Old Staplecross clay pit can be filled in

At a virtual meeting on Wednesday (May 20), East Sussex County Council’s planning committee approved proposals to fill in a former clay pit at the premises of Chalk Down Lime Limited, a building supplier based in Staplecross.

According to the applicant, the pit poses a danger to those working on site and would be filled in with inert materials to create more room.

Before making its decision, the committee heard how the pit was considered to be a “historic feature” by Rother District Council and the High Weald unit – a group which advises on development in the protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

In a letter laying out the group’s objections, a planning advisor for the unit said: “Water systems are a key landscape component identified in the High Weald AONB Management Plan.

“The fact that the pond has been poorly managed in recent years should not be used as a reason for removing this historic feature. The pond is still capable of restoration and funding is available for such works.

“The suggestion in the ecological report that the feature is not really a pond because it was created by quarrying is not correct. Most of the ponds in the High Weald were created in this way and are therefore part of the cultural heritage of the area as well as being, or having the potential to be, part of its environmental assets.”

The planning advisor goes on to say the pit could still be restored as a valuable habitat, and so the application should be refused. This view was shared by Rother District Council.

This view was not shared by committee members, however.

Among those to argue in favour of filling the pit was Cllr Kathryn Field (Lib Dem, Battle and Crowhurst), who said: “When I read the paragraph in the papers where Rother District Council describes the beauty of this pond I have to say it sounded absolutely delightful.

“But having looked at the pictures, I realise this is a site – which I have driven past innumerable times – which isn’t beautiful. It is not part of the landscape and it probably constitutes a danger to the workers.

“I would therefore be happy to propose we accept this application.”

The proposals were also supported by ward councillor Anghared Davies, who shared the view that the pit posed a safety issue to those at the business. 

She said: “Chalk Down Lime is an excellent small company employing local people just outside of Staplecross village. It enjoys the approval of local residents and it contributes to local community events.

“The old clay pit cannot be described as a beautiful rural pond. It is not a pond and neither could it arguably be restored as a pond. It is a clay pit with hazardous graduated sides, sloping down to a muddy base.

“The problem is this is in the centre of the yard, more or less, and massively impinges on the turning area for lorries and machinery. When I visited I realised it would be so easy for a wheel or a  whole lorry to tumble down the side of the pit.

“This pit needs to be infilled so that [business owner] Declan Reed’s employees and visitors can work safely and efficiently.”

After a brief discussion the proposal was unanimously approved. The approval includes conditions intended to prevent harm to any great crested newts which may potentially be on the site.

For further details of the proposals, see application reference RR/827/CM on the East Sussex County Council website.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.