Peelings Lane in Westham and Why it Matters

Few places in East Sussex capture the character of the countryside quite like Peelings Lane in Westham. Bordered by hedgerows, fields and far-reaching views towards the Pevensey Levels and Pevensey Castle, this quiet, narrow rural lane is treasured by walkers, joggers, dog walkers, cyclists, horse riders and families who value it as a place of peace, beauty and connection with nature.

Today, that landscape faces an uncertain future.

Planning application WD/2025/2269/MAO seeks outline permission for up to 150 houses on land north of Peelings Lane. In response, local residents formed Friends of Peelings Lane, bringing together hundreds of people who share a common belief that this very special place deserves protection.

Our concerns extend far beyond the loss of open countryside. The proposed development lies immediately adjacent to the Pevensey Levels, an internationally protected wetland designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Ramsar site of international importance for its exceptional ecological value. These rare habitats support species including water voles, lapwing, marsh harrier, reed warbler, great crested newts and many others. Residents fear that increased pressure on drainage, water quality and inevitable habitat disruption will have long-term consequences for this unique environment and its sensitive ecosystems.

Perhaps most importantly, Peelings Lane represents something that cannot easily be replaced. It is part of the historic setting of Westham and forms part of the wider landscape enjoyed by thousands of people each year. Public footpaths provide views towards the Roman fort of Anderida and Pevensey Castle, linking the area’s natural beauty with nearly two thousand years of history. The lane is also crossed by the nationally recognised 1066 Country Walk and the E9 European long-distance coastal path – a route stretching from Estonia to Portugal, chosen to pass through this area because of its rural character. The lane itself offers a rare opportunity to slow down, enjoy birdsong, watch wildlife and experience the tranquillity that is increasingly disappearing from modern life.

Friends of Peelings Lane are not opposed to progress. Rather, we believe that development must respect the landscapes, heritage and communities that make places special. Once lost, these qualities cannot be recreated.

Our hope is simple: that future generations will still be able to walk this peaceful country lane, experience its beauty and wildlife, and understand why so many people care so deeply about protecting this remarkable corner of Sussex.

Because some places are more than land – they are part of a community’s memory, wellbeing and identity.

Friends of Peelings Lane
info@friendsofpeelingslane.co.uk

Guidance for Objecting to the Peelings Lane Planning Application

Submitting Objections to Planning Application WD/2025/2269/MAO

The proposed Bellway development at Land in Peelings Lane involves the construction of up to 150 dwellings. Wealden District Council has invited comments on Planning Application WD/2025/2269/MAO to be submitted by 6^th July 2026. However, it is worth noting that late comments or objections may still be considered by the case officer before a decision is reached.

You can submit your objection or comments through several channels:

Online via the Wealden District Council Planning Application Online System, which is Wealden’s preferred method
By email to: planning@wealden.gov.uk
By post to: Planning Applications, WDC, Council Offices, Vicarage Lane, Hailsham, BN27 2AX
Please ensure you clearly state the planning application number WD/2025/2269/MAO and provide your name and address, otherwise your comments may not be taken into account.

Making Your Objection Count

Planning officers give much greater weight to objections that are individual and personalised. If many objections appear to be copied and pasted, they may be treated as a single representation. To make your objection as effective as possible, you could tailor it using the following suggestions:

Begin by introducing yourself and your connection to Peelings Lane or the surrounding area. You might mention how long you have lived locally, how you use Peelings Lane, such as walking, jogging, horse riding, cycling, dog walking, or walking children to school, and why the lane is important to you, your family, or the wider community.

You could also include one or two points that reflect your personal experience, such as:

“My property has experienced surface water flooding before.”
“I regularly see birds of prey, bats, or hedgehogs along the lane.”

These observations are particularly relevant when linked to issues like safety, flooding, local wildlife, or the tranquillity of the area.

When outlining your specific objections, you could use any or all of the following planning points. To make your objection appear unique, rearrange the order of these points. It is also helpful to summarise the reasons for your objections in your own words.

Highway Safety, Traffic & Congestion – Concerns about increased traffic volume and its implications for local roads.
Loss of Local Amenity – The loss of a quiet walking route and other community benefits.
Impact on the Pevensey Levels – The site is extremely close to internationally protected wetland areas, including SSSI, SAC and Ramsar designations.
Flooding & Drainage Concerns – Issues relating to high groundwater levels and poor drainage in the area.
Pressure on Local Services – Local GP surgeries and other services are already struggling to meet demand.
Lack of Infrastructure – Increased demand for water supply and wastewater management.
Harm to Rural Character of Lane – Impact on the unspoilt rural environment of the lane.
Ecology and Biodiversity Loss – Permanent reduction in the area’s biodiversity value.
Inappropriate Location – The scale of development is not suitable for this rural landscape.

Use your own closing sentence to help ensure each objection is seen as distinct. Example closing phrases include:

“For the reasons above, I urge the council to refuse this application.”
“Given the severity of these concerns, I strongly object to the proposal.”
“This application is unsuitable for Peelings Lane and must be refused.”

Your Involvement Matters

This planning proposal is significant and could have detrimental and far-reaching consequences for Peelings Lane and the wider community. It is vital that as many people as possible submit individual objections or comments, ideally more than one per household. Peelings Lane needs your support and so does the village of Westham. Thank you for standing with The Friends of Peelings Lane.

Do you love Peelings Lane?

Whether it’s the nature, the walks, the history or the sense of community, we want to bring people together to protect and enjoy this special place.

Friends of Peelings Lane – Community Invitation

As many of you may know, a small group of us have been working together for some time, positively and respectfully trying to protect Peelings Lane from any future building developments. We have decided to strengthen our efforts and have now formed under the name Friends of Peelings Lane.

We believe that if we come together as a wider community, we will be stronger and stand a better chance of achieving the outcome we all want. The threat of development along the north of Peelings Lane is now greater than ever, and it is vital that as many voices as possible are heard.

We warmly invite all local and wider community residents who share our concerns to join us. Our plan is to create a strong community campaign. To do this effectively, we need to build a group of volunteers who would be willing to contribute their time, knowledge and skills.

If you are receiving this email, you will have given us your contact details in the past and we are now reaching out to ask for your support.

We are especially looking for people with experience in areas such as:

Planning, building, highways, water, drainage/flood risk, archaeological, environmental, ecology, wildlife and legal matters.
IT, communication, graphic design, printing, marketing and campaigning.
Those who can help in practical ways, such as leaflet drops, fundraising, or volunteering in other capacities we may not have thought of yet.

Every bit of help would make a real difference.