A camp site’s bid to secure permanent planning permission is set to go in front of councillors. 

On Thursday Wealden District Council’s planning committee north will consider an application connected to an 80-pitch camping site on the shores of the Bewl Water Reservoir near Wadhurst.

The camp site has been operating for some time, having secured a temporary planning permission in November 2020, which has allowed the site to operate between May and September each year since. 

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The camp site had already been operating in a more limited way for several years before then, as, under planning law, land can temporarily be used for camping for up to 28 days each year without planning permission.

For the most part, the application seeks to make permanent the temporary permission which expired last year, although the applicant also now wants to open between April and September — extending its period of operation by another month.

While recommended for approval, the application has seen a number of objections raised due to concerns about its impact on the High Weald National Landscape (formerly known as the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), among other concerns.

These objections have been led by a group of parish councils, itself fronted by Wadhurst Parish Council. In a statement submitted in response to the application, a parish council spokesman said: “The proposals do not protect or conserve the AONB landscape, which is particularly sensitive in this part of the AONB with open countryside and rolling hills, where the tranquil setting makes an important contribution to the landscape and intrinsic beauty of the AONB.”

The spokesman added: “A ‘Butlin's-on-Bewl’ outcome – as implied by the combination of the recent proposals … would harm the character and appearance of the area, which is known for its tranquillity and as a haven for wildlife. 

“Moreover, Bewl is a natural amphitheatre and additional noise and light would carry to the detriment of wildlife and other local residents. Sounds carries over water, so all residents (be they of the animal or human variety) would be adversely affected.”

The parish council also argues the previous planning decision had been too influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic and its effect on tourism. They argued the ‘world had changed’ since then and so the application should be viewed in a new light. 

But these concerns are not shared by Wealden planning officers, who are recommending the application be approved.  

In a report to the committee, a Wealden planning spokesman said: “The National Planning Policy Framework acknowledges that National Landscapes should be given great weight in the decision making process, however where development preserves or enhances the environment, it should not provide a reason for refusal. 

“Having carefully considered this impact, it is considered that the seasonal use of this part of Bewl Water for a camp site for up to 80 pitches between April and September, would be a modest component in an extensive landscape enclosed within the reservoir setting. 

“It has been in operation for the last three years, with Environmental Health records showing that aside from complaints back in 2021, the situation has improved and the department are not aware of further complaints since.”

For further information see application reference WD/2023/1895/MAJ on the Wealden District Council website.