Parish update – February, 2025
Parish Update – February/March 2025
Long Pond & Redrow
Redrow have made us aware that the removal of one tree and vegetation clearance at Long Pond will be taking place next week (wc 3rd March). This is to facilitate the installation of S278 drainage pipework and head walls. Redrow have confirmed that their ecologist and arboriculturist have approved their proposal which is in line with the Tree Protection Plan and that an up to date GNC (Great Crested Newt) District Licence is in place (NSP301WDC).
The Parish Council have sought professional planning guidance regarding the works that are being undertaken and that were approved as part of WD/2024/1626/MFA.
Steve Tilbury, an independent planning consultant suggested by ESALC, has reviewed the planning application for us. His report explains that Redrow sought minor amendments to the scheme, in accordance with established planning law. Wealden could only consider whether to approve those changes; they could not revisit anything else that had previously been approved. None of the amendments were intended to alter the previously agreed status or role of Long Pond. Whether we agreed with them or not, the consultation responses Wealden received meant that there were no good planning reasons for the amendments to be refused. Steve has made some suggestions as to how Wealden could help all of us to respond more effectively in the future.
We will be posting Steve’s full advice on our website.
London Road Roadworks
The roadworks in London Road are coming back for 3 weeks commencing on 6th March – this is for the installation of new kerbing, including two additional islands, gullies and re-tarmacking of the road. As part of this we are informed that London Road will be resurfaced in the area surrounding the junction at Dressage Drive going down towards the Community Allotments.
Planning Applications – Harrisons Field, Tourles Farm and Circle of Oaks
A new hybrid planning application has been submitted to Wealden District Council.
In summary the application is for Harrisons Field (London Road), Tourles Farm and Circle of Oaks. The applications for 275 new homes. Once we know the planning application reference number we will publish it on our website and on our Facebook page.
Harrisons Field is an Outline Application providing for 99 new units to include 12 self-build plots and 8 units allocated for the Community Land Trust.
Tourles Farm is an Outline Application providing for 176 dwellings.
Circle of Oaks is a Full Application for 17 units and would serve as a gateway to the wider plan.
Included within the proposed development are:
- A centrally located school with sports facilities that would also serve the wider community
- New public open space
- New footpaths
- Community allotments
- Accessible play areas.
As a Consultee East Hoathly with Halland Parish Council will be holding a Planning Committee meeting to discuss this application and further details will follow in due course. We have asked that Parker Dann hold an Information event/exhibition for this planning application and once we know more about this we will be letting you know.
Further Planning Applications
Parker Dann are also submitting planning applications to have the Section 106 Agreements for Hesmonds Stud varied. There are currently S106 Agreements on place which state that the stud land cannot be split and sold in separate parcels of land. These applications, if successful, would remove these restrictions.
Planning consultant advice (Long Pond)
Planning consultant advice regarding Long Pond – WD.2024.1626.MFA
Wealden District Council Response to Redrow Homes Planning Application WD/2024/1626/MFA
Advice Note to East Hoathly with Halland Parish Council
The parish council has asked Steve Tilbury Consulting to advise on whether there are any obvious defects in the way in which Wealden District Council (the ‘LPA’) has considered this planning application and whether the parish council could have done more by way of a response.
Background
WD/2024/1626/MFA is a Section 73 application for a variation to Condition 29 attached to the approved full application WD/2022/0341/MAJ. Condition 29 lists the plans in accordance with which development must take place. The applicant sought a number of amendments to the affordable housing mix, house type design and layout, to be achieved by substituting new plans so that development is regulated by with these, rather than those previously agreed. There is nothing abnormal or unusual about this process.
When a Section 73 application is made the LPA can only consider the matters raised in the application – the proposed changes – and whether to approve or refuse them.[1] It cannot take the opportunity to revisit other matters and there is no point in consultees raising these because they cannot be considered.
Proposed Amendments
The parish council is concerned that there may have been changes to the proposed surface water drainage proposals which have not been properly considered by the LPA as part of decision making for WD/2024/1626/MFA .
From my review I do not think this is the case, although I can understand why the question arises.
No amendment has been agreed under WD/2024/1626/MFA which will see Long Pond being used as any part of the surface water drainage system for the housing development. Long Pond is, and always has been, retained only as an ecological feature and for its environmental benefit. The surface water drainage proposals which are agreed by WD/2024/1626/MFA are adjustments that need to be made to pipe runs etc as a result of the minor (and limited) layout changes. There is nothing the parish council could or should have responded to in more detail than it did in this regard.
WD/2024/1626/MFA also contained a request to remove two trees so that ‘safe construction’ can take place in relation to Long Pond.
Unfortunately the officer update to the planning committee somewhat conflates two issues relating to the reason for the request to remove the trees. One is the installation of the new drainage pipe from the highway. The second is dredging of the pond which is considered necessary to improve its condition.
Long Pond will receive some water from the highway via gullies which are being installed under a Section 278 highway agreement with East Sussex County Council. Although this may only have been ‘noticed’ when reviewing plans submitted with WD/2024/1626/MFA, this is not a new addition to the scheme and the gullies appear on at least one plan associated with the detailed application in 2022. Provided the developer’s advisors and the County Council are content with the proposal there is no reason why this should not be acceptable. It is not (so far as I can see from any submissions) a change which could be objected to or reviewed under WD/2024/1626/MFA.
Whether dredging of the pond is necessary or desirable is a matter for the landowner in consultation with the relevant authorities. It is certainly not ruled out by any of the previous ecological assessments or the approved management plan and may be necessary as part of restoration proposals. There was no basis for the parish council, or anyone else, to object to it under WD/2024/1626/MFA. In relation to the disturbance of great crested newts the parish council has confirmed that the developer holds an up to date licence under the district wide scheme.
Whether or not removal of the two trees which was proposed under WD/2024/1626/MFA was acceptable was a matter of planning judgement for the LPA which they made on the advice they received. Had the trees been more established or had been veteran trees, then they may well have reached a different decision. But so far as I can see there is nothing ‘wrong’ with the decision they made even if there are strongly held views to the contrary.
Observation
Long Pond has been the subject of ecological evaluation as part of the decision making process. I am surprised, as a non-expert in ecological matters, that none of those evaluations seems to have given explained whether the changes in the local environment post development might affect the pond and what might need to be done to ensure that there are no negative impacts on its habitat. I am not suggesting that there is anything defective about the assessment process – only that it would have been helpful if this information had been articulated and that it had been included in a single reference document. This could have brought together the assessment of the condition of the pond, set aims and objectives for its management and maintenance and provided some guidance on how this should be achieved. This information is by and large available in different documents, but as a result is somewhat scattered about and not easy to interpret. With hindsight this might have been something for the parish council to press for, given the status of Long Pond as a Local Green Space.
The wider problem which it may be worth raising with Wealden is that LPAs often do not realise just how difficult it can be for parish councils and other non-professionals to keep track of proposed amendments or to follow the process by which they are being considered. A similar situation often arises when an application is amended before a decision and new plans and drawings are submitted for public re-consultation.
Asking applicants to provide a single document with a simple to follow explanation of what changes are proposed (including making clear which are instrumental and which are consequential) and why they are needed would be helpful.
Conclusion
In my view the details of the proposed amendments were made available adequately and I do not see anything to fault technically in the way in which the LPA handled the application. There were no changes proposed which the parish council could have effectively objected to given the consultation responses.
Steve Tilbury
Steve Tilbury Consulting
25 February 2025
[1]If a Section 73 application is agreed it results in a new planning consent being issued – as before but with the changes made. The original planning application remains ‘live’ as well.
Little Horsted substation – construction summer update
Little Horsted substation – construction summer update
Little Horsted substation – construction summer update
I would like to update you on the construction of our substation near Little Horsted.
As you may recall, we are building two electricity substations (one for National Grid and one for our customer, UK Power Networks which they will deliver) as well as constructing two new electricity pylons and dismantling an existing pylon. The development provides a new connection for UK Power Networks and will ensure a continued, safe and secure supply of electricity to local homes and businesses.
We’ve completed our groundworks activity, which involved removing around 65,000 cubic metres of topsoil and subsoil to level the site. It was transported for local use to resurface polo fields in Polegate and, the subsoil will be used in Horsham to cap and landscape a landfill.
Our next phase of work includes installing security fencing and pouring concrete to create a surface for the two supergrid transformers – transformers are a vital piece of equipment which reduce the voltage of electricity so it can be safely delivered to local homes and businesses. We also need to carry out other civils works including drainage and earthing works, laying substation foundations and constructing new access roads. We will bring in stone from a local quarry for these activities.
UK Power Networks’ contractor will start on site from mid-August to prepare for their substation build and to remove spoil. They will follow the same traffic management plan as our works.
Finally, some advance warning that we need to transport the two new supergrid transformers in a few months’ time from Shoreham Port to Little Horsted substation. The dates are not confirmed but likely to be at the end of September/beginning of October over consecutive weekends. We will be in touch nearer the time with further details.
We understand our work may impact the local community and we’re working hard to minimise disruption where we can. We’re regularly monitoring construction traffic, vehicle movements, noise, dust, vibration and light. Thank you for your patience and cooperation while we carry out this essential work.
If you have any queries, please contact our community relations team for free on 0800 073 1047 or via nationalgridteam@jbp.co.uk. They’re available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm with an answering service in place outside of these times. You can also visit https://www.nationalgrid.com/electricitytransmission/network-and-infrastructure/little-horsted.
Jubilee Meadow, East Hoathly
Jubilee Meadow, East Hoathly Jubilee Meadow, East Hoathly
Further to recent comments on Facebook claiming an incorrect cost figure, the Parish Council can confirm the total expenditure to date for the wildflower area at the War Memorial Sports Ground, known as the Jubilee Meadow.
From October 2022 to date the Parish Council has spent £1914 of which £319 is recoverable VAT, so there is a net expenditure of £1595. The Parish Council is currently reviewing the wildflower meadow and is taking advice following the poor display this year. The wet spring and poor summer weather has not helped.
