A planning application has been submitted to Hastings Borough Council seeking formal permission for recreational fishing at Ecclesbourne Reservoir, located within Hastings Country Park.
The proposal has been submitted on behalf of Shear Barn Holiday Park, which is situated nearby but not directly connected to the proposed fishing operation.
According to the application, fishing has occurred at the reservoir since at least 2007 without formal approval.
A similar application was submitted in 2015 but was refused on the grounds of insufficient ecological enhancements, although the council reportedly raised no objection to the fishing activity itself.
The latest proposal includes several measures aimed at addressing previous concerns. These include the removal of a fishing area, or “swim,” located within 15 metres of adjacent ancient woodland.
Additional steps include the installation of fencing to restrict access to the ancient woodland buffer zone and educational signage to deter entry into ecologically sensitive areas.
Floating islands with aquatic vegetation have also been proposed to support habitat enhancement in the reservoir, according to the Argus.
“The council had previously indicated support for the application, subject to these enhancements and measures,” the planning documents state.
Visitors wishing to fish at the reservoir will be required to obtain a key from the reception desk at Shear Barn Holiday Park. Day tickets will be available for purchase either in person, via phone, or by email.
The reservoir and surrounding area will remain a private site, with fishing strictly limited to ten day-ticket holders per day, aligning with the number of designated swims available. Fishing will be permitted only between dawn and dusk, and night fishing will not be allowed.
Access to the site will be through a public car park, and there will be no overlap in amenities or services between the reservoir and the holiday park itself.
Although the fishing operation will be administered through Shear Barn’s reception, the reservoir will remain operationally and physically separate from the accommodation facilities.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality and caravan sectors, the proposal reflects an example of land use diversification that supports responsible environmental stewardship.
It also illustrates how recreational amenities, when carefully managed and permitted, can enhance the appeal of nearby accommodation without requiring full integration into core lodging operations.
The outcome of the application may set a precedent for similar facilities seeking to formalize and manage recreational activities on adjacent or nearby land parcels. No official decision has yet been made by the council.