East Sussex farmland converted into Gypsy caravan site

The proposal, for a site in Randalls Farm, Whitesmith, north-west of Hailsham, seeks retrospective approval for five pitches intended for Gypsy and Traveller families.

The development was mostly completed by April 14, 2022, without prior planning consent.

The site is currently used as a residential caravan site, with an equestrian paddock at the rear.

The site was built without planning permission (Image: Google) The council was informed in April 2022 that the site was being used for residential purposes by Gypsies and Travellers.

The council subsequently issued an enforcement notice, requiring the removal of caravans, hardstanding, and fencing, and the reinstatement of a removed hedgerow section.

The site seen from above (Image: Google) A planning application was submitted in June 2023, seeking permission for five static and four touring caravans associated with four Gypsy and Traveller pitches on Randalls Farm.

This application was rejected in September 2023.

The proposed site layout (Image: WS Planning and Architecture) An appeal against this decision was initiated in October 2023 and was successful in February 2025, when the decision was overturned.

However, the decision was only overturned on the condition that access to the site was improved, which did not happen, resulting in a breach of the approval granted in February 2025.

The site's current entrance, which planning officers said is not suitable for large vehicles (Image: Google) A similar application has now been submitted, detailing a 0.9-hectare site split into four plots, with one of the four plots containing two pitches.

Part of the site is laid to hardstanding with loose gravel on a permeable base, while the remainder is grazing land.

The proposal includes creating a new entrance, seen here (Image: WS Planning and Architecture) Read more:

The plots are currently separated by post and rail fencing.

The new planning application proposes relocating the entrance to what it says is a safer location.

The plans are under consideration with Wealden District Council, and can be viewed using the reference WD/2025/1844/FR.