Planning appeal 'could open floodgates'

An appeal made by Cliveden Properties plc to replace two homes with large gardens in Pebsham Lane with five four bed houses and three bungalows has been upheld.

The plans were thrown out by Rother last year after the planning committee said the scheme was 'uncharacteristic' of the area.

But their decision has been overturned and protestors now feel it could set a dangerous precedent.

Brian Giles, of Pebsham Lane, who collected a petition against the plan, said: "It wasn't wanted. It will completely change the area and I am very angry.

"More worrying is the principal it will lay down. It could set a precedent where this sort of development becomes allowed all over Bexhill."

Rother councillor for the ward, Cllr Charles Clark, was similarly unimpressed with the inspector's decision,

"What's the point of having a planning committee if their opinions are just going to be ignored?" said Cllr Clark.

"It takes decision making away from local government and of course it sets a precedent. What's to stop developers targeting other homes in Pebsham? I shall be writing to residents and saying if they don't want the character of Pebsham to change then they shouldn't sell their homes."

Protestors against the scheme are already citing another appeal as developers taking advantage of the inspector's decision.

Plans for the demolition of one home in Chantry Lane and the building of ten houses and eight garages in its place have been submitted to the inspector's office having been originally refused by Rother.

Mr Giles says the appeal was made within days of the decision on the Pebsham Lane development being published.

In his report, the inspector says of the Pebsham development: "I do accept the character, appearance and residential amenities of the area will undergo some change as a result of the proposal, but if the Government's objective to make better use of urban land are to be achieved, it is inevitable that such change would occur."

Cliveden Properties declined to give the Observer a comment.