Hindleap Regeneration

For more than 50 years, Hindleap Warren has given young people unforgettable outdoor learning experiences. Thousands visit each year to build confidence, resilience and new friendships in the heart of the Ashdown Forest, many experiencing time away from home or in nature for the very first time.

To make sure we can keep providing high-quality, inclusive opportunities for the next generation, we’ve submitted a planning application to redevelop our disused pool house into a modern, accessible accommodation building.

The proposed redevelopment of the pool house will:
– Replace an existing, unused structure, not expand the site
– Provide modern, accessible accommodation, including single-occupancy leader rooms required for safeguarding
– Improve access for disabled young people and those who need level-access bedrooms
– Allow us to reconfigure current buildings to create additional leader rooms with dedicated bathrooms
– Blend sensitively into the woodland, using natural materials and a low-profile design
– Reduce environmental impact and running costs through air-source heat pumps, high-grade insulation and solar panels

This redevelopment is essential to keep Hindleap Warren safe, sustainable and fit for purpose for the thousands of young people who rely on it each year.

How you can support the application

If you’re able to, please leave a supportive comment on the Wealden District Council planning portal. Positive feedback from the community helps inform the decision-making process.

Visit the planning portal:
https://planning.wealden.gov.uk/

(Search for “Hindleap Warren” or “Pool House accommodation block”. Please include the reference number.)

Your comment can be short — a sentence or two about why Hindleap Warren matters to you, your organisation or the young people you work with is incredibly valuable.