A New Era.
What This Could Mean for Rye: A New Era of Housing, Community, and Green Spaces
As Rye grows and evolves, the need for housing and accessible community spaces will be more urgent. Martello Developments, alongside local stakeholders and residents, is working on a series of housing projects that could transform multiple areas around Rye. This will include the provision of much needed affordable housing, something that hasn’t been delivered in Rye for around ten years.
But beyond the buildings, what could these developments really mean for Rye?
A Balanced Approach to Housing and Community Needs
With plans for over 140 new homes spread across several sites, Martello’s proposals aim to serve a wide range of housing needs. Homes will be designed for first-time buyers, families, downsizers, and those seeking affordable or social housing.
This balanced approach means that younger people, growing families, and residents struggling to find affordable options will now have more opportunities to stay in Rye.
In addition to homes, these projects will integrate open green spaces, community areas, and new amenities. The Tilling Green site is not just about housing but also includes the refurbishment of the Tilling Green Community Centre.
Protecting Rye’s Character with Sustainable Development
One of the guiding principles of these developments is to balance growth with Rye’s unique character and natural landscape. Martello’s proposal for the Harbour Road site plans to preserve over 90% of the land as a dedicated nature reserve.
Currently the site is fenced off and not accessible to the public, these proposals would give access to 90% of this land in the form of a nature reserve. By donating this land to the Town Council in perpetuity it will secure the Strategic Gap as the council will be able to ensure that no further development can take place.
Securing the land as a nature reserve in perpetuity will give meaning and function to the current fields, creating a haven for the community and wildlife which will also provide a biodiversity gain that is likely to be significantly higher than the 10% requirement. This gap between Rye and Rye Harbour will be strengthened and improved with significant landscape enhancements.
The Rock Channel site plans include large landscaped areas and a new riverside walkway, creating more accessible public spaces along the river and further boosting local biodiversity.
A Vision for Rye’s Future
These projects represent a vision for Rye’s future that includes sustainable growth, community spaces, and green areas that protect the town’s natural beauty. This vision, crafted in close collaboration with local councils, planners, and community members, could mean a more accessible, inclusive Rye for generations to come.
These proposals reflect the best of what modern development can offer: thoughtfully designed housing, valuable amenities, preserved green spaces, and a continued commitment to local culture and the arts.
Rye can look forward to a future that values both progress and preservation, creating a more vibrant, resilient community for everyone. By supporting these developments, Rye has an opportunity to create a legacy of thoughtful growth—one that enhances the town’s character while providing a foundation for future generations.
Supporting Local Arts and Businesses
A town’s vibrancy comes from the people who live, work, and create there. Rye’s strong creative community will find continued support in these plans, particularly through the relocation of the Rye Creative Centre’s artists to new, purpose built site at Harbour Road.
This will offer local artists upgraded studios, keeping their workspaces close to the heart of Rye’s community and ensuring that the arts remain a central part of the town’s cultural fabric. Martello’s plans will support local businesses and bringing services closer to residents.
This focus on mixed-use spaces will benefit Rye’s economy by encouraging more local shopping and increasing foot traffic, creating a positive ripple effect across the community.
Building with the Community
A crucial factor for long-term success is extensive community engagement. Through listening to, engaging with and learning from you can bring the community together behind solutions that benefit everyone. Our commitment to you will be to engage transparently and to ensure that community voices are central to every decision, resulting in developments that reflect local needs and preserve the town’s character.
Discover our sites.
Freda Gardham School Site
The Freda Gardham site is an ideal location and one of very few allocated sites for new housing in Rye and is recognised as such in both the Rye Neighbourhood Plan and the Rother District Council Local Plan.
Once home to the Freda Gardham School it is now known as the Rye Creative Centre and has been re-purposed to provide studios, a gallery and event spaces. After leasing the site, Martello invested back into the property to upgrade the gym and bring the building back to code.
Sadly the building has now become structurally unsuitable, even though Martello has invested a considerable amount of money to keep it functioning in recent years, and it is unfit for long term purpose. Rother District Council, as the Local Planning Authority, has agreed to consider the project through a Planning Performance Agreement. This will facilitate an efficient review and feedback process so that Martello can ensure that Rye benefits from much needed new housing and open space with a retail/commercial offering.
Martello’s Vision for the Site
Around 50 new homes can be designed on the site. These homes will be able to cater for the diverse housing needs in Rye. The proposed housing will include 1-bedroom maisonettes, 2-bedroom apartments, and 2, 3, 4, and 5 bedroom houses, with options to suit single people, families, and downsizers alike.
A retail and commercial unit is also planned to face North Road, with flats above, creating a convenient blend of residential and commercial space. Access to the site would be made easier with a new road for both vehicles and pedestrians, while the existing access would remain open for pedestrians.
Each home will come with dedicated off-street parking, and additional unallocated parking bays will be available for visitors, ensuring ample parking without encroaching on nearby streets.
Preserving Rye’s Creative Hub
We recognise the importance of the Rye Creative Centre and understand community concerns regarding its future. Rye residents have highlighted the value of keeping a creative space.
Martello is actively exploring options for alternative accommodations within one of the other proposed development sites to ensure that Rye’s creative community continues to thrive.
Take a closer look at Freda Gardham
Rock Channel
Rock Channel sits at the southern edge of an industrial estate on low-lying land beside the River Brede. Currently, the site is what is known as a Brownfield Site which is designated for residential development in both the Rye Neighbourhood Plan and the Rother District Council Local Plan. The site is accessible via St Margaret’s Terrace/Rock Channel Quay, just off the main A259.
It is bordered by an industrial estate to the north, commercial and industrial buildings to the east, residential homes to the west, and the River Brede and its boat moorings to the south. The site falls within Rye’s settlement boundary and, though in Flood Zone 3 it benefits from flood defences on its western and southern edges.
Rock Channel sits outside of the Rye Conservation Area but is an important part of the setting of the citadel. The emerging design seeks to celebrate the maritime heritage of the area, rooting itself in local context. It will also provide some public open and landscaped space as well as a riverside walk that will join up with the King Charles III pathway that has been left uncompleted.
Out with the old and in with the new
Residents may recall an earlier, ambitious planning application for this site, which included plans for a cultural and arts centre, riverside restaurant, and residential units. Unfortunately, the impact of Covid led to significantly increased construction costs and alongside some objections from statutory consultees it meant that the scheme couldn’t be delivered because of viability concerns.
This new proposal, however, builds on that vision with a focus on high-quality residential development that integrates residential use, green space, and improved accessibility.
The proposed development will feature 24 new homes with a mix that includes nine 2-bedroom apartments, one 2-bedroom house, and fourteen 3-bedroom houses with off street parking provided under each property.
Improved access from St Margaret’s Terrace/Rock Channel Quay will also be provided, making the site more accessible and enhancing the overall area.
Collaborative Efforts for a Successful Project
Developing Rock Channel will involve overcoming several key challenges, including addressing flood defence requirements, potential land contamination, and enhancing the Public Realm. Martello is committed to integrating sustainable solutions, such as extensive soft landscaping and green space that will not only enhance biodiversity but also provide valuable amenity spaces for residents and visitors alike.
A new riverside walkway is also part of the proposal, extending the King Charles III walkway recently constructed at Bridge Point. This riverside path aims to create a scenic, accessible route along the river, adding both a recreational asset and a connection to Rye’s broader network of pedestrian spaces.
The architectural design of these new homes will respect the unique riverside character of the area and draw inspiration from the historic vernacular of nearby Rye Conservation Area. This project is an opportunity to bring new life to the Rock Channel site while maintaining the character and natural appeal of Rye’s riverside.
We invite you to review the details and share your thoughts as we work towards a balanced, sustainable development that serves both current and future Rye residents.
Take a closer look at Rock Channel
Harbour Road
Harbour Road is an area of open land between Rye town and Rye Harbour. Maintaining this gap is a fundamental part of the scheme- preserving 90% of the land as a new nature reserve for Rye, whilst providing a range of new homes (including affordable housing) to meet a very acute local need. It will also provide a new arts centre for the current tenants of the Rye Creative Centre. The Gap will be maintained and enhanced through biodiversity and landscape enhancements for the benefit of the whole community.
Transforming an Underutilised Area for much needed Housing
For too long this land has been inaccessible to the public, previously occupied by dilapidated houseboats and caravans. Martello has started to clear and clean the site, removing abandoned vehicles, moving on illegal dwellers, dealing with the flytipping that occurred here and improving its overall appearance.
We now see a future where this land provides both housing and public green space, turning an unused area into a vibrant community asset.
Preserving Over 90% as Nature Reserve
Under the current proposal, over 90% of the site will be designated as a nature reserve. This green space would be donated in perpetuity to the community, ensuring the strategic gap between Rye and Rye Harbour remains intact and publicly accessible.
This reserve would offer an open, natural environment where residents and visitors can enjoy the beauty of the landscape while safeguarding it from further development.
Supporting Rye’s Creative Community and Providing New Housing
To support the local arts community, Martello hopes to include three new commercial units specifically designed to accommodate artists from the Rye Creative Centre. These modern spaces will provide artists with an upgraded, fit-for-purpose facility to continue their work within the community.
Since this is not an allocated site under the Rye Neighbourhood Plan, any residential development must comply with specific housing policies. Martello’s plan includes 40% social and affordable housing—a vital addition for those in need of accessible housing.
In total, the proposal includes around 45 homes , with a thoughtfully balanced mix of 19 apartments, 8 two-bedroom houses, 10 three-bedroom houses, and 8 four-bedroom houses arranged in a “ribbon” layout along the river’s curve. This layout minimises the housing footprint while maximising access to views and natural surroundings.
Creating a Lasting Community Asset
With its nature reserve open year-round, this project would not only maintain the green buffer but also provide a meaningful biodiversity net gain. Families and visitors would benefit from expansive, accessible green space, perfect for recreation and relaxation.
Additionally, this new reserve would be preserved as a community asset for generations to come, thanks to the land's dedication in perpetuity to the community.
By transforming an unused private site into a resource for public enjoyment and essential housing, Martello hopes to contribute to a sustainable and inclusive future for Rye, balancing growth with the preservation of its cherished open spaces.
Take a closer look at Harbour Road
Tilling Green
Tilling Green is an open green space located just south of the Tilling Green Community Centre, Mason Road. The area is predominantly made up of maintained grass, with mature trees and hedgerows. Surrounded by rows of 1 and 2 storey homes to the south and west, Tilling Green sits at the heart of a primarily residential neighbourhood.
Tilling Green has been designated for housing development under Policy H3 of the Rye Neighbourhood Plan.
Collaborative Efforts for a Successful Project
Previous attempts to develop this site have faced many challenges, but Martello hopes to work collaboratively with others to finally bring this essential housing forward. There are complications due to the ownership of the land so this will be conditional on being able to work through those with the various stakeholders.
Together, we hope to create a sustainable and well-integrated community space that meets the growing needs of Rye's residents while preserving the character and green spaces that make Tilling Green such a valued part of the town.
Proposed Devlopment and Community Enhancements
Martello's proposal for Tilling Green aspires to see the creation of 21 new homes, offering a mix of 1, 2, and 3 bedroom properties to meet Rye's local housing needs.
The development plan includes off-street parking, providing each home with at least one parking spot. The architectural design will reflect the style and materials of the surrounding neighbourhood, ensuring that it fits right in.
Each home will have outdoor amenity spaces, and the layout will allow for improved communal areas that benefit both existing and future residents.
The Tilling Green Community Centre could be modernised and better serve the community's needs as part of this scheme.
Take a closer look at Tilling Green
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