Whose Haven?
Caravan Expansion Threatens Wildlife Access, Say Objectors
Combe Haven has operated as a holiday park in West St Leonards for over 60 years, an institution which has brought several generations of tourists to the town. Owners of, and visitors to, its 900-odd static caravans are served by a variety of leisure facilities, both indoor and outdoor, spread over the site’s 96 acres. They also benefit from ready access to the adjacent Countryside Park, kept protected by its status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
So far in its history there has been little clash of interests between the holiday park, which is run by Haven Leisure, and its neighbours. The facilities within the holiday area have been developed and updated from time to time to keep pace with changing fashions. There was a shift, for instance, some years ago when the pitch and putt area at the northeastern end of the site was re-purposed for foot-golf, which may or may not have been regarded as more attractive by holidaymakers, but in any event required less maintenance and reduced a perceived health and safety risk.
This year, however, when Haven Leisure applied for planning permission to build over the foot-golf area with 15 new two-bedroom static caravans, serious objections were raised.
The basis of the application is simply the operators’ desire to increase its revenue stream from the additional units so as to “keep competitive”, while providing a “seamless continuation of its facilities and character,” according to its planning design and access statement.
Objectors argue that adding more caravans to the site will expose neighbouring residential households in Reedswood Road to more noise and antisocial behaviour of holidaymakers. There is already a history of disturbances confirmed by regular police call-outs.
More particularly, they say that the foot-golf area currently offers a significant green space between the existing caravans and these permanent residences, providing a haven for wildlife. The back gardens accommodate birds (including owls), badgers, hedgehogs, frogs, toads, newts, snakes, insects including pollinators, foxes, rabbits and bats, all benefitting from the corridor of woodland and green clearing that runs directly up from the edge of the Countryside Park. Filling the space with more caravans is likely to deter and displace these animals.
The NatureSpace Partnership, which employs a Newt Officer funded by Natural England to advise Hastings Borough Council on protection of great crested newts, has lodged a planning response challenging the operators to demonstrate that their proposal will not have an adverse impact on the local newt population.
An e-petition setting out objections has garnered, at the time of going to press, over 150 signatories. It will be open for more signatures up to 23 December. There is likely to be a contested hearing before Hastings Borough Council’s planning committee some time in the New Year.
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