The Local Plan, site HS10
HS10: Land at Rock Lane
- For
- Residential
- Minimum Indicative Capacity (net additional dwellings)
- 26
- Site area
- 1.2 hectares
- SHELAA reference
- HL63
What the plan says about it
Land at Rock Lane is a greenfield site located at the boundary with Rother District Council. The site adjoins a development to the northern boundary in Rother. The site is located in the High Weald National Landscape Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The site is suitable for residential development and would be expected to achieve 40% affordable housing and provide a variety of types and tenures of housing.
Design proposals would need to be sensitive to the location of the site within the National Landscape and have consideration to providing an active frontage to Rock Lane. The development would need to ensure that easements and buffers are secured to infrastructure on site including drains and overhead power lines.
The rest of the plan's explanation (1 more paragraph)
The site will require an Ecological Constraints and Opportunities Plan (ECOP), and any proposal must also be informed by an Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA). Assessments must take into account any nearby areas of wildlife sensitivity and the site itself should be thoroughly surveyed to identify constraints, taking into account the ecological and recreational impact of development. Any development proposal must seek to avoid or minimise impact on ecologically sensitive areas during both the construction and occupation phases of the development. The site is within an ACIB with mapped measures for nature networks. The development would need to ensure that an ecological management plan is developed for the site.
What a planning application here would have to do
- Provide affordable housing requirement in line with Policy SP2.
- Include an appropriate and safe buffer at the eastern boundary of the site (adjacent Rock Lane) due to presence of overhead power lines.
- Create a frontage along Rock Lane and demonstrate the conservation and enhancement of the National Landscape (AONB) showing how adverse impacts will be avoided. Proposals must demonstrate a landscape-led approach to design and layout, which should follow the advice in the High Weald AONB Housing Design Guide.
- Safeguard the Dark Skies of the High Weald National Landscape in line with the Dark Skies Technical Advice Note.
- Maintain a 5m buffer to the existing drain along the northern boundary of the site.
- Provide multi-functional open and play space, including a maintenance and management plan for their lifetime.
- Be supported by an Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) and Ecological Constraints and Opportunities Plan (ECOP), and incorporate appropriate conservation and mitigation measures as recommended by the EcIA. The ECOP must make specific reference to the High Weald National Landscape, site surveys, and to other nearby areas of wildlife sensitivity. Opportunities for enhancement should have regard to the LNRS
- Include a Management Plan for the identified Ecology Zone, including measures for the management and ongoing maintenance of that area.
- Be informed by a Transport Assessment and Travel Plan, following a vision-led approach, and including a provision for ‘monitor and manage’ for transport interventions. Active travel should be prioritised, and the proposals should include and enhance walking and cycling links to ensure local connectivity, access to the wider National Landscape (AONB) and Ivyhouse Lane Employment Area, including to local community infrastructure, green spaces and public transport provision, taking into account site topography.
- Provide vehicular access from Rock Lane to be provided in accordance with highway standards, footway provision along the frontage and suitable crossing facilities to access bus stops on Churchill Avenue.
- Have regard to any relevant policies from Rother District Council development plan documents.
What people said in the spring
In the spring 2026 consultation on the draft plan (called Regulation 18), 30 comments were made on this site: 21 objections, 0 in support and 9 other comments.
The issues people raised, as the council's report sums them up:
- Landscape and visual impact
- High Weald National Landscape location
- Ecology including tree and woodland, protected species
- Transport matters, highway capacity and public transport provision
What the council did in response: Policy HS10 amended.
How to comment
The council hasn't opened the six weeks for comments yet, as far as we can see. When it does, the dates and how to respond will be on our Local Plan page and on the council's own ↗.
Other council papers that mention it
- Appendix 3-2026 Consultation Report Final for Cabinet 26082026 Redacted ↗
Cabinet, Mon 7 Sep 2026
“HS10: Land at Rock Lane 1. Landscape and visual impact, 2.”