Find out how coronavirus is affecting the services we deliver and how we are protecting the most vulnerable.
Waste & recycling collection updates
We are doing everything we can to continue providing our waste collection services. As the situation evolves please refer to our waste and recycling service updates.
Bexhill Town Hall and Battle and Rye community help points are closed
We have taken the difficult decision to also close the reception at Bexhill Town Hall. We have installed an intercom system at the front door to enable us to continue to deal with high priority cases, but would encourage you to contact us via our website or by phone unless your visit is absolutely necessary.
Please also note that both Battle and Rye community help points also remain closed until further notice.
Car parks
We stopped charging in our car parks during the height of the pandemic to reduce the risk of infection from use of the parking machines and to allow free and easy parking for key workers and families who were isolating at home. With Government restrictions allowing greater freedom of movement for exercise we will begin charging in our car parks from Monday 18 May.
Our beaches
To help everyone to use our beaches safely, we are asking visitors to respect, protect and enjoy.
We ask visitors not to travel to our popular beaches, such as Camber Sands, on very warm days. When busy, there are stretches of beach where social distancing becomes difficult to maintain. If you do arrive at the beach and the car park is full, please visit a different local beach instead.
There is a limited lifeguard service at Camber Sands. A lifeguard service at Bexhill beach will run from 18 July to 6 September 2020.
Parks and open spaces
Our parks and open spaces are open.
Some outdoor sports facilities are now able to reopen subject to being able to comply with the Government restrictions that remain in place, including maintaining a distance of two metres from anyone from outside of your household.
Facilities now open include: tennis courts, basketball hoops, bowling greens, skate parks and BMX tracks.
Children’s playgrounds and outdoor exercise equipment are open from 13 July. Please read our guidance for enjoying these spaces safely.
Bexhill Museum is now open from 9th July 2020, from 11am to 3pm on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.
The museum will remain closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Customer Complaints
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, complaint investigations have been delayed but we are working to respond to those customers who are awaiting as soon as possible.
We have extended the complaint response to 40 working day and will be prioritising urgent complaints where there is a risk to public health and safety. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these difficult times
Strategy & Planning Service update
In compliance with current Government advice in relation to Coronavirus Rother District Council Strategy & Planning Service will be implementing the following measures in order to maintain an effective planning service.
In an attempt to limit exposure to COVID-19 all planning staff will be working remotely and there will be no face to face contact until further notice.
If anyone wishes to submit a planning application then it is strongly advised that this is done via the Planning Portal or emailed directly to planning@rother.gov.uk
Any representations in relation to planning applications/notifications should be submitted via the on line comment facility at Rother District Council – Comments on planning applications or alternatively sent via email to planning@rother.gov.uk
Please note that every effort should be made to avoid submitting anything to the planning department in paper during this time as we cannot guarantee timescales for receipt or the processing of the information.
Please see below for Planning updates sent to agents.