Dismay as Winchelsea Beach homes granted

Hazel Clark believes the development will set a dangerous precedent

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Neighbours to a potential three-storey development on '˜the shack' in Winchelsea Beach were left disappointed when it was approved by the planning committee.

Rother District Council granted planning permission for two dwelling on Kennel Cottage, Dogs Hill Road, at the meeting on Thursday, January 21.

Hazel Clark is one of a number of residents opposed to the development as she believes it is too high and will set a precedent for the rest of the seafront.

“I’m beside myself but I haven’t done anything about it because I don’t think there’s anything I can do,” she said.

“I’m terribly upset about it as I can’t believe they would do that – if I knew I could fight them and succeed, I would try.

“This is a very unsympathetic development and if they cam and say out of my window, they would realise that the height is totally unreasonable.”

The development was for three homes when initially submitted in October, but was changed to two before last week’s meeting.

Committee members went with the officer’s recommendation to accept the proposal as it is within the development boundary and its design fits its surroundings.

The report also said the plans would not cause ‘demonstrable harm to neighbours’ amenities due to the distance between them.

Ms Clark said she does not object to a building on the site but just wished the developers would compromise by reducing the height.

“This is certainly going to set a precedent as the land is ripe for development and soon we’ll be lost in the middle of it all,” she said.