Letter to Parish Council (COU)

Dear Steep Parish Council

Here are a list of the core issues facing residents:

1. Access Issues

  • Single-track lanes only: Steep Marsh is served solely by Pratts Lane, Elmwood Lane, and Rockpit Lane—narrow, single-track roads with no engineered passing places.
  • Informal passing points: Created by erosion from vehicles; now deeply rutted and potholed, posing hazards for all users.
  • Unsuitable for commercial vehicles: Recovery has been needed for stuck vans and HGVs; existing infrastructure cannot support increased commercial traffic.
  • Verges eroded: Ongoing damage to verges and road edges is hazardous, unsightly, and environmentally harmful.
  • Private driveways misused: Commercial drivers often use residents’ driveways as passing points, causing property damage.
  • Road surfaces failing: Lanes are subsided and potholed, adding to the danger.
  • HGV weight limits ineffective: Signage from A3 is ignored, and enforcement is lacking.
  • Increased commercial traffic = worsening conditions: Further development will exacerbate road degradation and access problems.

2. Safety Risks

  • Unrestricted lanes: No speed limits mean vehicles can legally travel at up to 60mph through narrow lanes.
  • Commercial driver behaviour: Many are unfamiliar with the roads and drive without due care, endangering others.
  • Winter hazards: Water run-off and springs create frequent black ice, increasing accident risk.
  • No pavements: Pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders share the road, facing daily risks.
  • Further traffic = more danger: Increased use by commercial vehicles will heighten safety risks for all.

3. Environmental & Landscape Impact

  • Existing industrial presence: The Brickyards estate and Haste site already contribute to commercial traffic and disruption.
  • At odds with National Park priorities: Further development undermines the character and tranquility of the South Downs National Park (SDNP).
  • Policy breach: SDNP policy states only park-related businesses should operate—expansion of other industries is inappropriate.
  • Environmental harm: More traffic and development will lead to greater erosion, pollution, and visual damage.

Certainly — here’s a fourth section focusing specifically on noise pollution from storage-related commercial activity, written to align with the tone and impact of the previous points:

4. Noise Pollution from Storage Operations

  • Industrial noise in a rural setting: The current and potential use of Steep Marsh for storage introduces inappropriate noise levels into what is a quiet, rural hamlet.
  • Disruption from vehicle movements: Early morning and late-night loading/unloading, engine idling, and reversing alarms from HGVs and vans disturb residents daily.
  • Impact on quality of life: Residents are regularly disturbed inside their homes and gardens, with outdoor enjoyment significantly affected.
  • Incompatible with National Park setting: The South Downs National Park prioritises tranquility—commercial storage operations directly undermine this core value.
  • Noise complaints and stress: Increased noise has already led to resident frustration, formal complaints.
  • Future development = more noise: Any expansion of commercial storage in Steep Marsh will further degrade the peaceful character of the community.

In addition to the above we have planning creep in that the barn alongside Great Oast is already being used for storage and in some instances as a rubbish pile – we understand that this will exceed the footprint to in excess of 150sqm

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