Development plan for 55 new homes and commercial space in Rye

Martello Developments Ltd submitted the bid to Rother District Council.

The scheme at the Rye Creative Centre site would include creating commercial floor space and a new access from New Road.

A planning statement by Whaleback, on behalf of the applicant, said: “The application site is located on the southern side of New Road on the eastern edge of Rye. Since the closure of the former Freda Gardham school, the current use of the building and grounds is an arts centre and offices. The site is previously development brownfield land for planning purposes.

“Outline planning permission is sought for the demolition of the existing building and construction of up to 55 new dwellings and 257sqm of commercial floorspace, with a new access from New Road.

“In 2024 the applicant entered into a Planning Performance Agreement with Rother District Council in relation to the proposed development. Written and verbal advice was received throughout that process in relation to detailed design, housing density, layout and landscaping.

“The application represents sustainable development and the provision of up to 55 much-needed new homes in an area with a significant shortfall in housing land supply, on a site long-allocated for redevelopment in the adopted and emerging development plan.”

Whaleback said the proposed development would also include new public open space, up to 257sqm of new commercial floorspace, creating 'local employment opportunities and contributions to the local economy'.

Its statement added: “It has been demonstrated that the proposed scheme would have an acceptable relationship with neighbouring properties in terms of residential amenity, the indicative design is locally characteristic, and the standard of accommodation would be very good.”

The application can be viewed online via the planning section of the Rother District Council website at www.rother.gov.uk/planning and searching under the reference number RR/2026/0671.