Sussex permanent campsite bid rejected by council

One councillor argued that making the site permanent would amount to "thuggery" against the natural habitat in the High Weald

Calls to make an 80-pitch campsite in East Sussex permanent have been rejected by the local council over concerns about its impact on nature.

Wealden District Council's (WDC) north planning committee refused the application to make permanent an existing temporary planning permission at the site near Wadhurst, East Sussex, despite it being recommended for approval.

The site, on the shores of Bewl Water, has been operating since November 2020.

Critics had raised concerns about the impact of camping on wildlife at Bewl as well as the High Weald National Landscape, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

Bewl Water is an 800-acre parkland and reservoir on the border between East Sussex and Kent.

Councillor Johanna Howell told the committee permanent permissions would bring a "Center Parcs type development to Sussex" and amount to "thuggery" against natural habitats.

Ms Howell said: "We are told we will benefit from tourism; no we won’t. That will go to Kent.

"We don’t need the pressure on nature and habitat. This will be corporate business winning over nature. This will be thuggery and I for one want no part of it.”

The temporary permission allowed the site to operate between May and September each year.

Approval of the permanent application would have seen this extended to between April and September.

However, Councillor Gareth Owen-Williams told the committee that in three years since the temporary application was given there had been "very little complaints"

The campsite, on the shores of Bewl Water, has been operating under a temporary planning permission since November 2020

He added: “Families are struggling.

"I think if there is cheap accommodation which enables ordinary people to have access to the beautiful natural environment we are lucky enough to have, I don’t see a problem with that, as long as it is not causing a problem.”

Councillors also refused an application to erect four yurts (two of which are already in-situ) and to retain a portacabin containing toilet and wash facilities at Bewl Water.

The site can still be used for camping, as under planning law land can temporarily be used for camping for up to 28 days a year without planning permission.