Sandrock Hall Bends Development

For more updates, information or offers of support contact: SaveSandrockBends@gmail.com

 

The land at Sandrock Bends (the woodland opposite Conquerors March on the Ridge, adjacent to Coopers Vets and behind St Helen’s Church) is under threat.  This land is the last remaining part of the wildlife corridor that links the Sussex Weald countryside to St Helen’s Park ancient woodlands, Alexandra Park and then to the town centre. See picture at end.
 
The land is owned in different parts by Hastings Council, East Sussex County Council (ESCC), Hastings Youth Trust and an individual.  Part of it used to be football pitches which are now overgrown.  See the sketch map at the end.  There is a proposal (but not yet submitted to Planning) to build 140 houses on the whole ancient bluebell woodland and greenspace area.  I understand that St Helen’s Wood Preservation Society wish to purchase this land to preserve its existing status.   
 
However ESCC have just put in a proposal this week to sell part of this land for housing development, being the footpath and an area either side of this, that cuts the corner on that bend in The Ridge.  See:
⦁    the sketch map here – ESCC want to sell the long yellow part (4). 
⦁    the Public Notice in the Hastings Observer (page 66, 24 Nov 2023 issue).  

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ESCC have already started the ball rolling to sell the land to a ‘Land Promoter’ who is busy piecing together the different parcels of this site into a viable housing development proposal.  See the statement from ESCC at the end.
 

The big damaging issues from a housing development are as follows:

Flooding:  replacing ancient woodland on this high ground at the top of The Ridge with 140 houses will cause massive drainage, sewage and flooding problems for all properties downstream from this area.  Businesses will also be affected further downstream in the town.  The recent rainstorms have:
⦁    damaged every manhole grill on The Ridge from the Conquerors March to the Cemetry.  These were eroded underground causing considerable damage and expensive repairs for ESCC.
⦁    damaged the dam in St Helen’s Wood
⦁    contributed to the recent flooding and sewage overflow in the town centre
If excess rainfall continues to occur, as is predicted, then building on this land will contribute to further flooding. 
 

Traffic congestion:  The Ridge is already over used at key times.  Placing 140 houses in a critical and difficult part of the bend in The Ridge is just asking for more trouble. Additional access to existing estates leading to Elphinstone Road may also be proposed following on from the proposed development.
 

Loss of an accessible and wildlife diverse green space:  the footpath and its surrounding woodland and meadow, provide much needed wildlife habitat, contributing to biodiversity, plus general access to green space, much used by the public, including young people on their way to and from the Ark School.
 
Affordable housing is obviously needed but there are many other suitable sites for housing in the borough which do not require loss of a critical green space.  This proposal will have disastrous consequences for many Hastings residents. 
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