Following the Regulation 16 consultation of the Hurst Green Neighbourhood Plan, conducted by Rother District Council, the examination of the plan has begun. This is a crucial milestone in shaping the future of our community, and focuses on ensuring the plan meets national requirements and aligns with local policies.

The independent examiner, John Slater, has been appointed to assess the plan by Rother District Council. Mr. Slater has previously examined other neighbourhood plans in Rother and the surrounding area. 

On 20th January 2025, Mr. Slater visited Hurst Green to familiarise himself with the parish and review key sites, including an accompanied visit to the proposed allocation site for approximately 3 to 4 dwellings near to the entrance of Iridge Place. This visit allowed the examiner to assess the parish, landscape, the proposed development area, and local green spaces.

Following his visit, Mr. Slater issued a series of questions for the Parish Council and to Rother District Council. These questions sought clarification on specific policies, site allocations, and representations made during the Regulation 16 consultation. Rother District Council and the Parish Council responded to these questions.

On the 28th March 2025, the Examiner published his report. Mr. Slater has recommended that the Hurst Green Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to a local referendum, subject to some modifications.

The examiner’s key recommendations include:

• Updating the development boundary to reflect the parish boundary.

• Reinstating two key housing sites on London Road as formal allocations that both already have planning permission.

• Streamlining some design and heritage policies to ensure they align with national planning guidance.

• Simplifying requirements around sustainable tourism and biodiversity, reflecting recent legal and policy changes.

We are grateful for the community’s ongoing engagement, and would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the examination process.

Article history: This news article was published in January 2025, and updated on the 14th February 2025, reflecting that the Parish Council had responded to Mr. Slater’s initial questions. The article was last updated  on the 28th March 2025, reflecting the publication of the examiner’s report.