New sign for floodhit boating stationin Rother Valley

A FLOOD hit Northiam business has won a bid to promote its services after planners at Rother Council overruled objections from the parish council.

Bodiam Boating Station, which is situated in the Rother Valley at Northiam, close to the Kent border, was the only property in the village to be flooded last winter.

Owner Alex Bolton had submitted planning application to display a sign on the east side of the A28.

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The vertical sign, which would be one metre above the road-side ground level, is non-illuminated and will contain details of the various activities at Bodiam Boating Station.

It will be constructed from powder-coated aluminium, like other highway and tourism signs and have blue lettering on a white background.

But despite the highways authority having no safety concerns over the sign, Northiam Parish Council said the original application was ‘too large and obtrusive’.

Rother planning chief Tim Hickling said: “The main issues are whether the proposal does not detract from the character and appearance of the locality, and public safety with regard to highways matters.

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“The proposed sign is set a sufficient distance back and can be clearly read from the highway, ensuring highway safety will not be compromised.

“The amended design for the sign is not considered to be obtrusive and responds to concerns expressed by the parish council.”

Cllr Ian Jenkins said: “This establishment is the only property in Northiam that really suffered badly from flooding.

“I feel we should totally support all businesses in the area. This family have suffered a lot of problems as a result of local flooding.”

Cllr Sue Prochak commented: “This is something we should be supporting.”

Local councillor Martin Mooney also supported the proposal.

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