Rother must find room for 5,600 new homes in 20 years

Director of services Tony Leonard says the council must plan for 5,600 new homes over the next 20 years.

He said this week: "A central theme of the document is how development can best meet the needs of the district '“ for economic regeneration, affordable housing, conservation of its environmental qualities, access to services and community facilities ".

Most of the planned growth will be in Bexhill, with more limited development at Battle and Rye, and the balance dispersed more widely between villages.

The strategy also recognises that Bexhill cannot provide for more jobs or homes without the Link Road, and makes the case that Government should not expect Rother's other towns and villages to absorb further, unsustainable growth, if it is delayed.

The intention is to draw together the various strands of the strategy, and associated development levels, into a consultation document.

The cabinet is being asked to give district and parish councillors, and service-providers, the opportunity to give initial comments to help draft the strategy document.

The public will be consulted on the preferred strategy options in September.

Consultation will last six weeks. Rother said this week that details about how people can contribute to determining the final strategy will be well publicised in due course.