WD/2015/0090/MAO - ARCHAEOLOGY

 

 

 

 

Downhill all the way to the well that serves the public

 

WATER - Contamination and flooding issues dog this application to rape the English countryside for profit driven motives. The developers propose tearing up this pleasant field despite the fact that they are likely to be guilty of contaminating the only working well in the village of Herstmonceux. Should that happen, all of those in the chain could be convicted of conspiring to cause groundwater pollution, where they could have prevented such crimes. We wonder what the council's insurers will make of it. Is it possible to get insurance against irresponsible planning decisions?

 

 

WD/2015/0090/MAO - CONDITION 4 - ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCHEME APPROVAL

 

4. No development shall take place until the developer has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work, in accordance with a Written Scheme of Archaeological Investigation which has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. AR01

REASON: To ensure that the archaeological and historical interest of the site is safeguarded and recorded in accordance with the requirements of SPO2, SPO13 and Policy WCS14 of the Wealden Core Strategy Local Plan 2013 and Paragraphs 129, 131 and 132 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2012. With regard to Regulation 35 of the Development Management Procedure Order 2015, it is essential to enable any items of historical or archaeological deposits and features which would be disturbed during the proposed works to be adequately recorded, that the condition adopts the precommencement format to protect heritage assets.

 

 


HERSTMONCEUX MUSEUM LTD

 

 

F.A.O. Casper Johnson MCIfA FRSA FSA                                                        TRACKED POST
The County Archaeologist
County Hall
St Anne’s Crescent
Lewes, BN7 1UE                                                                                                       12 July 2018 


Dear Mr Johnson,

 

 

LAND ADJACENT TO LIME CROSS RECREATIONAL GROUND
BN27 4SX - WD/2015/0090/MAO

 

 

Please find enclosed copy of our letters to Southern Water and Graham Kean (countryside engineer) of Wealden District Council, both dated 12 /07/18.

We wonder if Wealden mentioned to you that the ancient well was partially fed from groundwater in the adjacent field? This would mean contamination of our drinking water and potential destruction of a perfectly useable water source – and of course loss of opportunity for any revenue stream from that facility to generate funds for the upkeep of the historic asset.

We are sure that you will know that the ‘National Planning Policy Framework’ says that local authorities have a duty to protect historic assets in connection with planning proposals, of which the well is part of the generating complex in Lime Park and a feature that has provided sustainable water supplies to all in this location for many years. Reference Section 12 Paragraphs 128 & 129 of the Framework, with especial reference to Paragraphs 196 & 197 (Determining Applications) where the Framework is a Material Consideration.

We note the content of your correspondence from 2015, but are more concerned at the content of your letter to Wealden (Ben Stephenson) dated April 5 2018. Does the “trial trenching” mentioned encompass evaluating ground contamination from pesticides and herbicides that will surely enter the ancient well, unless a scheme to prevent that is agreed, and with ourselves, being the affected third party?

If we do not receive any reply advising that you had been informed as to the above within the next fourteen days we will assume that Wealden District Council did not so advise of the impending contamination and intend using the content of this letter for all purposes in connection with seeking correction and securing of this historic (sustainable) water supply.

We look forward to your reply and thank you in anticipation for your cooperation.

Yours sincerely,



for Herstmonceux Museum Ltd 

 

 

 

DIG - Archaeologists dug up the field noting a number of finds, seen here denoted by red and white tape. The multiple trenches were typically less than a meter in depth.

 


HERSTMONCEUX MUSEUM LTD

 


F.A.O. Graham Kean                                                                                                TRACKED POST
Engineer & Countryside Officer
Wealden District Council
Vicarage Lane
Hailsham, BN27 2AX
                                                                                                                                    12 July 2018

Dear Mr Kean,

 

ANCIENT WELL & SUSTAINABLE WATER SUPPLIES

 

We write with reference to the Memorandum dated May 12 2015, in relation to the proposed development at land adjacent to Lime Cross Recreation Ground, reference number: WD/2015/0090/MAO.

In this Memorandum you make mention of a Counsel’s opinion and drainage onto third party land. We are concerned as to ground water drain off into from the slop adjacent to and above the ancient well that a number of organisations rely on for drinking water, as they have for many years.

We can see no reference to contamination of this well, though there are references to contamination of ponds and watercourses belonging to other ‘third parties.’

We wonder if the opinions that your Council obtained in relation to this planning application included any guidance on how to prevent the contamination of the ancient well from herbicides and pesticides that householders would be bound to employ in connection with their gardening and other domestic usage?

We would also ask you to confirm that it is usual to obtain legal advice external to your Council in relation to planning applications of this kind?

With the deadline fast approaching for lapse of this permission, could we ask that you treat this request for clarification as one of extreme urgency, requiring a reply within the next 14 days.

If we do not receive any reply within this time we will assume that your Council did not obtain advice in relation to the ancient well and/or the contamination that would arise as a result of the proposed development, and may rely on the content of this letter for all purposes in connection with seeking correction and securing of this sustainable water supply.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Yours sincerely,



for Herstmonceux Museum Ltd 

 

 

Original electricity generating buildings in Lime Park

 

WOOD IS GOOD - These 100+ year old timbers have been preserved for generations to come. They have been liberally soaked in preservatives over 4 years then over-boarded with insulation between layers to save heating costs associated with the upkeep of the Museum. The roof is now protected by slate and the windows repaired with double glazed units. As a building material wood locks up carbon and is a renewable resource. The fact that this building was constructed around 1909 demonstrates that if looked after that can last. In 1909 they did not have the wood preservatives that we have today. They did not have tantalized wood for frames and boarding.

 

 

LATIMER, THAKEHAM, CLARION (GROUP) - LIST OF PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT

 

Peter Rawlinson - Gleeson Strategic Land

Ben Rainbow - Arboricultural & Biodiversity Officer

Steve Tuhey - Managing Director, Thakeham Client

Richard White, Director of Land and Planning at Latimer & Clarion Housing Group

 

LATIMER DEVELOPMENTS - Previously: William Sutton Developments Limited

 

Christopher John Hatfield

Ruth Margaret Cooke

David Simon Fordham

Austen Barry Reid

Rupert Owen Sebag-Montefiore

Mark Christopher Rogers

David Anthony Lewis

Michelle Reynolds

 

Southern Water - Nick Claxton Team Manager – Flood Risk Management & Revai Kinsella, Principal Drainage Officer

.

 

 

WD/2015/0090/ HERSTMONCEUX VILLAGE CONDITIONS A - Z INDEX

 

 -  Conditions Index A - Z
1. Permission subject to detailed particulars
2. Appearance & Landscape

3. Application for reserved matters in 3 years

4. No dev. without archaeological programme

5. No dev. until written scheme 4. published

6. Contamination to be reported subsequently

7. Details code of construction TB approved

8. Temporary contractor provisions

 9.  Noise restrictions working hours

10. Details brickwork finishes
11. Joinery details, windows, doors

12. Details hard & soft landscaping

13. Details screening, trees, hedges

14. Planting trees Chapel Row, Museum

15. Landscape management plan

16. Wildlife management details

17. Japanese Knotweed survey

18. Access prior to building works

19. Visibility splays entrance A271

20. Internal site access roads

21. Car parking details

22. Garages no commercial use

23. No felling trees hedgerows

24. Tree protection existing TPO

25. Bins refuse collection & disposal

26. Foul drainage sewerage works

27. Surface water drainage

28. No discharges foul water

29. Flood resilient buildings

30. Surface water drainage

31. Light pollution AONB

32  Renewable energy

33. No permitted dev buildings

34. No permitted gates/fences

36. Limited to included docs

 

 

NPPF - NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK A - Z INDEX

 

 

 

 

JCB caterpillar tracked digger

 

JCB - We've no idea who this chap is, but he was very good. The operator is seen here filling in a trench where a fire was noted, once again at a depth of less than one meter below the topsoil. JCB built a world record land speed record car using multiples of their diesel engines. The founder of the company started with a simple stick arc welder. In the background you can see the historic well and generating buildings.

 

 

HERSTMONCEUX ACTION GROUP

 

There has never been an action group representing the interests of so many residents in this peaceful Sussex backwater. To date, planning battles have been contained, such that local people were content to let neighbours object to smaller residential developments.

 

This all changed when a former estate agent was seen surveying Lime Cross and speaking to neighbours about his intention (or the intention of family members) to apply for planning consent for upwards of 70 houses, where for many years Wealden District Council and the Parish Council have been saying there should be no development. Then an opportunity for a windfall £17 million pounds reared its head. We think it speaks mountains that the Parish Council simply redrew the development boundaries to accommodate such a development. It's a 'U' turn with money at the root of the deal. Who then stands to profit. Not the villagers who are all opposed to the plan. The villagers do not want 140 extra houses in Herstmonceux, and that is what will happen if 70 additional houses are built on the field at Lime Cross. We'd like to see some new faces on the Parish Council. Some people who will truly represent the wishes of the people.

 

 

WD/2015/0090/MAO - GLEESON DEVELOPMENTS LTD

 

This application is not only contrary to Wealden's Local Plan, but is considered by many to be downright dangerous. The A271 is a narrow country road that is already overloaded - with many traffic jams in the village high street causing motorists serious delays on occasion. The increase in traffic from a dense residential development at this location is nothing short of madness.

 

 

Proposed entrance to Lime Cross for access to 70 new houses. The A271 is already a busy road. What is not clear from this plan is that the entrance shown in red is just a few yards away from a sign telling people to slow down. That sign is half way up a hill, that has been the site of accidents on the other face. You can imagine the carnage with family vehicles trying to exit from this entrance, which is very narrow. There is no real visibility splay. Vehicles traveling west into the village from Hastings, will be unable to see cars trying to get to school to pick up their children because of the hedge that is not in the applicant's ownership. It is even worse with vehicles heading east out of the village, now coming down a hill - and once again the angle prevents any real advance warning, with just the nose of a car protruding - only visible at the last moment. What should have been provided and is an example of what is required, is the same degree of vision afforded by the access just a little further east for Chapel Row.

 

 

 

ORIGINAL SITE PLAN - You may have noticed that there are only forty-nine units shown on the above site plan - and it is still crowded. It is unclear from this plan if some of the plots shown are garages adjacent to a house. It is therefore open to interpretation. The real problem is that the village of Herstmonceux does need more affordable housing. Gratefully, there are other sites that are far more appropriate, and will not pose injury to a site of considerable local historic interest. This field is way outside the village development boundary. See the official boundary below.

 

 

AFFORDABILITY STATEMENT & CAPITALIST MORALS - OR POLICY FRAUD

 

It is because Council's have been dragging their heels so much and not planning for new housing that we are in this mess. It is not just Wealden, it is ingrained in civil servants to apply rules to prevent development or change. In this case the problem is so bad that central government has had to direct them to change their attitudes. Fantastic, but why give locals the job of developing (in effect) national policy in the first place. National policy is what counts. Where do we need homes in the UK and what elements of the countryside are essential to preserve. It's a balancing act that local officials, with close ties to landowners should not be in a position to profit from. Lord Nolan advised that no council officer should spend more than 5 years in any one council, to prevent cosy relationships forming, this being a trigger to corruption. The next question is, how long have the Parish Council members been councillors?

 

 

MORALLY REPUGNANT

 

Any development where the owners of land take advantage of - the at present - lack of precision in local plans, and fail to observe the rules as to affordable and sustainable development goals, as per the United Nations agendas, is in our view morally repugnant.

 

There is a national shortage of affordable homes, there is no shortage of executive homes that are out of reach of young families.

 

 

 

 

High rents and mortgages are every bit a chain around your neck as with these poor fellows. What gives any human the right to enslave another human being? The answer to that is the State. When the State promotes policies and practices that, in effect, allow one human to profit so hugely at the expense of others - then the State is to blame. 

 

 

 

LACKING PRIVACY - Any houses built here will be overlooked by anyone using Herstmonceux Museum. The reverse is also true. How will planners overcome the loss of amenity for Herstmonceux Museum and ensure privacy for houses in this field. Will it mean windows facing away from the Museum? Would that not mean that the usual way of solar heating a house would be prevented. Why? Because the view shown here is looking north, hence, houses should be facing this way (towards the Museum) to capture incoming sunshine. This is the view from the rear (balcony) of the Museum towards the village.

 

 

COUNCIL OFFICERS HAVING CONDUCT OF PLANNING MATTERS RELATING TO HERSTMONCEUX MUSEUM

 

Charlie Lant

Claire Turner

Derek Holness

Ashley Brown

Ian Kay

Victoria (Vic) Scarpa

Christine Nuttal

David Phillips

David Whibley

Doug (J D) Moss

Christine Arnold

Trevor Scott

Daniel Goodwin

Kelvin Williams

 

 

 

SAD - The wishes of the people could not be more plain. Hundreds of locals in the village are so concerned as to the inappropriate development, that they have hoisted banners or put signs in their windows and on vehicles. A decision that does not reflect the wishes of the voting public is not only un-democratic, it smacks of impropriety. How then did Herstmonceux Parish councillors approve an application that so many of the electorate are opposed to ? To the many attending the meeting it stinks to high heaven - and they said as much on hearing this council's decision. http://www.cps.gov.uk/

 

 

 

HMMMM - Tearing up the green belt for a tidy little profit on windfall sites across England is a harrowing experience for locals who moved to secluded country locations to be at one with nature. Windfall indeed, huge sums of money for property developers who have no qualms about raping the land for personal gain. You may consider that to be immoral like so many other people, but a lot of people turn to the dark side to feather their nests.

 

This is another hole sunk just above the Museum, in line with the water flow to the ancient well that Wealden seem to have forgotten is a feature to be protected from water contamination. We wonder what the shareholders and other investors will make of it when they discover in years to come that the controlling minds of so many corporations banded together to try and get around contamination - in other cases this is achieved with bogus reports. We'll have to wait and see if that comes to pass in this case. Wealden have a duty to protect the historic environment, a duty that have failed to stand by in years gone by, spending enormous sums of public money trying to hide the truth of the Generating Works complex. Around £500,000 of taxpayer's money in fact. In another landmark drainage case they tried to prove that water flowed uphill by erasing the levels on a map. Is this more of the same?

 

 

BRITAIN'S ARE (FOR THE MOST PART) SLAVES, CONTRARY TO THE POPULAR ANTHEM

 

Would you buy a house built on green belt? Anyone purchasing homes in Herstmonceux that destroys open spaces and harms historic interests should be ashamed of themselves. Why encourage greedy property developers to do the wrong thing, when by renting or buying in appropriate development areas you are setting a good example in sustainable terms. Herstmonceux lacks school spaces for additional children, doctors and shops, meaning more carbon miles and global warming.

 

The houses proposed are not eco friendly, have no charging points for electric vehicles and no energy generation or heat capture devices. They are more of the same energy gobbling houses that fat-cat builders love, because that is all they (appear) to understand. We await comment on this and other matters from the Clarion Housing Group Limited, Thakekam Homes Limited and Latimer Developments Limited all partners to this proposal. It is yet to be confirmed just who is doing what and when and we look forward to receiving further information.

 

The case officer is Claire Turner. The permission was signed off by Kelvin Williams, now due to retire in 2019 with Christopher Bending taking over as Head of Planning and Environmental services in 2018.

 

 

Geo Environmental Services 01273 832972

 

DRAINAGE ISSUE - We've never seen a site with so many trenches dug and boreholes sunk. The developers are proposing locating houses on the top of a hill leading down to an ancient well that has been in use for over 115 years in its present capacity of providing drinking water to the locality. Are they mad? These property (or those who drew up the original proposals) magnates appear to have let the lure of profits go to their heads. Water flows downhill chaps. This is a basic rule of physics that no amount of smoke and mirrors can get around. Then there is the fact that water is the most powerful solvent known to man. In other words, any chemicals that comes from gardens or other DIY concerning property in this location, will be dissolved and will leach into the ancient well, potentially poisoning those who use that facility.

 

 

SUSSEX INDEX A - Z

 

ARUNDEL CASTLE

BATTLE

BATTLE ABBEY

BATTLE OF HASTINGS

BEACHY HEAD

BEXHILL

BODIAM CASTLE

BRIGHTON

CHICHESTER

CHIDDINGLY - HORSE SHOW and GYMKHANA

CROWBOROUGH

CUCKMERE VALLEY - EXCEAT

DISTRICT AND BOROUGH COUNCILS

EAST SUSSEX
EASTBOURNE

FIRLE

FIRLE BONFIRE SOCIETY

GLYNDE

GUY FAWKES

HAILSHAM

HASTINGS

HEATHFIELD

HERSTMONCEUX - MUSEUM - COSTS SCANDAL - PARISH COUNCIL - ACTION GROUP

LEWES

LEWES DISTRICT COUNCIL

NEWHAVEN

PEVENSEY CASTLE

RYE

SEAFORD

SEVEN SISTERS

SUSSEX

SUSSEX THINGS TO DO GUIDE

THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS

TRUGS

TWISSELLS MILL, OLD HEATHFIELD

UCKFIELD

WEALD

 

LINKS & REFERENCE

 

https://thakeham-client.com/

http://www.clarionhg.com/news-research/2018/march/latimer-to-deliver-70-new-homes-in-herstmonceux/

http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright © 2018 HST &  Max Energy Limited (a not for profit organisation)

 

 UTOPIA

PROFITEERING FROM INAPPROPRIATE HOUSE BUILDING IS ENCOURAGING DEVELOPERS TO DO MORE OF THE SAME ON GREEN BELT