Barnhorn Green is an allocated employment and health zone adjacent to a large housing development in Bexhill. Development of the site is required to ensure that housing growth in the area is sustainable through the provision of jobs and primary healthcare.

The site has been acquired by Rother District Council and outline planning permission has been granted for 2,750 sqm of office accommodation, 750 sqm of light industrial workspace and 700 sqm for a GP surgery. Through the project this development will be brought forward by Rother District Council.

Funding approval

The project was considered by the Accountability Board on 12th February 2021 and the decision was made to approve the award of GPF funding to the project. However, it was noted that planning consent has not yet been granted for the proposed works and therefore it was agreed that the project will be removed from the GPF programme if planning consent is not granted. This will require immediate repayment of any funding already drawn down against the project. It was anticipated that a planning decision would be taken in July 2021.

Project update

The project was considered by the Accountability Board on 12 January 2024 and the decision was made to remove the project from the GPF programme. This decision was taken in light of the early stage of project development and the significant number of risks and uncertainties which remained.

Growing Places Fund

The Growing Places Fund (GPF) was established by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (formerly the Department for Communities and Local Government) and the Department for Transport (DfT) in 2011. The aim of this funding is to unlock economic growth, create jobs and ‘kick-start’ house building at stalled development sites.