Concerned residents flocked to the opening of a public consultation recently to see plans for a development on land at the Boship Roundabout.
The developer invited people to attend the event which was held at the Union Corner Hall, which was quickly set upon by a group of protestors holding up banners to object to the plans of up to 124 homes on the land.
Hertfordshire Holdings Ltd was behind the consultation which is also gathering views from residents on if they feel a discount supermarket is needed on the land, which would see a reduction in homes if it was to go ahead.
A spokesperson from the company told Hailsham News: “We generally just want to understand if there’s interest and demand locally for a discount food store because there isn’t an Aldi or Lidl in the town. It’s a different offering and has a very different price offer. With the cost of living crisis and everything else, it’s a genuine query as to whether this is an opportunity for that.”
They added: “We’ve looked at other sites close to the town centre and we can’t see anything that’s of a scale and suitability to accommodate a store of that nature – this is the next nearest. The feedback from residents during the consultation will all be considered. If we submitted a planning application, we are duty-bound to summarise the points of feedback, the weight of comments and to represent it in a fair way.”
An early application has been made to Wealden District Council with plans for the homes on the 8-hectare site, but the developers say that could reduce to sixty if the town feels it needs a discount supermarket locally.
It’s well-known locally that land all around the Boship Hotel regularly floods during bad weather events and water from the Cuckmere River, which passes through the proposed land, backs up into nearby Hellingly which has caused many issues over the past few months for residents.
People living in Hellingly have expressed their concerns on the plans saying increased development in the area will only lead to more run-off water increasing the risk of more flooding.
Hellingly resident Serena Schellenberg told Hailsham News: “I’m pretty devastated that yet another development on land that floods. To have a large supermarket and so many houses built there is just crazy and pointless -where is the water going to go?
Delia Cottingham who also lives in the village said: “We’re now absolutely swamped, literally, and most importantly, all the developments that are going on, the surface water can’t escape because there’s not adequate provision for it. There’s never any dredging done, so The Cuckmere River is getting more and more flooded as the years go by. And it’s not just an impact here. It’s an impact further down the river as well.”
Access to the site, which would have to comprise of 35% affordable homes, would be via the A271 at Lower Horsebridge.
A Noise Impact Assessment has measured the levels in the area to find out the impact to residents who might live there. It concluded the site is suitable for residential use depending on ‘a good acoustic design process.’
The application can be viewed on the Wealden District Council website using reference: WD/2022/3222/MAO.
