1. What exactly is the “Local Plan”? Why is it relevant to St. Helen’s Woods?
The local plan is a blueprint for the future of Hastings up to 2041. It tells the council and developers where they can build, what they must protect, and what kind of infrastructure (like schools or roads) is needed to support growth. Currently, Sandrock Bends is included as a site on the plan – right next to St. Helen’s Woods. Read more about the background HERE.
2. Why is the council doing this now?
The government requires every council to have an up-to-date plan. Since the last one in 2021, housing targets for Hastings have increased significantly. If the council doesn’t have its own plan, it could lose control over where developers build, and the government could step in to make those decisions.
3. I commented on the Local Plan in 2021 – do I need to do it again?
Yes. While the council has used feedback from 2021 to shape this draft, this is a new version with updated targets and sites. To ensure your views are counted toward the 2026 version, you should submit fresh comments – and before April 7th.
4. Will my comments actually make a difference?
Absolutely. At this “Regulation 18” stage, the plan is still a draft. Public feedback can lead to sites being removed, policies being strengthened (e.g. higher environmental standards), or better protection for specific local landmarks and green areas.
5. Do I have to be a planning expert to comment?
Not at all! You are an expert on your local area. Whether you’re worried about a specific road’s traffic, a local nature reserve’s wildlife, or the need for more affordable shops, your “on-the-ground” knowledge is exactly what the council needs.
6. Where are these 12,000+ houses going to go?
The council has assessed over 150 sites – including Sandrock Bends, which sits at the edge of the St. Helen’s Woods Nature Reserve. The plan attempts to balance the housing need by looking at brownfield sites first, but because the targets are so high, some greenfield areas are also being considered. This is your chance to say if you think a specific site is suitable or not.
7. Can I see the plan in person?
Yes. If you prefer paper to screens, you can view the full documents at:
- Hastings Library (Claremont)
- Hollington Library
- Ore Community Library
- Muriel Matters House (Breeds Place)
8. What happens after April 7th?
The council will review every single comment. They will then write a final version (Regulation 19) which will be checked by an independent Planning Inspector at a public examination before it becomes law.
9. I sent in objections to the planning application at Sandrock Bends. Do I need to do this as well?
Yes! Whilst there were more than 800 comments made about the site at Sandrock Bends, the Local Plan is the key framework that will influence whether the site is used for housing or not.
10. What are the key objections to the idea of housing at Sandrock Bends?
Having consulted with many experts in ecology, hydrology and planning, we believe the area is unsuitable for housing, in particular for its potential impact on St. Helen’s Woods, but also for many other reasons. Further information about this can be found here.
11. The council’s website is complicated. How do I find the relevant sections?
We invite you to join us in objecting to the inclusion of Sandrock Bends in the Draft Local Plan. The relevant part of the plan can be found here:
https://hastings.oc2.uk/document/190/29856#d29859
The key areas to look for are:
- flood risk – Section 6.16
- sewage and surface water run off – Section 6.17
- housing density – Table 8
- unrealistic access to local facilities – Section 6.15
12. Do you have any further advice about how to object?
As before, your objections must be FACTUAL and SPECIFIC.
- build on your previous objections to the planning application – those reasons are equally valid for the Local Plan.
- include in your objections that you want Sandrock Bends removed from the Draft Local Plan.
- use the words “The section describing the land adjacent to Sandrock Park should be removed’
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN HELPING TO PROTECT SANDROCK BENDS.
