Village homes plan in Barcombe recommended to get the go-ahead

The 0.55-hectare site at Bridgelands is located outside the settlement boundary and adjacent to the Conservation Area.

Barcombe Parish Council has no objection to the scheme but has raised concerns about over-development of the site, failure to reflect the results of the Barcombe Housing Survey and safety concerns regarding traffic joining the main road from Bridgelands.

Seven objections from local residents have been received by Lewes District Council, on grounds including impact on surrounding drainage, it not being a brownfield site, intrusion on the countryside, poor access and the impact of increased traffic on children’s safety.

A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal was undertaken this year, with artificial refugia set up on site before the survey. Two species of reptile (slow worm and grass snake) were found to be present.

Therefore reptile fencing would be erected to allow the site to be cleared of the creatures and relocation to a suitable receptor site. Log piles and wild flower planting have been recommended on the site to encourage relocation of species back there post construction.

An assessment was also made for Great Crested Newts and concluded there were none present.

The scheme will be discussed by the district council’s Planning Applications Committee on Wednesday (November 21). Officers have recommended that outline planning permission be granted, subject to conditions.