Southern Water are allowing property development at their largest reservoir, Bewl Water, despite ecological evidence that it risks the abandonment of Britain’s largest Common Gull roost (at Bewl) with national and international adverse consequences.

Bewl Water Reservoir (owned by Southern Water) is a haven for wildlife with incredible biodiversity. It is treasured by the local community as a unique and beautiful part of the High Weald AONB where people can connect with nature and learn to row and sail. East Sussex Council call Bewl “A tranquil and remote area of the High Weald”… “a mysterious ‘wilderness”.

Despite this, there is persistent pressure to develop the site with a publicly stated aim to turn Bewl into a centre parcs type facility. We want Southern Water and Wealden Planning to prioritise local wildlife (especially the gull roost) and natural beauty over development.

Bewl Water provides refuge to over 10% of the national population of the Common Gull as well as tens of thousands of Black-headed Gull (both amber listed species) and is one of the largest inland refuges for all water birds nationally including an incredible 122,000 waterbirds on a single occasion. Site abandonment would have national and international implications.

This has led to Sussex Wildlife Trust, RSPB Tonbridge, the Council for the Protection of Rural England and the Parish Council writing an open letter to Southern Water asking it to stop development and reminding them that Natural England is considering  the site for national and international protection. But this may come too late if planning is approved and diggers have already moved in. The High Weald AONB, Sussex Ornithological Society and users of Bewl such as the ramblers and rowers and sailors have also objected to planning applications.

Right now there are drip fed planning applications for new property developments on the waterfront and unchecked commercialisation of the site, including a large inflatable waterpark (built without planning despite local authority notices to do so), laser challenge, advertising to hens and stags and sports car meets. 

This change to holiday village and aqua theme park is destroying the character of this beautiful and tranquil local wildlife site, damaging biodiversity, disrupting and discouraging the surrounding wildlife and reducing public facilities and access. 

Of particular concern is the proposed change from daytime visitors only with very little human disturbance when the Gulls are roosting, to overnight holiday apartments with lit balconies and outdoor hot tubs within 300m of the Gull roost.  An independent ecological review showed roosting sites are abandoned when they experience even small amounts of human evening disturbance (light and noise) and that Bewl is unusual as there are no alternative roosting sites nearby, increasing risk to the birds. 

Bewl is also classified as a Local Wildlife Site with 472 protected and designated species, including 20 types of dragonflies, damselflies, declining pollinators such as bees and butterflies, small mammals, 9 types of bat, amphibians and reptiles. 171 bird species have been recorded.

We have until it is discussed at Wealden’s planning meeting (on 7 December) to make our views known. Wealden's planning officer has recommended permission is granted.

Southern Water is permitting these changes despite legal duties to protect biodiversity, public access and the AONB. It is ignoring the views of wildlife charities, current users and the local community. 

Please sign this petition to send a clear message to Southern Water and Wealden Planning that wildlife must be protected from development and urbanisation and the countryside must be conserved and enhanced for future generations.

To request a copy of the open letter or email please contact us through change.org.