Hastings Observer 15 January 2009

Campaigning residents have sent more than 400 letters of protest against plans for high-density housing on the historic Archery Ground site to Hastings Borough Council.
As a result of their protests it is now unlikely that the proposed plans will be heard by Hastings Borough Council Planning Committee before March. Martin Bloomfield, chair of STAG said, “The site is being over developed with a complete lack of imagination and destroying an area of outstanding natural beauty and architectural importance. 
“Real people’s lives are affected by this proposed development.”
MP Michael Foster, who supports the residents’ objections, said he’d received an assurance from the Borough Planning Officer, that “all those who were consulted previously will be re-consulted, together with those who have made representations.” 

 However, locals fear their views will go unheeded. In a previous exercise last spring conducted by the developer Gladedale few locals were aware that a consultation was underway.
“Most residents affected by the development heard nothing from either the developer or the Council at the material time,” Martin Bloomfield said. “We are determined not to be ignored and insulted again.”
Local residents’ action group, STAG, is planning a series of events to keep pressure on the developers and Council to approve a scheme that fits the Burtons’ original vision for the area.
Archiectural historian Elizabeth Nathaniels will guide the new Chair of English Heritage, Baroness Andrews, around the site. “The Baroness has requested a visit to Burtons’ St Leonards and will be shown round the whole historic area by those who know something of its history,” Ms Nathaniels, said. An expert on the Burton’s work nationally, remarked: “The Burton’s were enlightened builders who incorporated the natural features of their settings. This is what we want all future developers to understand and emulate, in order to maintain their gift,” she said.
In addition, local representatives support the campaign. Councillor Maureen Charlesworth has branded the proposed development “an abomination.” Prospective Parliamentary Conservative candidate Amber Rudd, and Liberal Democrat Nick Perry also oppose the plans.
HRH, the Prince of Wales, when informed of the proposal, said that while he cannot interfere with local planning issues, he will notify the local authority of his awareness of Gladedale’s development.
STAG says the density is too high with little green space, and will cause chaos to the local infrastructure.
“It is unimaginative in a prized conservation area and will mow through ancient trees and heavily wooded areas currently home to wild life including owls, badgers and bats,” said Martin Bloomfield. “The Archery Road development will totally change the character of this important historic area developed in Victorian times by the Burtons in a place that has often been referred to as a national gem.” He said Gladedale’s plans would cause “untold stress to residents who face towering concrete blocks and heaving traffic on their doorsteps every day for the rest of their lives.”