Key meeting in Westham Village challenges Wealden Council planning policies
At an ‘inaugural’ meeting of the Westham Conservation Group, held at Westham Village Hall on Tuesday 25 November, a packed audience heard a number of speakers argue the case against the controversial development at Peelings Lane in the village.
Following the meeting, a spokesman for the group said ‘the village is clearly united in its passionate opposition to the blatant attempt by Wealden District planners to breach the development boundary around the vlllage’.
The plan to build 18 homes on the site, by Trinity Homes, was turned down by Wealden Council at a meeting on September 18. The application is now in the process of going to appeal.
Organisers of the meeting described the way in which this issue and many others about the character of the village were discussed. They recorded a significant number of residents signing up to join the group and ‘prepare submissions to the inspector deciding on the development’.
Banners are now appearing in Peelings Lance. It looks very much like Wealden District Council and the developers are about to have a fight on their hands. The appeal has become a major issue in the locality.
The issue appears to be bringing into the public domain from the village a declaration of its essential values.
Campaigners argue, ‘Our voices will be heard! The village is united, and it’s saying no to housing development outside the development boundary in Peelings Lane’.
In July this year, Nick Daines and John McClarty formed the Westham Conservation Group. ‘In taking these steps’ they argued the cause would seek to;
• Stimulate public interest in the history, character and beauty of Westham village
• Act as a forum for the views of Westham residents about issues and concerns affecting the village
• Encourage the wise conservation, enhancement and improvement of Westham village
Some members of Eastbourne & District Friends of the Earth live in the village of Westham, where the planning application for the 18 new homes is being considered.
They argued at the time of the initial application that ‘the new houses will destroy a significant amount of the natural and historic heritage of the lane, which residents and tourists alike appreciate greatly. The development will be outside the development boundary specified in the Local Plan. If ‘The Herons’ is granted permission, then the whole of the country edge on the north side of Peelings Lane is at risk of disappearing’
The developer, Trinity Homes, argues that ‘The Herons’ is needed because of a shortage of affordable homes.
The planning application to build the homes on land north of Peelings Lane was rejected by Wealden’s planning committee on 18 September 2014.
The reasons for refusal were:
“Being in open countryside outside the development boundary, the application would need to be in accordance with Exceptions Policy WCS9. The committee considered that the development was not in accordance with the policy. There is a lack of wastewater treatment capacity at the Eastbourne works”.
However, the developer has submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
The date for consideration of objections is today (December 4). The community, council and developers will now all await the outcome of the planning process.
What is clear, whatever the outcome, is that the village has now found its campaigning voice. Conservation issues in Westham have a new place on the local agenda.
Simon Montgomery
editor, Bay Life
