Residents gather in threatened countryside to protest plans they fear will permanently change the
character of their village
Residents of Hellingly came together to oppose plans for up to 280 new homes at Shawpits Farm, on land north of Mill Lane, amid concerns about flooding, sewage capacity, traffic, wildlife and the continuing loss of the village’s rural landscape.
On Tuesday 22 September, residents gathered on the public footpath running through the proposed development site with a 40 foot banner saying:
“HELLINGLY SAY NO TO DESTROYING THIS LANDSCAPE FOR 280 HOUSES”
Outline planning application WD/2026/1679/MAO has been submitted for up to 280 homes at Shawpits Farm.
Residents stress that their campaign is not about opposing new housing in principle. They believe Shawpits is the wrong place for development on this scale and fear the cumulative effect of continuing development around Hellingly is fundamentally changing the character of the village.
FLOODING AND SEWAGE
Existing flooding and sewer capacity are among residents’ greatest concerns. Flooding has repeatedly affected properties around Mill Lane and Station Road, while sewage problems in the area have previously been covered by BBC South East.
Dr Colin Tourle MBE, 83, has lived at Brook Cottage for 56 years and was a local GP for 50 years. He and his wife Jane regularly experience flooding.
“I have lived at Brook Cottage for 56 years and worked as a GP in this community for 50 years, so I have watched Hellingly change enormously. My wife Jane and I already experience regular flooding, and I am deeply concerned about the consequences of putting another development of this size into an area where flooding and drainage are already serious problems.
We need new homes, but they have to be built in the right places. I simply cannot see how adding up to 280
houses here can be sensible when existing residents are already living with flood risk.”
LIVING BESIDE THE CUCKMERE
Marie Stone, whose land at Kenwood Brook borders Mill Lane beside the River Cuckmere, has experienced the behaviour of water in the area over more than two decades.
“We have owned our land at Kenwood Brook for 22 years and over that time we have seen first-hand how water runs down from the fields and how quickly the land can become saturated. After periods of prolonged rain, the amount of water coming down Mill Lane can be incredible, with the bottom of our land and our access flooding.
With up to 280 houses proposed further up the land, we are very concerned about the additional run-off and the effect this could have, not only on our land but on other residents in the area who already experience flooding.
But it is about much more than flooding. This is a beautiful rural part of Hellingly with the River Cuckmere, fields, wildlife and an established landscape that has been here for generations. A development of this scale would permanently change the character of the area.
It would be incredible to see Shawpits Farmhouse and land considered for something that works with the natural setting rather than replacing it. A countryside retreat, spa or similar use could bring something positive to the area, giving people the opportunity to enjoy the landscape and nature while supporting wellbeing and the local community.
Once this countryside is covered with houses, that opportunity is gone forever.”
THE WIDER IMPACT ON HELLINGLY
Residents are also concerned about the additional traffic that hundreds of new homes would generate on Mill Lane, Station Road and the surrounding road network. Mill Lane retains a strongly rural character, while the historic Mill Bridge creates a particular constraint. Residents fear significantly increased traffic would make the area busier, less safe and increasingly urban in character.
Doug Lewin, Vice-Chair of Hellingly Parish Council, said:
“Hellingly has already absorbed a great deal of development, and residents are increasingly concerned about the cumulative impact on the village.
This application raises serious questions about traffic, flooding and drainage, infrastructure, ecology, heritage and the suitability of Mill Lane for development on this scale. The issue is not whether homes are needed. It is whether this is the right site for up to 280 of them, and whether the infrastructure and rural environment of Hellingly can sustain the consequences.”
A RURAL LANDSCAPE UNDER PRESSURE
Other concerns raised by villagers include flood risk and drainage, sewage capacity, highway safety, damage to wildlife and habitats, loss of agricultural land, pressure on schools and healthcare, light pollution, lack of safe pedestrian routes, distance from local facilities and the effect on nearby historic buildings.
The proposed development is close to important heritage assets, including the Grade II* listed watermill, Mill Bridge and the Grade II listed medieval Shawpits house.
Residents also question why further greenfield land should be developed while thousands of homes which already have planning permission across Wealden remain unbuilt.
Serena Schellenberg, who is helping organise the residents’ campaign, said:
“We know homes are needed, but that doesn’t mean every beautiful piece of countryside is the right place to build them.
Shawpits is part of what makes Hellingly Hellingly. It is open countryside crossed by a much-loved public
footpath, surrounded by wildlife, historic buildings and the River Cuckmere.
We are asking Wealden District Council to look at the whole picture: the flooding we already experience, our overloaded infrastructure, the traffic on rural roads, the ecology and heritage of this landscape, and the cumulative impact of development on our village.
Once a landscape like this has gone, we can never get it back.”