Plans for a housing development on the edge of Hastings have been given the go ahead by councillors.
On Wednesday (October 23), Hastings Borough Council’s planning committee unanimously approved proposals from Jerboa Homes Limited to build 26 dwellings on land to the west of Rock Lane.
The proposals followed 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).
The committee heard how 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.
This view appeared to be shared by the committee. Cllr Judy Rogers, who seconded the motion to approve the scheme, said: “It is good to see that there are only 26 dwellings going up on that site and they are only going to be two-stories, so there will be plenty of room; it won’t be overcrowded.
“As we said on the previous application, we desperately need homes for people and it is good to see that some of the properties on there will be affordable, they will be targeting people on our housing list.
“Given that, I believe we have to agree this application.”
The council had received 45 letters of objection in connection with the proposals. Objectors had argued 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.
Guestling Parish Council had also submitted an objection, raising concerns around drainage and highways traffic.
Once built, the development is expected to include 10 affordable homes.
For further information see application reference HS/FA/23/00079 on the Hastings Borough Council website.
