Last year’s Ecclesbourne Glen picnic Photo Dave Reading

Country Park ‘bunker’: protest picnic

It ain’t over till it’s over! The notorious ‘Bunker’ is still there, writes HOT’s Bernard McGinley, dominating the Country Park where the East Hill segues to Ecclesbourne Glen and blighting sightlines near and far.  

Back in March, the Planning Committee of Hastings Borough Council (HBC) refused another retrospective application. The Vice-Chair of the Committee, Cllr Michael Wincott, said at that meeting:

“As some of you know, I proposed refusing the retrospective application in June of last year, and I’m very very pleased this has been recommended for refusal.  It’s long overdue.  Take it down.” [Applause]

Subsequently, an Enforcement Order was issued, ordering the owners (Rocklands Caravan Park) to demolish the building. (Please scroll down beyond photo.)

Photo BM

Game over?  No — anything but. Despite the Planning Committee’s vote to refuse a retrospective application for the Bunker, the prospect of an Appeal by the owners is high.  A private sea-view like that can be expensively defended or possibly sold on.  The planning permission known as ‘952’ [planning reference HS/FA/12/00952] is like the undead – and not easily vanquished.  This is despite the detailed opinion of a planning barrister, Christiaan Zwart.

HBC continues not to publish their counsel’s advice to the contrary, or even say who wrote it.  The causes of the landslides beside the Caravan Park  are also officially unresolved.

To remind everyone – the town, the Borough, the Council, each other, etc. – that the issue remains live, there is to be another ‘Bunker Protest Picnic’.  The event will be on Sunday 28 June, from 1p.m – 4pm on the East Hill, just to the west of the Bunker.  (The site is a short walk from the top of the East Hill funicular railway in Rock-a-Nore, Hastings Old Town.)

The Picnic will be a fun occasion – open to all – to let HBC know how much those present (and those unable to make it) care about the desecration of Hastings Country Park and the threats it remains subject to, such as unauthorised treefelling and severe administrative carelessness.

Last summer’s picnic was a big success. This year’s could be bigger — because the Bunker has a chance of survival.  Those who feel otherwise can bring placards and banners and spread the word.

Detailed discussion of the case includes the Bahcheli Report for HBC, and its Addendum. Responses included the Save Ecclesbourne Glen critique and the Detailed Comments. The Landslip was discussed in the Coffey Report and its Appendices. The geotechnical experts have done a sequel — as yet unpublished.

The Country Park remains at risk of permanent blight.   For more information on the event, contact Save Ecclesbourne Glen (SEG).

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