Home / Environment / Bewl Water Holiday Lets Denied
Bewl Water Holiday Lets Denied
27 Feb
Summary
- Holiday apartment plans at Bewl Water were unanimously refused by councillors.
- The refusal cited harm to the dark skies of the High Weald National Landscape.
- Objectors cited concerns over wildlife impact from noise and disturbance.
Councillors have unanimously refused controversial plans to convert buildings at Bewl Water reservoir into 11 holiday apartments. The application by Bewl Events and Waterparks Ltd for the site near Wadhurst, East Sussex, was rejected primarily due to concerns about harming the dark skies within the High Weald National Landscape.
Ward councillor Johanna Howell emphasized Bewl Water's significance as a biodiversity site, noting its potential designation as a Special Protection Area (SPA). She argued that year-round occupation, night lighting, and increased disturbance would be catastrophic for vulnerable winter bird populations.
Despite the applicant's claims that new designs would mitigate lighting impacts and overcome previous refusals, the council's committee made its decision on narrower grounds than those initially advocated by objectors. Over 153 letters of objection were received, alongside a petition signed by over 80,000 people, highlighting significant public opposition.
Planning officers, who had recommended approval, noted they had not received a definitive response from Natural England regarding potential SPA status. This prevented the site from being formally considered a potential SPA by the committee, influencing the final decision-making process.
