New homes will change village

I was very happy living in Robertsbridge, until I discovered recently that a further 155 houses are to be built here, on top of the 200 or so which were built during the last 2 decades. If built, that would mean an increase in the number of houses and population of around 40% between 1991 and 2028!

How can this happen to a village without any effective consultation with residents by the District Council?

I cannot help but think that a further 155 new houses will go quite some way towards changing the rural charm and appeal of the village, as well as leading to increasing congestion, road accidents and a heightened risk of further flooding, resulting from the more rapid run-off of water from hard surfaces.

In short, quality of life in Robertsbridge is likely to fall.

In their “Proposed Submission Core Strategy” (for development) published in August 2011, the existence of which has been unknown to many people in the village, Rother District Council stated in para 12.14 that “…a lower level of growth is appropriate for the rural areas in future years, in order to respect valued landscape, heritage …”. In that document Robertsbridge was earmarked to take a maximum of 119 new houses.

The District Council now wants the village to accept a further 36 houses, on top, making 155 in total!

An informal meeting will be held in The Church Hall, Fair Lane, Robertsbridge at 7.30pm on 18 September in order to discuss these issues and provide support to anyone wishing to make representations to Rother District Council.

I do hope that you will take this opportunity to air your views.

Douglas Jones

Robertsbridge