Road safety fears over homes scheme in Battle

As previously reported, Millwood Designer Homes has submitted an application to Rother District Council in a bid to get outline planning permission for the development on land to the west of Lillybank Farm, London Road.

But some people living in the area believe the scheme will lead to extra traffic and congestion.

Marta Pabon-Bermudez, of Wattle’s Wish, said: “Access to Wattle’s Wish from London Road was already closed because of safety concerns, so it makes no sense for another access to be opened a few metres away. The traffic that would be generated by such development is likely to have a massive impact and worsen an already congested cross town traffic.”

Wendy Graham, of Netherfield Road, said: “We all chose to live in this area because of its tranquillity and rural aspect. Not only would this development destroy the quality of our lives and our homes but also have a detrimental effect on the town itself.”

Joan Gibb, of Rowbarns, said: “London Road is already a busy road and does not need the extra traffic this planning application will produce.”

Sheila Richardson, of Wattle’s Wish, said she believed the scheme would lead to Battle town centre becoming more congested.

She added: “Wattle’s Wish is very peaceful and quiet and to have this totally taken away by new houses is quite alarming.”

But Battle Town Council said it had no objection to the plans and welcomed the opportunity to work with the developer. Millwood says it wants to create ‘a high quality and distinctive residential development within Battle’.

The application includes vehicle access to the site from London Road.

Access would be restricted to a pedestrian and cycle link only through Wattle’s Wish.

The development would also include affordable housing and ‘informal areas of open space’.

Rother District Council will decide whether to grant outline planning permission for the scheme at a later date.

It is not the first time Millwood Designer Homes has tried to get planning permission to build on the site.

In 2000, the Tonbridge-based company applied for outline planning permission.

However, Rother District Council turned down the plans. At the time, a number of reasons were given, including it being outside the development boundary.

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