East Sussex Camping Proposal Heads for Second Appeal After High Court Challenge

Camping facility development plans at Wellshurst Golf and Country Club in East Sussex will undergo a second appeal process after a legal challenge overturned a previously granted planning approval. 

The appeal will be reheard by a new Planning Inspectorate representative, following a High Court decision that arose from Wealden District Council’s legal action against the initial appeal ruling.

The council originally rejected the proposal in 2023, citing concerns about the potential impact on nearby ancient woodland. 

The plans, submitted by Downsview Leisure, the owner of the golf club, include 18 caravan pitches, six lodge-style pods, and a combined shower and office block on unused portions of the property. 

The club noted in its planning application that the additional camping facilities “would greatly support” the business’s ongoing development.

Downsview Leisure appealed the council’s refusal and won planning permission in early 2024. 

However, the council challenged the outcome in the High Court, arguing that the Planning Inspectorate had failed to fully assess the environmental implications of the proposal. 

Specifically, the council contended that the development “clearly conflict[s] with policy requirements to protect irreplaceable habitat” and does not “respect the intrinsic character of the countryside.”

According to court documents, all parties—the council, the Planning Inspectorate, and the developer—agreed prior to a trial that the appeal would be revisited. 

A spokesperson for the council described this development as a “triumph for environmental protection,” while a representative of the developer maintained that the Inspectorate had only “agreed to relook at a minor part” of the proposal, particularly regarding buffer zones around ancient woodland.

According to a BBC report, the Planning Inspectorate declined to comment, citing the case’s ongoing status.

Under the terms of the High Court order, the Inspectorate will cover the developer’s £11,000 legal costs incurred during the challenge. 

The developer has reiterated that “no part” of the project would be situated within designated ancient woodland and confirmed they are awaiting the updated appeal decision.

For professionals in the outdoor hospitality, glamping, and caravan sectors, this case underscores the regulatory complexities of developing new sites, especially in areas with environmental protections. 

Operators considering expansion should be prepared for prolonged planning processes and ensure thorough environmental assessments are part of their planning submissions to mitigate potential legal hurdles.