Wealden District Core Strategy

The Examination in Public of the WDC core strategy has been completed, and we were generally pleased with the WDC approach. The Inspector has presented his interim findings which unfortunately bring forward the end date from 2030 to 2027, thus increasing the annual build rate, but we are pleased to see that he has (almost) ruled out building on AONB sites at Heathfield, a position that we adopted. It was interesting watching the antics of the developers and their expensive representatives who repeatedly, and unsuccessfully, pushed for the inclusion of their sites in the strategy, including (as expected) yet another push for Honey Farm, we assume that we now have a breathing space till 2027 before they start again.

The routine planning applications continue, with few sites where we feel any need to comment, if local members think that any proposal needs our comments please contact me.

Since 1 April all planning in the southern part of Wealden South is the responsibility of SDNPA and we hope that their website will function fully in the near future.