Wakeham’s Pond Field De-allocation report

I report that Jeff Pyrah is now the executive in charge of the development of Rother District Council’s (RDC) new Local Plan.

I have written to Rother’s chief executive and others pointing out that most people in the Fairlight area, Pett Level and downstream, wish to see the de-allocation of housing on Wakeham’s Pond Field as well as this being in RDC’s and the environment’s best interest.

RDC have already consulted on their new Local Plan with Parish Councils (I am informed that Fairlight PC have advised that they are in favour of de-allocation)  but are pushing the Public Consultation out from initially Jan 2023 then July 2023 to now Jan 2024.

This Consultation will be after Jeff Pyrah has conducted a review called “Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) when he will assess a large number of sites across the district for their ‘suitability’ and ‘availability’ under the Government set methodology which will include all of the current allocations.

He has confirmed he will consider my submission in his HELAA assessment that will be part of the draft Local Plan that goes before the Rother Planning Committee (who have already rejected unanimously the last Pond Field housing application) and onwards to be considered by a National Planning Inspector.

I am advised by my friend, a very experienced Local Planning Consultant, that the HELAA process involves a “call for sites” – that is, bids from landowners and developers for allocations – and all such bids are screened against a range of planning criteria. Although it is unusual that HELAA assessments de-allocate pre-existing allocations, in a situation like Wakeham’s Pond Field, with a National Planning Inspector ruling against the site only last year, it is possible that Jeff Pyrah may conclude that it would be a waste of time and RDC’s money to ask another National Planning Inspector to reconsider the issues all over again unless there is strong evidence that the reasons for refusal (upgrades to the system are required for the foul water flows from the development to be accommodated-para 49) have now been overcome, which everybody, including Southern Water, knows have not been. 

So my advice to people is to be patient, leave this process to unfold rather than pestering Jeff Pyrah at this stage, while our elected councillors, Tim Grohne and Andrew Mier,  who are both on the Rother planning committee with Andrew being its chairman, exercise their influence on our behalf.

Thank you for your support and do email  or call me with any queries. Lorne.finegolf@gmail.com  07803434283. 

Thank You – From Fairlight Open Gardens

Fairlight Open Gardens are delighted to announce an impressive £4248 was raised over the weekend earlier this month.

Over the next few days, 3 local charities, MOPP, Fairlight Playgroup & Nursery, and Community First Responders will each receive a cheque for £1400. The remaining £48 will be held to help start the 2025 Open Gardens project.

There are too many people to thank, but we must mention each and every one of the villagers who opened their gardens for this two-day event.

Special thanks, once again, to Ben and Sarah at  Just Property, for their continued sponsorship and to Olivier and Henry at The Cove for their support this year.

However, the biggest thanks must go to everyone who bought tickets for this event. We hope you enjoyed visiting some of the great gardens that Fairlight has hidden away, and that you had a wonderful weekend.   

Everyone at Fairlight Open Gardens looks forward to doing it all again, in 2025!

From Bob Scattergood

Suspicious Tradesman in Waites Lane

Dear Resident,

A man has been seen acting suspiciously in Waites Lane.

He approached a resident claiming that there was a missing tile on the roof. While in the garden he was seen lifting stones as if searching for a concealed key.

The police have been informed, ref 1101 06 97 2023

The man is white, local accent, age about 35, height about 5’ 10” (180 cm).

He was driving a small white van with no markings, but with a ladder on the roof.

While there may be an innocent explanation please don’t deal with cold callers who shoukd be reported to the police. Keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report any you see to the police.

Best wishes,

Andrew Mier

Fairlight Community Hub Committee Meeting (Faircomm)

Dear resident

Please find attached the agenda for the above meeting to be held on Thursday 13th July 2023 at 7pm in the Village Hall

All members of the public are welcome

Thanks
Pauline

Mrs P Collins
Proper Officer and Responsible Financial Officer
Fairlight Parish Council
Kerri, 35 Waites Lane, Fairlight, Hastings. TN35 4AX
Tel: 07487 822729  Email: fairlightparishcouncil@gmail.com

Agenda-13_07_23Download

Rother Voluntary Action event 14 July

Dear Resident,

This Rother Voluntary Action event is aimed at groups that provide activities, information, advice, guidance and support to residents.

Date 14 July

Online or in Bexhill

Cost: Free

The Future of Community Networks in Rother Tickets, Fri 14 Jul 2023 at 14:00 | Eventbrite

Best wishes,

Andrew

Cllr Andrew Mier
Southern Rother Ward
(The villages of Fairlight, Guestling, Icklesham and Pett)
Mistral, Shepherds Way, Fairlight TN35 4BB
01424-814178

Important- Dog Control Proposals in Rother – Consultation

Dear Resident,

Rother is consulting on proposals for dog controls across the district. The deadline for comments is Monday 31 July.

One proposal which may prove controversial is –

“Sports and Recreational Facilities”

We propose to ban dogs from sport and recreational facilities that are available in public open spaces, such as tennis courts, cricket, football and hockey pitches, gym equipment areas, BMX and skateboard areas in all of Rother. We have received complaints from football coaches that they have to “clean” football pitches before training or a match. Unfortunately, some dog owners don’t clean up after their dogs or don’t do so effectively. The exclusion would apply to football and cricket pitches when in use. The exclusion would only apply to the actual sports pitch or court and not the entire green area or ground.  Dogs would continue to have the same permissions to use the rest of the green space.”

I am not sure how this would affect shared recreational spaces such as Wood Field in Fairlight.

At Pett Level it is proposed to remove the restrictions on dogs on the beach.

To take part in the consultation please follow the link –

Have your say on changes to dog control

Best wishes,

Andrew

Free Hearing Aid Batteries & Maintenance

Local NHS Hearing Aid Maintenance sessions are being held this week at:

Pett Village Hall between 10am and 11.30am on Wednesday 5th July

Fairlight Village Hall between 10am and 12noon on Friday, 7th July

If you have an NHS Hearing Aid come along to collect your free batteries and have your aids checked, cleaned and retubed

Village People – Notes on Former Market Garden Site

Our efforts to engage with Authorities regarding the former Market Garden Building Site.
Dear Residents – we are a network of neighbours who live next to the building site or on the Site Access Route. 
As many of us are walkers we meet mostly outside or talk online via the ‘What’s Going On In Fairlight’ Facebook Page, where photos and videos of various concerns are posted: the badgers, wildlife area, stream, trees, inconsiderate parking, noise nuisance, reversing lorries, blocked driveways, etc. We’ve recently started a short monthly walkabout, where we view the Site and its impact from resident gardens to offer support.

In April 2023 we asked Rother District Council Planning Officers to provide an update to the high number of villagers who took the time to read the Construction Management Plan (CMP) and completed a Breach of Planning Condition Complaints Form. Rother Officers continue to receive “high levels of correspondence” about the Site. No written updates have been provided.
We also contacted the Neighbourhood Policing Team and were told that Officers had visited the Site in April. No updates have been provided. We’ve been informed Laura Harrison is the main PCSO contact for Fairlight Village. Her email is laura.harrison@sussex.pnn.police.uk

A lot of the Site issues fall under the banner of Community Safety. We sent a rep to the Fairlight Parish Council meeting in March and have visited the Drop-in Social Hub twice; however we are unclear as to how the Parish Council’s Five Year Plan regarding crime, neighbourhood watch or parking problems is being implemented.

It would be helpful for any Authorities who visit the Site to spend 15 minutes ‘face to face’ with residents. We’ve been contacted by residents in Fairlight Gardens, Broadway, Smugglers Way, Bramble Way, Lower Waites Lane, Shepherds Way and Waites Lane with issues about how the development impacts on their daily lives, e.g. noise levels, inability to use their gardens, and the resultant stress. We do not speak with one voice and have a wide range of different concerns.
Residents with concerns about the LWL stream, drainage or flooding issues can contact the Lower Waites Lane Road Maintenance Association Chairman 

lowerwaiteslane@gmail.com

Residents with issues about the builders can contact Piers Cowley, the Site Manager for GemSelect, on formermarketgarden@gmail.com or you can also email Gino at futuresouthhomes.ltd@gmail.com

If you need help reporting any issues about the site you can contact our Southern Rother District Councillors: Cllr Andrew Mier Cllr.Andrew.Mier@rother.gov.uk or the newly elected rep Cllr Tim Grohne cllr.Tim.Grohne@rother.gov.uk

Best wishes, Paul Wilson-Patterson – ‘Village People’, Bramble Way, Fairlight Cove.

FAIRLIGHT OPEN GARDENS

Continuing with the summer events in the village, next weekend sees the village residents opening their gardens for the ever-popular biannual Fairlight Open Gardens.For two days, Saturday and Sunday, July 1st & 2nd, between 11 am 

and 4 pm, 13 gardens will be open to walk around, relax in, eat, drink, and be merry!

Refreshments, including tea, coffee, cakes, savory snacks, ploughman’s lunches, hot dogs, homemade ice cream, and cold beers and wines are available at various gardens.

Plus of course, The Cove Pub and Restaurant will be open on both days from midday, with live music on Sunday.
There’s also the opportunity to buy local artwork, handmade jewelry, and even Funky Hen clothes.
Tickets, valid for all gardens on both days, are now available from The Village Stores and Garden Gems, plus at any of the gardens on the day, £8 per person, children free.
This event, kindly sponsored by Just Property, hopes to raise much-needed funds for local charities, including MOPP, Fairlight Playgroup and Nursery, and Community First Responders
.Here’s hoping the lovely summer weather continues, for what promises to be a wonderful weekend.

Former Market Garden Site Ongoing works

Dear Residents,

Works are progressing well on site.

The timber frame to plots 14,15 and 16 is complete with plumbing and electrical 1st fix well underway. The facia and soffit is ongoing and looking to start the felt and batten next week.

The dry lining has commenced in plots 6,5 and 4. and the roofing nearing completion.

Plot 11 substructure is ongoing however the retaining wall is a slow process as we can only cavity fill a small amount at a time otherwise we risk the wall ‘blowing’. Once the sub structure is complete we will block and beam with a view to starting the timber frames to 9,10 and 11 in  July.

Regards

Piers

 (formermarketgarden@gmail.com)

St Michaels Collection

St Michaels are pleased to be doing local collections next Tuesday 10am -12.
If you have things you would like to donate – just contact them on the number on the poster attached below to arrange a pick up slot and they will collect from your house.

Messy Church

Please see attached poster for the next Messy Church, Saturday 1st July.

Thanks and best wishes,
Sandi

Revd Sandi Wickens
Priest in Charge
Westfield, Guestling, and Fairlight
Telephone 07395 106514

Parish Council Planning Committee meeting – 27th June 2023

Dear resident, 

Please find attached the agenda for Parish Council Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday 27th June 2023 at 6pm in the Village Hall.

All members of the public are welcome to attend.

Thanks
Pauline

Mrs P Collins
Proper Officer and Responsible Financial Officer
Fairlight Parish CouncilKerri, 35 Waites Lane, Fairlight, Hastings. TN35 4AX
Tel: 07487 822729  Email: fairlightparishcouncil@gmail.com
Working days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 

Planning Agenda 27_06_23Download

Emmaus Fundraiser- Sunday 25 June 2023  2-6 pm

Hope you’d come along and support our effort to raise some financial help to Emmaus, a charity offering help to our local homeless !

It would definitely be a fun filled & fab afternoon 🎶💃🕺🤩😎

Thank you and look forward to your presence at this event.

We would also appreciate any donations, cakes etc and prizes for the raffle.

Christina

Fairlight Open Gardens 2023

FAIRLIGHT OPEN GARDENS 2023 July 1st & 2nd

Tickets for this 2-day event are now on sale at Fairlight Village Stores and Garden Gems Garden Centres. They will also be available at all gardens on the day.

The tickets, including the village map, are £8 per person (children free) and are valid for both days and all gardens.

Refreshments, ranging from Tea/Coffee/Beers & Wines/Home Made Ice Cream/Ploughmans & Hot Dogs are available at various gardens.

Let’s hope the summer weather continues so we can all enjoy this wonderful weekend.

Parish Council Committee Meetings 13/06/23

Dear resident

Please note that both the Planning Committee and Finance and Administration Committee meetings due to be held on Tuesday 13th June at 2.30pm onwards have been cancelled.

Thanks
Pauline

Mrs P Collins
Proper Officer and Responsible Financial Officer
Fairlight Parish CouncilKerri, 35 Waites Lane, Fairlight, Hastings. TN35 4AX
Tel: 07487 822729  Email: fairlightparishcouncil@gmail.com
Working days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 

Anniversary Help!

In order to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of Pett Methodist Church, the church is organising a special weekend of art and flowers. Saturday & Sunday 17th & 18th June. There will be refreshments: tea/coffee & cakes, homemade soup and a Bring & Share lunch on the Sunday after the service, (normal time of 10.45am). Our special service on Sunday will be led by Rev Dawn Carn.

We want to make sure that all our members and friends are aware of the event and know that they are invited. 

If anyone is able to help in any way then that help will be very much appreciated. Cakes are definitely needed, as are stewards, refreshment servers and Welcomers with friendly faces! Raffle prizes are also needed for the Saturday Raffle.

Offers of help, please, to Wendy Hatch familyhatch1@gmail.com

As well as the art & flowers, the Archive Resource Centre will be putting on a historical display and The Kytes will be singing unplugged on Sunday afternoon.

Please spread the word.

Thanks

Wendy Hatch

Fairlight Open Gardens

Once again, village residents will be opening their gardens for the ever-popular biannual Fairlight Open Gardens for two days, Saturday and Sunday, July 1st & 2nd.  

This event, kindly sponsored by Just Property, hopes to raise much-needed funds for local charities, including MOPP, Fairlight Playgroup and Nursery, and Community First Responders.  

Tickets, valid for all gardens on both days, will be available from next weekend at The Village Stores and Garden Gems, plus at any of the gardens on the day. £8 per person, children free.

Refreshments, including tea, coffee, cakes, savory snack, ploughman’s lunches, and cold beer and wines are available at various gardens. Plus of course, The Cove Pub and Restaurant will be open on both days from midday. 

Here’s hoping for some lovely summer weather! 

Free hearing aid batteries & Maintenance

FREE HEARING AID BATTERIES & FREE MAINTENANCE

A local NHS Hearing Aid Maintenance session is being held this week at:

Fairlight Village Hall between 10am and 12noon on Friday, 2nd June

If you have an NHS Hearing Aid come along to collect your free batteries and have your aids checked over, cleaned and retubed

PLEASE NOTE CANCELLATION BELOW

Unfortunately next week’s session scheduled for Pett Village Hall on Wednesday 7th June has had to be cancelled

For further information please call East Sussex Hearing on 01323 722505

From: Robert Pasterfield