Campsite plans reconsidered after High Court bid

Camping facilities in East Sussex will go before the Planning Inspectorate for a second time after a High Court challenge.

Wealden District Council took the agency to court after Wellshurst Golf and County Club, near Hailsham, won planning consent for the scheme on appeal against the council's initial refusal.

The council, inspectorate and developer agreed prior to a trial that a new inspector would redo the appeal, according to a court document.

The council said this was a "triumph for environmental protection" but a spokesperson for the developer said the inspectorate has merely "agreed to relook at a minor part" of the decision.

A Planning Inspectorate spokesperson said they cannot comment as the issue "remains a live case".

The proposal would see 18 caravan spaces, six "lodge-style pods", and a shower and office block built on unused golf club land.

Camping facilities "would greatly support" continued growth of the business, the club said in planning documents.

Wealden District Council denied planning consent to the scheme in 2023, claiming the scheme would "result in direct and indirect effects" on "irreplaceable" ancient woodland nearby.

The golf club's owner, Downsview Leisure, successfully appealed the council's decision in 2024.

It accused the council of taking "a rather subjective view and narrow view" on issues that could be "easily controlled or remedied".

The council said in appeal documents that the plans "clearly conflict with policy requirements to protect irreplaceable habitat" and do not "respect the intrinsic character of the countryside".

The Planning Inspectorate said in its decision that conditions on planning permission would "directly address most, if not all, the concerns raised".

Following the High Court order, Wealden District Council said it was "concerned the planning inspector had failed to properly assess the effects on the ancient woodland" of development.

A spokesperson for the developer said: "The inspectorate agreed to relook at a minor part of the proposal and standing advice in respect of 15m buffer zones around ancient woodland."

They added that "no part" of the development would be within designated ancient woodland and they "await this further updated appeal assessment".

The Planning Inspectorate will pay the developer's £11,000 legal costs from the High Court challenge, according to the court order.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.