Page 75 - All files for Planning Inspectorate update

Development proposals that generate an increased need for parking must provide adequate
and suitable off-street parking in order to minimise obstruction of the local road network in
the interests of the safety of all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. In the case of
residential development, a minimum of two parking spaces will be required for units with 1 -
3 bedrooms”

DM/19/1025 proposes the provision of 67 parking spaces. This is justified (page 28) by
reference to the WSCC Parking Demand Tool. However, as indicated above, this only
identifies minimum requirements. Full provision in accordance with council policy would
require 108 spaces; there is thus a shortfall of some 38% in provision.

5. The proposals have a number of other design deficiencies, many of which also appeared in
DM/18/1548.

 The design of the buildings, while maximising the utilisation (indeed the over-
utilisation) of the site, is completely inappropriate to the rural nature of the area. It
is difficult to see how “contemporary modern design” is relevant to the Ashurst
Wood environment. The developer has illustrated examples of earlier design
treatments from developments in London and Cambridge – which have already
been dismissed as deficient in your letter of 11 March 2019 rejecting DM/18/1548.

“The removal of the existing building provides an opportunity to enhance the site,
which this proposal does not achieve. The reference to developments in Cambridge
and London as precedents for this scheme is inappropriate, as those developments
are in cities which are obviously not comparable to a village located in the High
Weald AONB.”

 In spite of the under-provision of parking spaces the site is still dominated by
roadways and parking.

 There is minimal community green space. The space identified in the plan on page
38 of the proposal is clearly visible to only two buildings, partially visible to another
two, and completely invisible to the remaining three. The largest green space area is
the buffer zone, which is not only invisible to all seven buildings but is also to be
fenced off.

 It is envisaged that nine parking spaces will be located on the left immediately after
entering the site from Lewes Road. This will require the loss of all the trees and
shrubbery currently there, which will further damage the otherwise rural nature of
the area.

“The proposed loss of trees adjacent to the site entrance is unfortunate as it
undermines the sylvan character of this part of Lewes Road and contributes to the
hard-edged character of the development, as replacement trees will take time to
establish themselves and will not so effectively screen / soften it from the road.”

 Furthermore the outlined development of the LIC site implies the creation of a new
entry on the immediate right of the entrance from the Lewes Road to provide access