The developer has now submitted a new application to the council to built three 3 stories houses on this plot of land on Newts way. The case went live this month on April 3rd 2025. (HS/OA/24/00806- Land south west of, Newts Way, St Leonards-on-sea)

In 2022 over 2100 people helped support our campaign to block planning permission for a development on Newts way in East Sussex by signing this petition

We won and the planning inspectorate rejected the developers appeal in September 2023. The local residents have had developers attempting to build on here since 2015 for over 10 years. 

If you want to us help again, it takes 3 minutes of your time.

Click on the link, enter your name and address and then click to comment

You can object or support the application and then leave a comment

https://publicaccess.hastings.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=_HSTBC_DCAPR_121979

Our petition is still open and active but the planning committee will mainly take into consideration comments on the official portal. You do not have to be from Hastings to leave an objection but its likely more weight will be given to local residents. Every comment will help. It will take just a few minutes

We have outlined in the past why we object to this land being developed on, here are some key points

1. This is an open green space which adds character to the area, supports the local wildlife providing them with a green link to the adjacent nature reserve.
2. The new development will overlook the playpark which is just 5 metres away, it will impact the safety and enjoyment for the local children who use the park.
3. A significant number of Hazel trees will be removed which create character to the existing landscape. This will result in a loss of green space and habitat for wildlife
4. The neighbours would be overlooked by this large 3 story development and have a loss of privacy to multiple homes.
5. The size, height and scale of this development would be overbearing, and out of character with the surrounding 2 story properties. Its new design is still inconsistent with the design of the other houses.
6. The area was not developed on previously as there was large storm drainage pipes directly below so its not suitable for development. The water company stated this in 2015
7. Traffic safety concerns with a new road being build on a blind bend next to a playpark.
8. The close proximity of the build to the large oak tree would result in a lack of light to the new property creating poor living standards for the potential new residents. This was one of the reasons the last appeal was rejected.
9. 210 houses were built further up the road on Darwell close last year by developing on an abandoned school site so the need for an extra 3 houses is not necessary to help with any local housing shortfalls.
10. The 1977 legal covenant stated this area should not be developed on and was kept undeveloped by the original developers to act as a natural buffer and keep valued green space in the area.
11. The new development has only a 1-2 metre rear private garden, the requirements by planning laws state properties need 10 metres of private garden space. This design does not meet this requirement.
12. The height of the new build would fail to respect the valley's natural topography and ruin views of Coombe Valley 
    Thank you for reading.

Your support helped us win in 2023. Any comments on the official council website would be helpful for this new application

Thank you

Sedges Residents , St Leonards , East Sussex

15th April 2025

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Below is the original details to petition when we appealed in 2022 and won

Objection to Newts Way Planning application- 2045 +have signed so far. 

The local residents of St Leonards (East Sussex) need your support to help object to 2 planning applications on Newts way. This development is 5 metres from the local playpark  

-Construction of four 4 story Townhouses- HS/FA/20/00959-Construction of a single 3 story home HS/FA/20/00715

• In November 2021, permission was refused by Hastings Borough Council with a vote of 6:4 rejecting the proposal. There were 33 objections from residents. 

The case went live on the 27th September and closes on the 1st November 2022.

You can leave an official comment now by clicking

Then click “make representation” ,Click “ interested party”, Then add your contact details,Then you can submit a comment an objection 

Why do local residents object to this planning application? 
• Multiple gardens & homes will lose privacy due to being overlooked, as the proposed property is 4 stories high (Potentially 40 foot or 2.5x double decker buses stacked up). 

• There is a 200-year-old protected oak tree 5 metres from the plot. The tree will continue to grow up to 170ft in width. It will struggle to thrive; the development will harm its health & longevity. It will have a negative impact on existing trees. 

• It will have a major impact on the safety and enjoyment of the playpark adjacent to the plot. The playground will be overlooked, making users of the park potentially feel uncomfortable. This will impinge upon residential amenity for residents.

• The construction will impact the safety on the children playing in the park. It is currently a quiet, safe place for children to enjoy. Construction traffic will make the playpark unusable & unsafe with heavy machinery, cranes & lorries going in & out.

• There will be a detrimental impact on neighbouring amenities with the loss of green space. The site provides a natural buffer and much needed green space between the different developments.
• The size, height, proximity and scale of the proposed development will be overbearing and harmful. The proposal will be inconsistent with the design and scale of surrounding buildings.
• This development will have a significant impact upon the neighbours’ enjoyment of their rear gardens & living spaces. The potential for overlooking and loss of privacy for residents of The Sedges, Rushmere Rise and Meadowsweet Close is alarming.
• The Architect has failed to demonstrate that a development is necessary, as there are already 200+ homes being built 300 metres up Darwell Close on the Grove school site. This site was previously developed, so was deemed suitable for re-development. 
• The building’s appearance is totally out of character with the other existing properties. The townhouses will have brightly coloured exterior frames with yellow, green and red window.
• There will be an increase in Traffic generation. The design only includes 4 parking spaces for 4 house which will provide inadequate parking spaces for the proposed development.
• The negative visual impact of the development - particularly on the surrounding landscape will block the views of the surrounding green space.
• There is a badger run adjacent to the site and there are potentially protected newts and dormice living in the area. The development will have a negative effect on nature conservation.
• There are storm tanks present under the ground which Southern Water has informed us of. These are vital for flood protection. This could create potential problems with surface water drainage and an unnecessary flood risk.
• There is a 1977 legal covenant between Hastings Borough Council and the previous developers (Try Homes) that states nothing should be built on this plot of land. It was meant to remain as a green space.
• During a June 2020 Ecology survey, most of the internal areas of the site were inaccessible due to the density of the scrub habitat and some areas could not be inspected. Railway work was halted recently when evidence of dormice was found.
• The previous newt report is unacceptable, as they could not obtain the relevant eDNA samples as the pond was dry in the summer. There is the potential for protected newt species to be present on this plot of land. 

You will also be able to comment on the planning inspectorate website once the case goes live 

visit https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/CaseSearch.aspx & search 3298210

Deadline to comment and object - 1st November 2022 ( expired)

Thank you for taking the time to read this petition 

From the residents of The Sedges, St Leonards 

July 2022

Lead petitioner: V.Ratheesh