Relief and satisfaction

THE news on Wednesday December 1, that the planning inspector had dismissed the planning appeal at Herbrand Walk Beach, was greeted with relief and satisfaction by the committee and members of the Herbrand Walk Beach Preservation Society.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Dec 2010, 10:00 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:23 BST

In the six-page letter confirming his decision, the inspector referred to every detail in the considerable evidence presented to him at the hearing on October 12.

His summary at paragraph 20 stated: “On balance I consider that the benefits of the appeal proposal would not outweigh the harm that the development would cause to the existing informal undeveloped character and appearance of the expanse of beach to the west of Bexhill and to the wider rural locality, which would conflict with the requirements of local plan policies GD1 and DS1.”

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He concluded at paragraph 23 by stating that such conflict “is accordingly unacceptable and the appeal does not succeed”.

Since these reasons are precisely those which had been argued by this society and Roger Scott of Rother District Council’s planning department, with the enthusiastic support of local councillors Joanne Gadd, Joy Hughes and Deirdre Williams and, of course, the 639 members of this society, we are delighted that the common view has ultimately prevailed.

This example should demonstrate to sceptics within the senior management of Rother District Council the effective power and goodwill which can be generated by the unified co-operation of council officers, council members and residents, in support of a local cause which has the wholehearted support of the majority of residents from the outset.

JOHN HODSON

Chairman

Herbrand Walk Beach Preservation Society

Related topics:Bexhill