry to tip its load within the barn.

The boundary to the depot has been sited 22m away from the boundary to an area of ancient woodland.

A number of trees will have to be removed from the site for development to take place.

Businesses and residents have until August 23 to have their say on the plans. A decision will be made at later date.