Plans for 140 new homes revealed

This article was originally published on RyeNews.org.uk.

Proposals to build around 140 new homes on four sites in Rye have been unveiled by Martello Developments. The multi-million pound plans, which are yet to be officially submitted, include a range of different sized homes and building on a new site between the town boundary and Rye Harbour, which is likely to prove very controversial.

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At least 30% of the new homes will be affordable / social housing say developers. Martello say they expect planning restrictions to prevent any of the new homes being used as Airbnbs.

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A new base for Rye Creative Centre and refurbishing the Tilling Green Community Centre also feature in the proposals.

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Representatives from Martello explained their plans for the new homes at a meeting at the George on Tuesday November 26, with further events planned for the new year.

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The proposals are unlikely to be put forward to planners at Rother District Council until early summer next year, with work not expected to start before 2026 if approved.

Three of the four sites are already allocated to housing in the Rye Neighbourhood Plan. The latest plans suggest 30% of the new homes will be affordable at each of the three sites.

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At Tilling Green, 21 new homes are planned (4 one-bedroom, 7 two-bedroom and 10 three-bedroom) for the green space next to the Community Centre. The Centre will be also be refurbished by the developers. The land is owned by East Sussex County Council (ESCC)/Rye Partnership.

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The brownfield site at Rock Channel has a mix of 14 three-bedroom, 1 two-bedroom house, and 9 one-bedroom apartments in the proposals. A total of 24 new builds. A new riverside walk is planned on land already owned by Martello.

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The Freda Gardham School site, currently home to Rye Creative Centre and RX Architects, will see a completely new layout with the current buildings demolished. Instead, there will be 10 two-bedroom, 16 three-bedroom, 6 four-bedroom, and 3 five-bedroom homes and 12 two-bedroom apartments – totalling 47 new homes. The land currently allocated for a new petrol station on New Road will see commercial development if the plans are approved. Martello currently lease the site from ESCC.

The fourth site, on Harbour Road, is currently not identified as a space for development. Not only will it face scrutiny because the high flood risk, it is also on land the Rye Neighbourhood Plan describes as the “strategic gap” between Rye and Rye Harbour. The Plan states development should be resisted, with proposals needing to demonstrate that all alternative sites around Rye have been exhausted. Monday’s Planning Committee meeting at Rye Town Council agreed to support keeping this area free of development.

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The proposals are for the land next to the river beyond the Jehovah’s Witness Chapel, and include 45 new homes made up of 8 two-bedroom, 10 three-bedroom, and 8 four-bedroom houses along with 19 two-bedroom apartments. 30 art studios are planned in what could be a new home for Rye Creative Centre. A new nature reserve is also included in the proposals. 40% of the new homes will be affordable / social on the Harbour Road site say Martello.

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“We will do this right for Rye,” said Alex Cheneviere, Martello’s Chief Strategy Officer. “This is four sites consolidated under one vision. It’s flexible with community benefits. When you are building in the town you live in, you do it responsibly.”

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He denied the proposals would see a strain on local resources. “There is a huge housing shortage in Rye. The housing list is incredibly high, these plans go some way to addressing that problem. As part of the consultation process I hope local people will suggest how the Community Infrastructure Levy that we will pay should be used to support the local area."

The developers are confident the new homes will not be used for Airbnbs according to planning consultant Molly McLean. “The current rules are that new homes need planning permission to be reclassified as Airbnb or holiday lets. There’s no way that change of use would be approved and the new government is looking at further restrictions.” Rye Town Council has suggested there are over 400 Airbnbs in Rye.

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Martello say they are keen to engage with the local community to discuss their plans. In an acknowledgement that they have learnt from the Ferry Road and Winchelsea Road proposals a spokesperson for Martello said they wanted to hear a wide range of views before submitting the plans officially. “Developers often consult at the last minute. Martello want to do it differently.” Briefings have already been held with Rother District Council and Rye Town Council.

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The buildings on all four sites are being designed by local architects RX. Rob Pollard from the firm, which hopes to move to Grist Mill on Winchelsea Road, said the plans had been inspired by local building. “There’s a link to what you can see now on the Strand in our designs. It’s not just about homes, these proposals could also see a new arts quarter on the Harbour Road, alongside a new nature reserve.”

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Rother District Councillor Simon McGurk attended the meeting, along with representatives from local businesses and the media. He said he was cautiously optimistic about the new plans. “I’m waiting to see the detailed proposals when they are submitted, but Rye urgently needs new housing and there’s a good mix of social / affordable homes here.”

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A further meeting is taking place with artists from Rye Creative Centre on Friday November 29.

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A new website with all the plans is expected to go live later in December.

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Image Credits: RX Architects/Martello , Martello/RX Architects , James Stewart