Rother and Hastings update December 2025

Welcome to your 2025 recap for Rother District and Hastings Borough!

This year has been one of the toughest for the countryside yet, with government policy and rhetoric turning powerfully against nature and wildlife. Sussex’s landscapes are now under active attack, and sadly Rother District and Hastings Borough are no exception. There have been hard-fought battles for our countryside – but some incredible victories too.

From stopping harmful development in Hurst Green to backing community-led projects like Battle Solar Town, we’ve worked tirelessly to protect the High Weald’s landscapes, wildlife, and dark skies.

As we end 2025, we’re reflecting on our success against developers, ongoing fights for green spaces in Hastings, and an exciting community initiative. Plus, we share what’s coming in 2026 — and how you can make your voice heard in key consultations.

Hurst Green development win

We were absolutely thrilled by the win against developers in Hurst Green this year. We originally objected to their application to build up to seven dwellings and associated infrastructure within the High Weald National Landscape in 2024. The application would have seen 170m of ancient hedgerow removed, as well as dormice and priority species bats disturbed. The proposed site was also in a dark skies area (hoping to achieve formal certification, as you can read more on below) and already contending with the busy A21 nearby.

The Rother Planning Committee took heed and refused the application in September 2024. The developers appealed but this was refused in November of this year – victory! This was a great example of local decision-makers standing up for what is right: protecting rural Sussex communities and the countryside.

Fighting for Hastings green spaces

We have objected to a proposed development of 65 dwellings in Hastings, which would remove a key green corridor between St Helen’s Woods and the High Weald countryside. We were proud to support local group St Helen’s Park Preservation Society and attend one of their meetings earlier on this year.

We objected to this application on the grounds of inadequate drainage but also the terrible impact it would have on the surrounding ecology and landscape. The proposed site sits alongside the St Helens Woods Nature Reserve, located within the High Weald National Character Area. This is landscape that should be respected and protected.

This application is still pending and we will be following it closely.

Local plan updates

The timetable for the new Rother Local Plan was redrawn this year, but the latest update suggests that there will be a public consultation in January 2026 focusing on proposed site allocations. There should be a final submission at the end of the year.

Hastings is also planning a public consultation on its emerging Local Plan at the beginning of 2026. See more on this here.

So get ready to get your comments in!

Backing dark skies

We are pleased to have given our formal backing to a project bidding to achieve the Dark Sky Community certification for a number of parishes in the High Weald. Dark skies are one of the special qualities of the High Weald National Landscape, and the project would see communities work to reduce the impact of lighting on our ability to see the stunning Milky Way. Achieving community certification status would provide numerous benefits to these High Weald parish residents: reduced light pollution, enhanced environmental protection and improved public health. We look forward to following this project and wish it the very best!

Battle Solar Town project

We were also delighted to meet with representatives from the Battle Solar Town project earlier this year. This is an ambitious project to generate at least 25% of Battle’s electricity within the town from solar technology. The focus is on community-owned, rooftop solar benefiting local people. We love this project – it’s the community-led, serving local needs sustainably. It’s a prime example of renewables done right! Check out their website here.

Rother Council ‘back rights for trees’

Finally – we were happy to see Rother District Council passing a motion to protect the rights of trees. We hope it leads to further practical actions to preserve existing trees in the district, with the many benefits that they provide the world around them.

Thank you

We are so grateful for all of your support in 2025. It’s been an especially tough year for the countryside, nature, climate and our beautiful landscapes, with a government that has seemingly declared war on the environment in both rhetoric and policy. It’s down to the support of people like you that we can continue to stand up and defend Sussex’s green spaces. Thank you for helping us to stand up for the Sussex countryside. We look forward to defending it, together, in 2026!

PS – don’t forget that you can give the gift of CPRE membership this Christmas!

Do you know somebody who loves the Sussex countryside as much as you do? And do you want to give a gift that lasts all year long?

You can buy individual or household CPRE Sussex membership as a gift. As you know, membership comes with a host of benefits including discounts on events and access to houses and gardens across the county – plus the knowledge that you are helping to shape a greener future for Sussex.

Give the gift of CPRE membership.