Update on Speckled Wood

29th Oct 2013

UPDATE ON SPECKLED WOOD.
The Hasting Borough Council Development Plan has failed to be delivered to the inspector this year.

We understand that the reason for this position is that the South East Plan was abolished, by the government. The SE Plan was a strategic development plan for the whole of South East England, drawn up by the South East Regional Assembly, which has also been abolished.

We understand that this was what the Council had based its 3,200 homes housing target on, and meant that they had to go through a lengthy process of that being replaced (in effect) with a target of 7,000 homes, and having to provide new evidence to show that they could only make room for 3,400 new homes. Yes it seems this figure has increased.

Because of the abolition of the South East Plan we have been informed that the planning inspector thinks the Council should consult on the DMP again, because of the time that’s elapsed since the original consultation. We understand the consultation will pretty much be a repeat of the last one last year, although probably over a shorter period. As it says in the Shaping Hastings Newsletter, previous comments will be taken into account, but it’s an opportunity to add new ones (or even withdraw previous ones). It’ll take place early next year, we don’t know exactly when yet.

This could be good news if the Victoria Avenue Planning Application is not approved but it does mean the whole process will start from last year again. We really would benefit from the general public helping with this matter taking Speckled Wood through the next consultation to help us increase the public objection to the planning in Speckled Wood.