URGENT: Sandrock Bends planning application update – action needed now!
A major housing developer, Gladman Ltd, has submitted revised planning documents to Hastings Borough Council for the proposed Sandrock Bends development on The Ridge.
Last year, more than 700 objections were lodged against this proposal. Unfortunately, the revised plans do very little to address the serious concerns raised by local residents, council specialists, and independent experts in ecology and hydrology – even East Sussex County Council’s own county ecologist.
St Helen’s Woods remains at significant risk, with potential impacts including:
Loss of irreplaceable habitat
Increased surface water and flooding
Soil erosion, land instability and landslip
Take action now
👉 Attend the public meeting on Tuesday 3rd February
👉 Submit your objections during the consultation period (open now)
Every comment matters!
Public meeting: critical moment for Sandrock Bends
🕖 7.00pm, Tuesday 3rd February
📍 St Helen’s Church, The Ridge
This public meeting has been organised by the Save Sandrock Bends campaign group, in partnership with the St Helen’s Park Preservation Society. This is a crucial opportunity to understand the latest developments and make your voice heard. Please attend if you can.
Latest plans: what’s changed – and what hasn’t
We are currently reviewing the newly submitted planning documents. While a full analysis is ongoing, it is already clear that the revised proposals are largely unchanged and fail to address key objections raised previously.
Key concerns include:
The developer has ignored the Council’s own arborist, who required retention of the large central hedgerow
Biodiversity loss is proposed to be “offset” outside Hastings, rather than protecting nature locally
Independent expert evidence warning of serious flood risk, land subsidence and landslip has been dismissed
Crucially, even the developer’s own updated Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) report states:
“The application presents an unacceptable on-site/off-site flood risk.”
Additional issues include dangerous access points, increased traffic on The Ridge, and risks to pedestrian safety. Further details are available via the Save Sandrock Bends campaign updates.
We are continuing to consult with experts and will share further findings shortly.
Action needed now – consultation open for two weeks only
⏰ Deadline: Friday 6th February
Please submit your comments and objections via the Hastings Borough Council planning portal:
👉 Submit comments here:
https://publicaccess.hastings.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=_HSTBC_DCAPR_122270
Draft Local Plan: Sandrock Bends included
Hastings Borough Council’s Draft Local Plan includes the Sandrock Bends site, with an indicative capacity of 120–140 houses (Site reference HS1, page 94).
Relevant sections also appear on:
Pages 111 and 122
Sections 6.14–6.24 (Sandrock Bends)
Following the Cabinet meeting on 26th January, a six-week public consultation will open. Once confirmed, we will provide clear guidance on how to respond.
Other ways you can help
📍 Attend the public meeting on 3rd February
📢 Share this information with friends and neighbours
💬 Post in local social media and WhatsApp groups
📰 Submit articles to local newsletters or publications
✉️ Write to your local councillors
✍️ Support or start a petition
Offer your expertise in social media, campaigning, planning etc.
Volunteer to produce and distribute leaflets.
This is a fast-moving situation. More information will be shared at the public meeting, and further updates will follow shortly.
Your voice matters!
Please act now to help protect Sandrock Bends and our local environment.