The Hastings Borough Council Local Plan has formally entered its Regulation 19 Publication stage—the final consultation phase before the plan is submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination by a Planning Inspector.

Why This Stage is Different

Regulation 19 is not a general opinion-gathering exercise. The Planning Inspector will only assess whether the Local Plan satisfies strict statutory requirements: legal compliance and the tests of soundness (positively prepared, justified, effective, and consistent with national policy).

General objections will not carry the necessary weight. To protect Sandrock Bends, our challenge must dismantle the council's evidence base under planning law.

We Are Commissioning Professional Advice

To give the site the strongest possible defence, the steering group is commissioning professional planning and hydrological experts.

Our specialists are reviewing the published evidence base to lodge robust technical objections focused on:

• Flooding, hydrology, and drainage: Critical surface water run-off and catchment risks.

• Ground stability: Structural risks associated with the site's topography and slopes.

• Ecology and biodiversity: Preservation of irreplaceable wildlife corridors linked to St Helen’s Wood.

What Supporters Should Do Now

• Hold off on submitting comments: Do not send your objections yet. Once our specialists complete their analysis, we will publish a step-by-step submission guide detailing the precise policy criteria and technical points to cite in your representation.

• Support the fighting fund: Commissioning professional planning and hydrological reports requires substantial resources. Contributions to the campaign fighting fund directly cover these expert fees.

• Spread the word: Alert friends, neighbours, and community networks that the statutory consultation clock is running.