RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
On January 28th TGRA arranged for the Rye Neighbourhood plan to do a presentation of the plan at the Tilling Green Community Centre. Many at the meeting asked about the dispute between Sainsbury and Tesco to build a supermarket at the former Lower School site.
District Councillor Lord Ampthill explained that several parties were pressing for a solution.
The Steering Group is also seeking a solution and is prepared to consider all alternatives to trigger the development.
The disposal of disposal of the Tilling Green old school was also discussed.
Anthony Kimber explained the process, in which East Sussex County Council, owner of the site, was seeking a community partner and a developer to make a proposal for a community facility and a number of dwellings by February 14.
County Councillor Keith Glazier, gave a reassurance there would be continuity of service at the community centre until the arrangements for the replacement facility is opened, but he warned that the development would take time to complete.
Vice Chair of the Steering Group, Colonel Anthony Kimber summarised progress and the latest thinking about sites, housing and business development and infrastructure. He underscored the intention to enable the community to make a “strategic and coherent plan for Rye, of which our descendants would be content”.
In addition to housing – being considered by the Steering Group – there are four working groups tackling different themes: transport, business, infrastructure and environment. Mike Slavin of the last “popped up” to talk about proposals to start a Rye Energy company and asked for support for the venture. When asked about the involvement of young people, Anthony Kimber explained that he had approached Rye College and the School Studio to seek student involvement. Principals Ann Cockerham and Jo Townshend had agreed and details were being worked up.
Other issues raised related to the Valley Park development, the future of Freda Gardham and the Strand area of Rye.
Concerns raised will be added to the Rye Neighbourhood Plan website which can be found at www.ryeneighbourhoodplan.org.uk.
Chair Based Exercises
Every morning at the Tilling Green Community Centre a small friendly group enjoy doing chair based exercises with a qualified instructor. The exercises can help strengthen muscles, joints, improves balance, stability, improves posture, and confidence which can drive away depression.
If you are living with arthritis, osteoporosis, a heart condition, painful joints, breathing difficulties, or memory loss why not come along to the class Mondays at 10:30 to 11:15 followed by social time and free coffee.
Only £3 per session. Contact Daliea Redman on 07737350896
Marley Road Pumping Station
The emergency repair to the Marley Road Pumping Station is once again a cause for concern. The repair consists of an external flexible tube running from the surface water sump and up through an open window. From the window it is assumed it is attached to a temporary pump. Therefore since this emergency installation was installed in 2009, it must be assumed that it is reaching the end of its working life. The question is: How long does a temporary pump remain serviceable, before it needs replacing, and if it fails will Marley Road once again flood.
TGRA will be contacting the relevant agencies to get some answers.
Tilling Green Community Centre Redevelopment
The Tilling Green community site redevelopment discussion document; that has been produced independently by John Wylie, a local resident and hirer of the community centre is now producing feed back. This information together with other survey results gathered by TGRA is providing valuable research.
The general feeling is that the new development should not contain any flats, and that the new community centre should be designed to contain at least the same amount of usable internal space as the existing centre.
The discussion paper has now presented at two public meetings and has been circulated throughout the council offices in both Rye and East Sussex. The paper shows what sort of development could take place on the site i.e. from 37 to 52 houses or 36 to 48 flats and three different sizes of community centres.
The information in the site sales brochure states that the site is 0.92 hectares in size and is suitable for building between 10 and 27 houses: But the governments guide figure is that between 30 and 50 houses should be built per hectare; therefore a developer could make a case for increasing the number of houses on the site to meet the governments guide lines. (The average government figures for 2008 are 46 dwellings per hectare. The lowest is country areas at 16, and highest is Tower Hamlets at 254 per Hectare.)
The discussion paper; at the request of various groups is now being discussed in detail, so that the outcome can be presented to East Sussex County Council; prior to them making a decision on the site. The problem for the council is the fact if they make a decision that is against the public’s wishes, an objection can be lodged and the proposed development could well be come bogged down in a long drawn out planning consent process, requiring a full public hearing.
Rye’s Own March 2014
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