Proposals for 140 new homes in Rye were discussed last week at the first public event organized by Martello Developments since their plans were revealed late last year. Almost a hundred local people attended the meeting at the Winery on Rock Channel on Wednesday February 12.
Members of the project team were on hand to take questions, and large display boards gave more detail on the proposals for homes at four sites in the town. The plans also include a new base for Rye Creative Centre and a new nature reserve on the Harbour Road along with housing.
The meeting, which was described by the organisers as a “community engagement event”. took place at the site on Rock Channel originally identified by Martello for a new arts centre. The Bridge Point Centre was to have included a gallery, shops, restaurant, and a 250-seat performance space. It received planning permission in 2020, however the current proposals are now for 24 homes on the brownfield site.
Homes are also planned for Tilling Green and on the site of the former Freda Gardham School, the current home to Rye Creative Centre which will be demolished.
Flooding was a major concern for many people attending the meeting. Rob Pollard from RX Architects acknowledged that all four sites had flood risk. “There are constraints on all of the allocated sites. They do benefit from flood protection and we are working closely with the Environment Agency.”
For some, the harbour road plans continue to be the most controversial with fears of flooding on the salt marsh and concerns the proposals are outside the Rye Neighbourhood Plan.
The need for new housing was also acknowledged. “There is nowhere for young families to rent or buy”, “Where will people who want to work here live?”, “Our hospitality industry needs places for workers to stay”, “It’s not as simple as just building new houses, there’s hundreds of empty second homes and Airbnb’s in Rye which need addressing first.”
Social housing needed to be prioritised said many people at the meeting. The plans currently include proposals for between 30-40% affordable homes on each site, however the project team were unable to confirm the percentage of any social housing and whether it will be included. Planning consultant Molly McLean explained discussions were continuing. “We’re talking to housing associations and Rother District Council. Ultimately, it’s down to the planning authorities how much social housing there will be and where.”
Other concerns raised included: access arrangements and traffic, the future of the creative centre, the height of the new buildings and potential damage to the Rye skyline. Whilst a number of people were pessimistic about the proposals actually happening, others said they were pleased the plans were being put forward by a local developer.
Worries about the impact of the new developments on Rye infrastructure like sewage and health provision were countered with a potential multi-million bonus for local authorities. Under the current plans Martello expects to pay £2.2million in community infrastructure levy.
A spokesperson for Martello explained the plans were still on course to be officially submitted in the summer. “It was great to see such a strong level of interest in the proposals at the event on February 12. We received some welcome and useful feedback which will now be reflected on by the project team. There is still plenty of time for anyone who came along to let us have their thoughts on the proposals.”
You can read more about the plans in this Rye News article and on the Martello Developments website.
Image Credits: Kt bruce , James Stewart .