Latest News and Updates

Rother Local Plan Review – Regulation 18 Consultation

Rother District Council is currently consulting on the Draft Local Plan 2025–2042. This plan will guide development and land use across the district up to 2042, including where new homes, jobs, infrastructure and services may be located, while aiming to protect Rother’s valued landscapes, heritage and character.

The Regulation 18 consultation is open until 23 March 2026 and focuses on proposed development sites and strategy. This is a key stage where residents, businesses, parish and town councils can view the proposals and submit comments before the plan progresses to Regulation 19 later in 2026.

View and comment on the Draft Local Plan: https://rother.oc2.uk/document/184

Proposed development sites: https://rother.oc2.uk/document/184/29952#chapters

Online policy map: https://rother.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/interactivelegend/index.html?appid=e97bde8fb894489aa6fea6a80af356c8

Supporting evidence: https://www.rother.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/emerging-local-plan/emerging-evidence-base/

Your feedback at this stage helps shape the next version of the Local Plan, which will be subject to further consultation ahead of submission for examination.

New Play Equipment August 2025

The first two phases of the Recreation Ground project are now completed, with a new net twister replacing the old gyro spiral and small fenced preschool play area.

The final phase will be completed in September with an accessible path to all the play areas.

Tree Works May 2025

The remaining tree works on the recreation ground are scheduled to take place on Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd May. The oak tree to the left of the swings will be reduced in size and a brace fitted to the divided trunk. This will support it and ensure it can remain in place for some years to come. The oak tree to the left of the gym equipment will be turned into a monolith, a habitat for wildlife. Full details about why these works are required are in the tree reports attached below.

Tree Works

Brede Parish Council had to make the difficult decision to fell a veteran oak on the Recreation Ground in February. The decision was unanimous, with all members of the Council present,  and in the presence of members of the public who were shown all the information.

The decision followed intensive investigations by an experienced arborologist, who used the latest equipment and assessment techniques. His reports are given in full below.

Brede Parish Council takes its responsibilities seriously, and trees are inspected yearly, with the advice and works recommended then being carried out.  The report from 2023 is also attached to show how quickly the tree was deteriorating.  

The rot extended from above the roots, well into the trunk.  The pieces that remain on the Recreation Ground are from higher up the tree and were kept because the wood is in fairly good condition and can probably be used to make something for the Parish.  The intervening section, some of which could be crumbled by hand, was removed as being of no value. 

Further tree works to make safe the remaining two trees of concern will be undertaken in May.

Recreation Ground Development

On Tuesday 9th July Brede Parish Council held an open meeting to show residents some plans for the Recreation Ground and to gather comments and feedback. Plans included a new preschool play area, a replacement piece of equipment for the Gyro Spiral, an Accessible path to the play equipment and a new pavilion

Details of each of the projects, plans and progress are below, along with how to comment.