A campsite in East Sussex is seeking retrospective planning permission for eight glamping tents that were installed in 2021. The operator, Battle Pods & Bells, submitted an application to Rother District Council requesting consent for eight bell tents located at 1 Great Wood Cottages on Marley Lane.
According to the documents filed with the council, the tents were placed on-site in May 2021 and are used seasonally from May through September.
The company describes its accommodation on its website as “a collection of beautifully-appointed off-grid camping pods and bell tents in the heart of 1066 country.”
The application notes that the site also includes four portable glamping pods that already hold planning permission. These units are rented out alongside moveable toilets and showers, which were approved under an earlier consent, according to The Argus.
The filing outlines how the business manages its operations, including waste management and guest access. Guests are asked to remove their own waste for disposal or recycling once they leave the site.
“We operate a ‘leave no trace’ policy on the site,” the operator stated in the planning documents. “On the rare occasion waste is left on site, the waste is bagged up by the customer, and we dispose of it at the local refuse point.”
Parking and access were also addressed in the application. Battle Pods & Bells provides 12 parking spaces situated approximately 100 metres from the accommodation area. Guests are offered wheelbarrows to transport their belongings. The operator said the arrangement is intended to minimize vehicle movement near the tents and “preserve tranquillity” for visitors.
The campsite has been active since 2021 and currently maintains a 4.95 out of 5 rating on Campsites.co.uk. User reviews referenced in the planning application include comments from guests who praised the cleanliness, comfort, and service.
One reviewer, Luisa B, said: “A lovely site with everything that we needed for a night of glamping. The owners were friendly and helpful. The bell tents are spacious with comfortable beds. The facilities were clean and well-kept. It was great to be able to rent the BBQ and fire pit and to buy logs on site.”
Another guest, Anya H, said: “Perfect for a trip out of London with friends. Right in nature, and a great pub close by. There were really comfy beds in the bell tent, we slept so well. Amazing service. And perfect to be close to Battle, Hastings, St Leonard’s and Rye. Thank you!”
For outdoor hospitality operators, the application highlights several operational considerations relevant to small-scale glamping sites, including the role of seasonal openings, the use of low-impact structures, strategies to reduce vehicle presence near accommodation areas, and guest-managed waste systems.
Such approaches continue to feature in planning discussions as local councils weigh visitor experiences against environmental and community impacts.
Rother District Council is currently reviewing the proposal. The plans can be viewed under reference RR/2025/1615/P.