A proposed housing development in Bexhill has been given the green light following the agreement of a suitable drainage strategy, overturning a June 2019 decision to refuse planning permission given the site’s proximity to Pevensey Levels SAC. There had been concern for the wellbeing of protected species on the site, including a rare species of snail, which depend upon a high water quality environment.
During the appeal in February, Rother District Council’s inspector Frances Mahoney – who had originally refused the application – said she was satisfied with the plans put forward by the consultancy firm Aspect Ecology, whose Ecology Director Alistair Baxter gave evidence at the appeal hearing.
The appeal noted the considerable preliminary work that had been undertaken between stakeholders, including Natural England, the Lead Local Flood Authority (East Sussex County Council), the Pevensey and Cuckmere Water Level Management Board and the Environment Agency.
The document also confirmed agreement of proposed measures within the drainage strategy, including “the provision of a multi-level SUDS treatment train” and “details of mitigation measures such as silt traps and clay liners, as well as additional information relating to management of the proposed enhanced SUDS41”.
The document said: “Confirmation was given that surface water runoff from all parts of the proposal would pass through the entirety of the proposed enhanced SUDS and three treatment stages.”
