Development Procedures

If you're considering any development on your property in Old Ratton, here are the procedures you need to follow in order to speed the planning process.

1)  There has been a recent spate of development activity in the Old Ratton Residents’ Association area. Proposals have in general been referred to the Association before building works have commenced and the necessary consents have been given. As we have a number of new residents it may be useful to set out the procedures which should be followed for them, as well as to provide a reminder for established residents.

 2)  The Covenants have had the positive result of retaining the special features of the area for the benefit of residents in the past, now and in the future. Unless the Association’s written consent to a development accompanies property deeds, solicitors dealing with a sale conveyance can raise the absence of such consent as a contentious issue.

 3)  The authority to enforce Covenants in the deeds to properties in the ORRA area, which required the prior permission of the original Company which developed the estate, is now vested in the Old Ratton Residents’ Association. Not every plot was subject to identical covenants, so if residents have any doubt they should refer to their own deeds.

 4)  In general permission is required for any building development, permanent or temporary, which is external to an existing building. Whereas Eastbourne Council as the local planning authority may not be concerned to give statutory permission in certain development proposals, such as the erection of conservatories and sheds in gardens, the Association is required to authorise all such structures.

5)  Once residents have had drawings for a development proposal prepared, after consulting the relevant covenants in their deeds, a set should be forwarded to the Association before an application is made to the local authority for planning consent. The plans should be addressed to an Honorary Officer, who will forward them to the Development Sub Committee for perusal. After discussion and a site visit and the resolution of any issues, the applicant will then be asked to obtain from neighbours, upon whom the development will have an impact, a letter stating that they have no objections to the proposed development. When these approvals have been forwarded to the Association, an official letter of development consent will then be sent, for retention with the property deeds. The Association will retain the set of plans and the letters of consent in its files.

 6)  Members of the Development Sub Committee will make every effort to be available to discuss development proposals and respond to any queries residents may have at draft stages 

Please see and submit a Planning Form using the tab on this website if you wish to make any changes to your property, including cutting or removing any trees from either your front or back garden.