Villagers are furious that funeral directors Perigoe and Son are planning to create a cold-house, to store corpses in the heart of a residential area.

Perigoes, who already have a base in nearby Beckley, are opening in a former pet shop on the corner of Dixter Rod and Ewhurst Lane.

But the move has led to a barrage of complaints from residents who say they will have coffins passing just feet from their homes and that unloading hearses will cause a traffic hazard on a dangerous and busy corner.

Due to a planning quirk Perigoe's do not need permission to open up in Northiam as funeral directors are considered to be retail.
The only planning permission they need is for a fan to keep the dead bodies cool.

Residents were incensed when Perigoe's told Rother there were no objections from neighbours when they had not even been consulted.
Now the parish council is calling for an apology and has said there should be a planning committee site visit to Northiam before any decision is made.

In a letter to Rother's planning department, parish clerk Sue Keighley said: "It is imperative the committee visits the site to appreciate the devastating effect the proposals could have on very close neighbouring properties.

"The proposed condenser fan, which would be running 24 hours, is within a few feet of the bedroom window and garden of a residential property affecting the environmental quality for the owners.

"The applicant has stated that neighbours have been consulted and have no objections. This is complete fabrication.

"The parish council has received strong representations from those neighbours refuting the claim and gives them its full support in demanding a withdrawal of the statement, from the application, together with appropriate apologies.

"It is understood that no change of use application is required but the council feels there are serious issues connected with the proposed new usage.

See this Friday's Rye Observer for the full detailed story