Early concept designs for new homes and a village green on London Road
As with all of the possible Housing Sites in the Hurst Green Neighbourhood Plan process, in 2019 landowners and developers were invited to put forward their concepts and ideas for consideration by the public and the Neighbourhood Plan Housing Group.
On the 17th of December 2020, the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group received a concept proposal for consideration from the landowners of the HG 22 site, which also includes the HG 43 site. The potential site on London Road lies opposite Hurst Green School, to the east of the A21 and is currently grass pasture land.
The site was first identified as a possibility for new housing in 2018 and is adjacent to the Hurst Green Development Boundary. The area like the entire parish, falls within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The landowner/developers originally proposed 40 new dwellings, set adjacent to a new public village green that is roughly the same size as the Moor in Hawkhurst. In May 2021, the landowner/developers advised the Parish Council that they had reduced their plans to 36 new dwellings The housing density shown is relatively low, the original concept plans showed a housing breakup consists of:
- 4 houses and 2 flats that have 1 bedroom.
- 7 houses and 4 flats that have 2 bedrooms
- 9 houses and 3 bungalows that have 3 bedrooms.
- 7 houses that have 4 bedrooms.
- 4 houses that have 5 bedrooms.
The plans show that the landowner/developers are proposing a new pedestrian crossing which would link the site to the pavement on the opposite side of the A21. The plans also show a new area of public woodland, which we understand may include some children’s public play equipment.
A new school drop off parking area is shown close to the pedestrian crossing. We understand this could be used by both the school and during the day for those visiting the green or walking the nearby public right of way that leads to Stage Field in Silver Hill. The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group have sent the received plans to the school for their comment.
Parking is shown as including 2.6 car parking spaces per home, with 24 spaces allocated for visitors and 10 spaces as part of the school drop off area.
Residents should note that while the site was identified as part of the call for sites process, that this or the receipt of this concept proposal from the landowner does not mean the site will be allocated for development. It is a technical exercise aimed at identifying potential sites and options for development. With public consultation, the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group and the Parish Council will then consider how best to take the plan forward. For more information on the stages, please see the milestones section of this website.
As these materials do not form part of a planning application, or the formal Neighbourhood Plan consultation, anyone with comments or thoughts to pass on to the landowner and their agents is warmly invited to contact a member of the neighbourhood plan Steering Group or any Hurst Green Parish Councillor.
You can review the concept materials as part of the Housing Documents section of this site.