Gullivers - decision by end of August

That was the outcome of a three-day public appeal by Churchill Retirement Living Ltd (CRL) over Rother District Councils refusal of its plans to redevelop the Knole Road club.

Churchill's proposed plans include turning the site into 41 sheltered apartments for the elderly with car parking, landscape and access, a new outdoor bowling greens, an indoor rink, club facilities and car parking.

One of the main issues under discussion was the appropriate provision of affordable housing.

CRL's plan is that 40 per cent affordable housing (that is required by planning policy) will be erected off-site. But Rother legal services manager David Edwards was not impressed and wanted answers on why the affordable housing was not actually included on-site.

Christine McNaulty representing CRL said the reason was that the site was, "not big enough", and to include them in the site would mean there would have to be "two separate blocks, two accesses and their own gardens."

Mr Edwards said in a closing statement: "If affordable housing cannot be provided on-site, the appropriate number of affordable housing units needs to be determined."

He also questioned the amount of parking that would be available and the adequacy of only 14 parking spaces for the retirement flats.

Representing GAG (Gulliver's Action Group) Anne Marie Loader's Proof of Evidence said: " It's GAG's aim to find a way to preserve the site in its entirety, hopefully complete with bowlers.

"The planning committee refused the application unanimously, stating the need to preserve such spaces for future generations.

"It is sad to learn this view is not held by our planning department."