Plans for a housing development on the edge of Hastings are set to go in front of councillors next week.
On Wednesday (October 23), Hastings Borough Council’s planning committee is expected to consider proposals from Jerboa Homes Limited to build 26 dwellings on land to the west of Rock Lane.
The proposals follow on from a previous application from the same developer (submitted in 2020), which was refused primarily due to concerns around its potential impact on the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
In a report to the committee, planning officers said the new scheme would still result in some ‘low level harm’ to the AONB, but these concerns would not be outweighed by benefits of additional housing.
In the report, a council planning spokesman said: “The provision of 26 residential units to housing land supply, given the scale of the council’s housing requirement would play a significant role in reaching the target of 481 homes per year.
“Therefore, officers consider that the provision of 26 homes would carry significant positive weight in the planning balance.”
The spokesman added: “Overall, officers, consider that the significant benefits in terms of the provision of housing and affordable housing, and low level benefits in terms of biodiversity enhancements would not be outweighed by the negative impacts of the development which are limited to a low level of harm to the character and appearance of the AONB and a low level of harm to the character and appearance of the street scene.
“Therefore, on balance the application is recommended for approval.”
This view is not shared by objectors, who argue the scheme would have an unacceptable impact on infrastructure and result in loss of green space. In all, the council received 45 letters of objection from 42 addresses.
Objectors include Guestling Parish Council, which raised specific concerns around drainage and highways traffic.
If approved, the development would be expected to include 10 affordable homes.
For further information see application reference HS/FA/23/00079 on the Hastings Borough Council website.
