'Child concerns' over flats plan

The chairman of governors at St Peter and St Paul School, in Buckhurst Road, has asked Rother councillors to reject plans for the demolition of Hollenden House and the building of 71 flats because windows and balconies would face the primary school, overlooking its playing field and swimming pool.

The plans would see the now derelict former servicemen's home knocked down and replaced with 43 private and 28 affordable homes.

The council has also received letters of complaint over increased traffic and the disruption of other resident's views of the coast.

Members will be asked by officers to defer the plans.

Chief planning officer Frank Rallings will tell members in his report he is happy with the development in principle, but amended plans should be submitted addressing some of the concerns over the site boundaries.

He said: "In this case relationships with adjoining properties are relevant. How much development that might be accommodated on the site, and in what form, is constrained by the existence of adjoining properties.

"Few development sites exist in isolation, unconstrained. That said, adjoining occupiers cannot expect no change and - while I acknowledge the long views to Baechy Head from the Rayford Court flats - the wholesale protection of such views is not a reason to oppose this scheme.

"Also of concern to the school authorities are the facing windows and balconies on the rear elevation of the rearward block of flats. Unlike the initial proposal the final scheme brings the building to within three metres of the playing field boundary with the balconies even closer (albeit those on the lower floors are below the playing field level). The main aspect of many rooms will be northwards over the school.

"In any reasonable development of this site some overlooking will occur - schools historically are never self contained units immune from some intrusion - but it is the close proximity of the buildings which gives serious concerns here."