Evidence base documents

Introduction

This page includes the documents that helped inform the adopted Local Plan evidence base.  The Local Plan is being updated and a new evidence base prepared.

If you wish to see a paper copy of any of these documents please contact us.

Habitats Regulations Assessment (Screening)

This report presents the findings of an initial 'screening' exercise undertaken by Hastings Borough Council and Applied Ecology Ltd in respect of the Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) for the Hastings Local Plan – Development Management Plan (Revised Proposed Submission Version March 2014). It considers the potential adverse effects that could result from implementation of the Development Management Plan on European sites (SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites) within a 10-mile buffer.

• Hastings Local Plan – Development Management Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment (Screening) Report

Hastings Whole Plan Viability Assessment

The report provides an appraisal of the viability of the Hastings Borough Council Local Plan in terms of the impact of its policies on the economic viability of development proposed to be delivered. It considers policies that might affect the cost and value of development (eg Affordable Housing, Design and Construction Standards) as well as site specific cost constraints identified in the Council’s SHLAA study. The appraisal also considers delivery over a 15 year plan period.

• Hastings Whole Plan Viability Assessment June 14

Potential Impact of Development on Combe Haven and Marline Valley Woods SSSI (July 2014)

The report reviews the potential impacts of developing four sites allocated for development in the Hastings Development Management Plan (Revised Proposed Submission Version 2014) on the ecological integrity of nearby Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) called Combe Haven SSSI and Marline Valley Woods SSSI.

• Potential Impact of Development on Combe Haven & Marline Valley Woods SSSI (July 2014)

Hastings Walking and Cycling Strategy (May 2014)

The report considers that walking and cycling have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to supporting the local economy in Hastings alongside the larger infrastructure projects that are being developed, by tackling congestion on the local road network and unlocking development sites by supporting access by active travel.

Subsequently, £6million has been allocated towards walking and cycling investment in Hastings and Bexhill for the period from 2016 as part of the Government's Local Growth Deal announced in July 2014.

• Hastings walking and cycling strategy (May 2014)
• SE LEP East Sussex Growth Deal Allocations (July 2014)

Hastings and Rother Strategic Housing Market Assessment

The Hastings and Rother Strategic Housing Market Assessment has been updated. Previous studies of housing need relating to the Hastings and Rother Housing Market area include the SHMA 2010 update and the earlier 2006 study.

The June 2013 update identifies housing need in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).  In other respects it complements earlier reports and they should all be read in conjunction.

• Hastings and Rother Strategic Housing Market Assessment Update: Housing Needs Assessment (SHMA) June 2013 (.pdf 1600KB) - this report provides an objective assessment of the need for market and affordable housing in the Hastings and Rother Housing Market Areas (HMA) over the next 15 years.
• Housing Delivery in Bexhill and Hastings (June 2013) (.pdf 914KB) - this report has been prepared in conjunction with the Hastings and Rother Strategic Housing Market Assessment update (SHMA) (June 2013).
• Hastings and Rother Strategic Housing Market Assessment (update 2010) (.pdf 2281KB) - this report was undertaken jointly with Rother District Council. It updates the original 2006 HMA report to ensure it complies with the Communities and Local Government Guidance (2007) and considers the effects of the housing market downturn.
• Hastings and Rother Housing Market Assessment (March 2006): final report (.pdf 7,337KB) - this report examines the housing issues in the Hastings and Rother housing market area.  It establishes the strategic vision of housing supply and demand and provides an understanding of the local and sub-regional housing market.
• Hastings and Rother Housing Market Assessment (June 2006): summary (.pdf 2,955KB).

Lifts Evidence Report (February 2014)

Report prepared to support policy DM4g of the Hastings Local Plan, Development Management Plan.

• Provision of Lifts Evidence Report

Space Standards Within the Home Evidence Report (February 2014)

Report prepared to support policy DM3f) of the Hastings Local Plan, Development Management Plan.

• Space Standards Evidence Report

Garden Size Evidence Report (February 2014)

Report prepared to support policy DM3g of the Hastings Local Plan, Development Management Plan.

• Garden Size Evidence Report

Development Boundary Report (February 2014)

Report prepared to support policies in the Hastings Local Plan

• Development Boundary Report

Green Infrastructure Study (December 2012)

Conducted to provide an evidence base for the Development Management Plan to identify green spaces, deficiencies in the network, funding sources and management recommendations.

• Main study (.pdf 172KB)
• Appendix A (.pdf 6400KB)
• Appendix B (.pdf 6035KB)
• Appendix C (.pdf 5552KB)
• Appendix D (.pdf 5529KB)
• Appendix E (.pdf 5602KB)
• Appendix F (.pdf 5526KB)

Sequential Testing of site allocations

In December 2012 AECOM performed a Sequential Test of the proposed site allocations in accordance with National Planning Policy. Since producing the 2012 document, the Council has decided to follow the recommendation from the Environment Agency (EA) in their letter dated 11 January 2013 and a sentence has been removed from the 2012 report received in accordance with the EA's letter.

An addendum to the original Sequential Test document has been prepared using the most up-to-date and robust evidence base available to support the revised version of the Development Management Plan (2014), prior to submission to the Secretary of State. This addendum should be read in conjunction with the original Sequential Test report prepared in 2012.

• Sequential test of site allocations document (December 2012) (.pdf 11025KB)
• Environment Agency letter (11.01.13) (.pdf 31KB)
• Addendum to Sequential test (July 2014) (.pdf 3953KB)

Site Allocations additional work

Ivyhouse Lane - Rock Lane Study Area Landscape Assessment (October 2013)

Carried out by East Sussex County Council Environmental Advice Team on behalf of Hastings Borough Council and Rother District Council to provide a landscape appraisal of the Ivyhouse Lane - Rock Lane Study Area to assist in the consideration of potential residential and employment development within this area:

• Ivyhouse Lane - Rock Lane Study Area Landscape Assessment Volume 1 (October 2013) (.pdf 18649KB)
• Ivyhouse Lane - Rock Lane Study Area Landscape Assessment Volume 2 - Maps and Tables (October 2013) (.pdf 5374KB).

Please note these documents were produced for print and may not be accessible for all website users.

Upper Wilting Farm wind turbine feasibility study

Report commissioned into the feasibility of wind turbines on land to the south of Upper Wilting Farm. The subsequent reports review available ecological information relating to site FB12 - Land south of Upper Wilting Farm, which is allocated for wind energy development in the Hastings Development Management Plan (Revised Proposed Submission Version 2014) in terms of feasibility of wind turbine development and potential impact on the birds and bats.

• Upper Wilting Farm wind turbine feasibility study (June 2013) (.pdf 41860KB)
• Policy FB12 Feasibility Study Ecology Appraisal Addendum - Birds (July 2014)
• Policy FB12 Feasibility Study Bat Appraisal Addendum (July 2014).

Please note the 2013 document was produced for print and may not be accessible for all website users.

Robsack A

Two reports have been commissioned by the Council into the potential impacts upon trees and wildlife on this site which is a potential allocation in the Proposed Submission version of the Development Management Plan.

• Robsack A Arboricultural implications report (.pdf 23762KB)
• Robsack A ecology report (.pdf 3455KB).

Upper Ore Valley

An ecology report that is supporting evidence to the potential allocation of development site in the Upper Ore Valley. The report is an assessment of the ecological value of the Upper Ore Valley. An update to the earlier work was completed in November 2014

• Upper Ore Valley habitat survey and site evaluation (2009) (.pdf 2488KB)
• Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (November 2014).

Community Facilities Report (December 2012)

Report prepared to support the policies in the Local Plan documents.

• Community Facilities main report (December 2012) (.pdf 102KB)
• Appendix A – Community facilities available for hire (.pdf 5145KB)
• Appendix B – Survey results (.pdf 25KB)

Hastings Retail Areas Survey (November 2012)

This report provides information on the uses of ground floor premises within the borough’s defined shopping areas, collected through an observational survey carried out during October and November 2012. The purpose of this survey is to provide information that will help assess the health of the shopping areas and provide a means of monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of planning policies in the Local Plan related to retail.

• Hastings Retail Areas Survey (November 2012) (.pdf 17112KB)

Explanation of housing evidence (August 2012)

This paper documents the evidence that has been prepared either by or on behalf of the Council to support the housing policies in the submission version of the Hastings Planning Strategy:

• Explanation of housing evidence (August 2012) (.pdf 220KB)
• Appendix A: Documentation relating to Breadsell site

Hastings Planning Strategy Retail Sites Assessment (August 2012)

This document sets out that approximately 20,500m² of comparison goods retail floorspace will be required in the town over the Plan period to 2028. This requirement is based on evidence set out in the latest Retail Floor space Needs Assessment, which was carried out in 2011. This paper sets out the steps we have taken in terms of site identification:

• Hastings Planning Strategy Retail Sites Assessment (August 2012) (.pdf 2965KB)

Provision of Permanent sites for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople (October 2012)

This paper documents the evidence which supports the Council's approach to meeting the accommodation needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople. It will also support the subsequent Development Management Plan:

• Provision of Permanent sites for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople (October 2012) (.pdf 220KB)

Shared housing in Hastings - An assessment of demand, supply and community impacts (August 2012)

This report provides an overview of the number, type and location of HMOs in the Borough. The impacts on the local communities associated with high concentrations of HMOs are discussed along with future need/demand for shared housing in Hastings:

• Shared housing in Hastings - an assessment of demand, supply and community impacts (August 2012) (.pdf 429KB)

Transport Capacity Assessment

East Sussex County Council appointed Mott MacDonald in late 2011 to undertake a series of studies to carry out an assessment of traffic conditions in Bexhill and Hastings for 2028. The Transport Capacity Assessment, prepared by East Sussex County Council, draws together the conclusions of two transport assessments affecting development in Bexhill and Hastings undertaken by Mott MacDonald - a LDF Sensitivity Assessment and a Glyne Gap Development Assessment.

• Hastings and Rother Local Plans - Transport Capacity Assessment (July 2012) (.pdf 131KB)
• Glyne Gap Development Assessment (March 2012) (.pdf 840KB)
• LDF Sensitivity Assessment (January 2012) (.pdf 2560KB)

Five and Six Point Plans

These plans were developed to secure economic prosperity for Hastings and Rother, showing interlinked initiatives for regeneration:

• Hastings and Rother Task Force Strategic Priorities - Six Point Plan (July 2012) (.pdf 41KB)
• Hastings and Bexhill Five Point Plan (March 2002) (.pdf 6436KB)

The economic impact of tourism on Hastings

Studies commissioned by Hastings Borough Council and undertaken by Tourism South East to provide indicative estimates of the volume, value and resultant economic impact of tourism on Hastings.

• The economic impact of tourism on Hastings (2013) (.pdf KB)
• The economic impact of tourism on Hastings (2011) (.pdf 383KB)

Pedestrian/cycle route study (May 2008)

Study produced by: Hastings Urban Bikes and the Ramblers Association for Hastings Borough Council and East Sussex County Council.

The study audited four outline routes to find the best, safest passage for pedestrians and cyclists in Hastings:

1. Seafront: eventually linking Bexhill to the west with Hastings Country Park to the east
2. Northern: linking Hastings town centre with the Conquest Hospital to the north
3. North-eastern: linking Hastings town centre with Ore via Ore Valley
4. North-western: linking Hastings Town Centre with Hollington area and potentially Pebsham (now Combe Valley) Countryside Park

• Clean, Green and Safe Pedestrian/Cycle Routes in Hastings and St Leonards (May 2008) (.pdf 5214KB)

Assessment of Housing Need in Hastings and Rother

This background paper relates the housing targets in the Hastings and Rother planning strategies to an objective assessment of housing need, prepared in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework. It draws together information contained in the evidence base for the two Authorities' planning strategies, notably the Hastings and Rother Strategic Housing Market Assessment, the Hastings and Rother Employment Strategy and Land Review, and its Update, the Councils' respective Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessments and Annual Monitoring Reports.

• Assessment of Housing Need in Hastings and Rother (May 2012) (.pdf 400KB)
• Addendum to Footnote on Page 14 (October 2012) (.pdf 187KB)
• Updated Local Economic Forecasting Model (2010) (.pdf 627KB)

Hastings Local Biodiversity Action Plan (July 2007)

The Biodiversity Action Plan is a working tool to enable Hastings Borough Council to meet its statutory duty re biodiversity. It reflects national priorities locally to protect and enhance biodiversity and engage the local community.

• Hastings Local Biodiversity Action Plan (July 2007) (.pdf 1463KB)

South Foreland to Beachy Head Shoreline Management Plan (April 2006)

The Shoreline Management Plan provides a large-scale assessment of risk from coastal erosion and presents a policy framework to address these. We are only able to show the final report here; please contact us if you wish to view the associated maps. The maps are available on a CD for which there is a charge of £6 (including postage and packaging), or £5 if collected from our offices.

• South Foreland to Beachy Head Shoreline Management Plan (April 2006) (.pdf 864KB)

Affordable Housing Viability Study and The Impact of Affordable Housing (March 2011)

The Affordable Housing Viability Study carried out in 2007 has been updated. This update takes into account changes to property market conditions; build costs (including sustainable construction and design standards) and other planning obligations.

• Affordable Housing Viability Study: final report (March 2011) (.pdf 3237KB)
• Affordable Housing Viability Study: appendices (March 2011) (.pdf 1549KB)

Affordable Housing Viability Study (July 2007)

This study was conducted to consider the approximate likely development capacity and type of general viability issues anticipated within housing sites in the town, assessing the impact on land values and affordable housing thresholds.

• Affordable Housing Viability Study (July 2007): executive summary (.pdf 484KB)
• Affordable Housing Viability Study (July 2007): final report (.pdf 1,356KB)
• Affordable Housing Viability Study (July 2007): appendices (.pdf 6,310KB)

Ancient Woodland Inventory for Hastings (August 2010)

This report examines the town's ancient woodland resource and presents a revised inventory for the local authority area. The report has been prepared by the Weald and Downs Ancient Woodland Survey to inform planning policy and planning decisions.

The report can be read on the Wild Hastings website.

Future retail floorspace needs

A retail capacity update has been prepared in light of the economic downturn to assess the impact this has had on the town's future floorspace needs.  The update has been built on work previously undertaken for the Retail Capacity Study March 2006, and will underpin planning policies in the Planning Strategy and Development Management Plan documents.

• Hastings Town Centre: shopping floorspace assessment of future needs update (February 2014) (.pdf 197KB)
• Hastings Town Centre: Retail Floor space needs assessment update (August 2011) (.pdf 234KB)
• Future shopping floorspace needs (update February 2010) (.pdf 135KB)

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)

The Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) identifies sites which have the potential to accommodate housing, and provides an estimate of the likely numbers of dwellings that could be provided on sites across the Borough up to 2028. It is a research document which informed the preparation of the Hastings Planning Strategy and the Development Management Plan. 

Please visit the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment area to download the documents.

Renewable Energy and Low Carbon Development Study (August 2009)

• Renewable Energy and Low Carbon Development Study (.pdf 2724KB)
• Renewable Energy and Low Carbon Development Study Summary (.pdf 488KB)

This report has been completed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the low carbon energy strategies appropriate for the new developments planned in Hastings up to 2026.  This strategy describes the mix of technologies which will be the most appropriate and cost effective in delivering the required Co2 savings on the new build development sites in the town.  The results of this analysis form a robust evidence base, which should be used to guide low carbon strategic planning in the town.

Retaining Hotels and Guesthouses in Hastings (February 2009)

• East Sussex Hotel and Visitor Accommodation Futures - retaining Hotels and Guesthouses in Hastings (.pdf 188KB)

This report has been prepared as part of a wider programme of hotel and visitor accommodation studies across East Sussex.  Its overall purpose is to inform the preparation of planning policies for the development of the hotel and visitor accommodation sector, and to support the Council's development control function.

Local Wildlife Sites Review (April 2009)

A review of local wildlife sites and National Indicator 197 (improved local biodiversity) in Hastings.

• Local Wildlife Sites Review (.pdf 17492KB)

Please note this document was produced for print and may not be accessible for all website users.

Hastings and Rother Employment Strategy and Land Review

The Employment Strategy and Land Review (ELRS) jointly undertaken by Hastings Borough Council and Rother District Council in May 2008 has been updated to take into account a number of significant events that need to be considered in terms of their implications for the assessment of employment land requirements.

This update considers the implications of each of these factors upon the recommendations of the 2008 ELRS. It does not reproduce all the information, so needs to be read in conjunction with it.

• Hastings and Rother Employment Strategy and Land Review (August 2011) (.pdf 626KB)
• Hastings and Rother Employment Strategy and Land Review (May 2008) (.pdf 2230KB)

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

The Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) was conducted in 2008 to allow the application of the sequential and exception test and introduces the concept of flood risk at the early stages of the planning process.  We are only able to show the final report here; please contact us if you wish to view the associated maps.  We also publish these maps on a CD for which there is a charge of £6 (including postage and packaging), or £5 if collected from our offices.

Some of these files are large and may take some time to download.

• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (April 2008): Front piece (.pdf 9KB)
• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (April 2008): Table of contents (.pdf 79KB)
• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (April 2008): Chapters 1 - 7 (.pdf 1521KB)
• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (April 2008): Appendix A - technical review (.pdf 3513KB)
• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (April 2008): Appendices B - E (.pdf 3716KB)
• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (April 2008): Appendix F - supporting information (.pdf 42KB)
• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (April 2008): Appendix F - flooding history (.pdf 116KB)
• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (April 2008): Flood plans - Combe Haven catchment (.pdf 4129KB)
• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (April 2008): Flood warning - Bulverhythe (.pdf 834KB)
• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (April 2008): PPS25 guidance tables (.pdf 402KB)
• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (April 2008): safe access and exit lookup tables (.pdf 70KB)
• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (April 2008): sustainable drainage systems (.pdf 728KB)

An update to the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment was completed in November 2014:

• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Final Report (November 2014)
• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Report maps - this document has been split into sections for downloading:
• Pages 1 - 3: Contents page, Maps 001 River Network & 002 Flood Risk from Rivers & Sea
  Pages 4 - 5: Maps 003 Flood Risk from Surface Water & 004 Flood Risk from Groundwater
  Pages 6 - 7: Maps 005 Flood Risk from Reservoirs & 006 Flood Risk from Sewers
  Pages 8 - 9: Maps 007 Flooding History & 008 Potential Flood Risk
  Pages 10 - 11: Maps 009 Water Management Infrastructure & 010 Emergency Plans
  Pages 12 - 13: Maps 011 Areas unsuitable for Infiltration Techniques & 012 Climate Change outline
  Page 14: Map 013 Extent of Hydraulic Models

Please note that these are large files and may take some time to download

Private Sector House Condition Survey 2007 (February 2008) 

Undertaken to provide a picture of housing condition in the private sector to assist in meeting housing legislation.

• Private Sector House Condition Survey 2007 (February 2008) (.pdf 1486KB)

Hastings Retail Capacity Study (March 2006)

This study assesses the future shopping needs and retail capacity of the town to underpin the retail policies contained in the Local Development Framework.

• Hastings Retail Capacity Study (March 2006): executive summary (.pdf 116KB)
• Hastings Retail Capacity Study (March 2006): background document (.pdf 795KB)
• Hastings Retail Capacity Study (March 2006): main document (.pdf 2,581KB)

Hastings and Bexhill Seafront Strategy (May 2005)

The seafront strategy sets out a series of initiatives to set the foundation for investment, regeneration & growth. It looks at the potential of the seafront for economic & community development.

• Hastings and Bexhill Seafront Strategy (May 2005) (.pdf 9402KB)

Housing Needs Survey (2005)

This study examines the housing requirements (needs, aspirations and demands) for the communities and households of the town.

• Housing Needs Survey (2005): final report (.pdf 2,959KB)
• Housing Needs Survey (2005): summary report (.pdf 221KB)