A planning inspector has ruled Rother District Council was wrong to reject plans to create a new enterprise park, which could support up to 500 local jobs.
The counil’s planning committee refused planning permission in October 2019 for an application for a business development on the Bexhill Enterprise Park.
Developer Westcott Leach originally proposed a set of light industrial units covering around 84,000 sq ft of floor space, with associated parking and landscaping.
Sea Change Sussex– the not-for-profit economic development company which owns the land – had proposed to develop a supporting access road and provide the necessary utilities.
Sea Change Sussex had already obtained outline planning permission for the scheme in May 2018.
Sea Change Sussex and Westcott Leach lodged five appeals against the council’s actions.
The inspector found in favour of Wescott Leach and Sea Change Sussex on all counts.
The inspector also awarded costs to Westcott Leach and Sea Change Sussex – which are likely to run to a six-figure sum – in relation to all appeals brought by the developers.
Sea Change Sussex and Westcott Leach expressed gratitude for the ‘clear and decisive guidance provided by the Inspector in her decision’.
They stated: ‘While it’s regrettable that the benefits of the scheme have been delayed by over 26 months – despite our repeated efforts to resolve the issues prior to the planning committee decision and the costly appeal process – we remain committed to delivery of the scheme and hope to start construction as soon as possible.’
The Bexhill Chamber of Commerce supported the appeal against the planning decision. Chamber president Howard Martin said: ‘The appeal outcome is important for all businesses in the area. The planning processes at Rother District Council have been moribund for far too long and have blocked investment at all levels in our community – both domestic and business.
‘We’re pleased Sea Change Sussex and Westcott Leach committed their resources and expertise into fighting the case, hopefully to make the planning processes quicker and more effective for everyone.’
A Rother District Council spokesman said: ‘We note the inspector’s decision and will be working through the matter with the applicant.’
Photo Credit – Supplied