Expansion plans at Hadlow Down fishery and shoot

Vandalism, fly tipping, theft and poaching have led to the owner of a fishery and shoot in Hadlow Down asking for planning permission to live on the site of his business.

Plans submitted on behalf of John Cottingham say that he lives in Crowborough at the moment but an alarm system has resulted in 'a number of immensely stressful midnight visits' to the fisher to inspect the property.

Living on the site would reduce incidents - which include the burning down of a fishing lodge, since rebuilt - and also enable expansion of the business.

A planning application before Wealden Council says the Hastingford Fishery has evolved into a successful rural business since the first trout lake was dug and fishing lodge built in 1989. Planning permission has been given for a second lake.

A shoot was also established there in 2002 and operates from September to February but the service infrastructure for coporate entertaining is inadequate now and will be more so for additional business generated by the second fishing lake.

The plan now is to extend the existing fishing lodge and include a residential, live-work element within the extension.

Documents submitted with the application say: "Firstly the extension is required to comfortably accommodate existing and the additional customers the second lake will bring in and secondly, the residential element is required to increase security on site and to ensure animal welfare."