The Planning Authority for Rye is Rother District Council (RDC), and they are responsible for determining whether local planning applications should be approved. However, Rye Town Council is notified of applications, and the Planning and Townscape Committee are responsible for considering these applications and determining the comments of the Town Council.
The Rye Neighbourhood Plan (RNP), initiated by Rye Town Council, forms part of the Development Plan for Rother District and is used when determining planning applications within the designated Neighbourhood Area of Rye Parish.
You are welcome to contact us with your views on applications or even speak at one of our Planning and Townscape Committee meetings during the slot included for public participation. Please note that the Planning Authority does not provide the Town Council with copies of any planning objections or comments made directly to it. If you wish Town Councillors to be aware of your submission you will need to give a copy to the Town Clerk at the earliest opportunity.
The Planning and Townscape Committee will occasionally consider and comment on applications falling outside the parish boundary if approval could have a detrimental impact on the town or its inhabitants (for example, if an application to extend the operating hours of a business within the Rye Harbour Employment Area (Icklesham Parish) could result in a greater number of HGV movements through Rye at night).
Details of upcoming planning applications can be found on Rother District Council’s planning pages (see below). You can also use the RDC site to search for recent decisions and the planning histories of properties within the District – as well as to obtain guidance on planning control and building regulations. Plans associated with applications may be downloaded from the RDC website.
If you wish to comment on planning applications, they must reach the Planning Authority’s Head of Planning within the 21-day consultation period. Comments can be submitted via their website, alternatively you can contact: Head of Planning, Rother District Council, Town Hall, Bexhill in Sea TN39 3JX or email: planning@rother.gov.uk
The Planning and Townscape Committee for 2023-24 is made up of the following Members:
Cllr Chris Hoggart (Committee chairman – Deputy Mayor), Cllr Vagn Hansen (Committee vice-chairman), Cllr David Bookless, Cllr Michael Boyd, Cllr William Everett, Cllr Bernardine Fiddimore, Cllr Pat Hughes, Cllr Shaun Rogers, Cllr Andy Stuart (Mayor) and Cllr Sophie Thorpe.