Wealden Council welcomes change of heart over landraise

Wealden District Council has welcomed proposed changes to the Waste and Mineral Plan for the county which will rule out landraise sites in the Low Weald.

An earlier plan proposed five possible landraise sites including some in Wealden.

"I am glad that the waste authorities have listened to our concerns and those of our many local residents," said Councillor Roy Galley, Cabinet Member for Planning and Development at Wealden District Council.

"Landraise as a method of waste disposal is simply unacceptable especially in the highly sensitive and treasured environment of Wealden. Much better to encourage more recycling of the waste we produce."

Cllr Barby Dashwood-Morris who voiced concerns of local ward members said: "The land raise sites envisaged could have been up to 25 metres high.

"For many people in Chiddlingly and East Hoathly it would have created a waste disposal mountain, clearly visible in the countryside and would have led to an increased number of heavy trucks in our narrow country lanes.

"It is good to see East Sussex County Council and the other authorities involved in the process, Brighton and Hove Council and the South Downs National Park Authority, have listened to all the objectors who responded during the consultation process."

Members of the South Downs National Park Authority’s Planning Committee, and of the Cabinet committees of both East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council will consider this revised approach to dealing with waste and minerals at meetings next week.