Maple Walk - 32 letters of objection

The site is of archeological interest and could be an important wildlife habitat.

The Old Harrier Kennels site to the west of Maple Walk is on the town's western fringe. But planning officers will be recommending Thursday's meeting of the planning committee to grant permission because the site is within the town's development boundary as identified in the Rother District Local Plan.

They say: "As such there is no presumption against the principle off residential development on the site."

They say low-density housing could be accommodated which would reflect the density and pattern of existing properties in the area without affecting them.

"Furthermore, the development proposal would enable provision for new planting and landscaping to mitigate against any impact of development on the character and appearance of the area."

They say that permission, if granted, should be subject to no objection being raised by Natural England.

Natural England has said that because of the absence of sufficient information on protected species on the site it objects to the application "pending submission of the requested information/survey work on bats, great crested newts and reptiles."

Natural England adds: "When the information becomes available, we wil review the survey results and methodology and advise accordingly."

The county archeologist says: "This application is of archeological interest since it lies adjacent to a medieval moated manor house, which is a schedule ancient monument." The possibility exists that ancillary buildings and other contemporary structures were located alongside a trackway leading to the former manor house.

The archeologist wants a programme of archeological works on the site. "This will enable any archeological deposits and features, disturbedduring the proposed works, to be adequately recorded."