Plans for major Battle housing development unveiled

Rother District Council is set to submit a full planning application for 200 homes, including at least 70 affordable homes, on the Blackfriars site.

The site has been allocated for development for many years, and money from the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund has been awarded to help to deliver a new road, making it possible to develop the site for desperately needed housing in the district, the council said.

Having already gained outline planning permission, the district council has shared details of the site’s design online before a full application is made.

Cllr Terry Byrne, the council’s portfolio holder for housing, said: “It’s extremely important this much-needed development positively contributes to the local identity and character of the area while respecting the neighbouring woodland.

“The current Covid-19 crisis means we are unable to share the plans with the public in the way we had planned, but residents can now access a presentation of the proposals by our chosen architects, BE Design, and give us their views.”

The council said architects are designing high quality low-carbon homes which maximise the use of solar energy and renewable energy technologies.

The scheme will include green spaces, while landscaped spaces will promote ecological biodiversity, the council said.

BE Design’s presentation can be viewed at www.rother.gov.uk/blackfriars/design.

An application is expected to be submitted by the end of November. Questions and comments can be sent to [email protected].

The full planning application will be subject to a public consultation before any decision is made.

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