Wintons Fishery, located on the outskirts of Burgess Hill, has submitted a planning application to construct three timber glamping cabins as part of an effort to expand its operations beyond seasonal fishing.
The proposal, filed with Mid Sussex District Council through Glampitect Ltd, includes associated infrastructure such as permeable footpaths, timber decking, and new drainage systems. The site falls within both Mid Sussex and Lewes District Council jurisdictions.
According to the design and access statement included in the application, the proposed development is intended to complement the existing carp and catfish fishing business, with the goal of broadening the site’s appeal and enabling year-round operation.
“The small-scale, sustainable development will diversify the existing carp and catfish fishing business, providing subtle and discreet countryside holiday accommodation for tourists visiting the area on short breaks and weekend stays,” the statement reads.
For industry professionals, particularly those in outdoor hospitality and rural land management, the move reflects a growing trend of diversification through low-density, nature-integrated accommodations.
Operators facing seasonality or looking to optimize underutilized land may find similar developments a viable strategy for increasing revenue and improving site sustainability.
Glampitect’s plan includes environmentally conscious features, such as permeable surfaces to manage rainwater runoff and low-impact lighting to reduce disruption to local wildlife.
The cabins, which will be constructed on-site by Timber Builds, will utilize sustainable materials and construction practices. The development also includes the installation of pumping stations to connect to public drainage infrastructure.
The statement notes that while leisure fishing will cease on two lakes—Kingfisher and Heron—once the cabins are operational, the existing site access, parking area, and refuse storage will remain in use, minimizing disruption.
“This will also benefit other local businesses, services, and tourist attractions through increased visitor spend in the surrounding area,” the application states, according to a report by Sussex World.
With only three cabins proposed across a large site, the layout has been designed to maintain the rural character of the location while subtly enhancing its utility.
Native vegetation and wildflowers are planned to support local biodiversity, and no tree removals will be necessary.
For operators and landowners evaluating glamping as a potential addition to their business model, the Wintons Fishery example offers a case study in how to integrate modest-scale lodging into an existing rural enterprise while navigating planning considerations across multiple jurisdictions.