A camping site is seeking authorization to run for approximately two months, despite concerns about potential flooding.

Bear & Cedar Camping, situated along Chamberlaines Lane in Ringmer, has lodged a planning request with Lewes District Council’s development team.

The application documents outline hazards such as water flowing into camping zones, pathways becoming unreachable, and damage to tents and temporary buildings.

A protective buffer zone is planned to reduce the likelihood of flooding affecting guests.

Developers propose establishing a 20-metre wide exclusion area alongside the watercourse on the campsite’s southern edge to stop rising water from entering.

The planning papers indicate that the primary flood protection strategy involves positioning camping spots exclusively in areas deemed to carry reduced flood danger, with a physical barrier positioned 20 metres from the waterway. Vehicle parking would be arranged adjacent to the individual camping pitches.

No lasting constructions would be erected at the site, meaning only tents and campervans would occupy the grounds, which would substantially lessen the impact of any unexpected water surges.

Should permission be granted, the proposed timeframe for operations would span from late May through late August, with bookings spread across various days within that window.

Run by Wayne Stuckey and Gylisa Potten, the facility would be designed to house a maximum of 50 guests simultaneously.

The primary issue highlighted by council planners centres on the location’s tendency to flood and its proximity to a minor watercourse.

The grounds sit within areas classified as having moderate and high likelihood of flooding.

The flood vulnerability stems specifically from river water, which can result in inundation of camping zones, roads to the site becoming cut off, and risk to tents and temporary structures.

A thorough flood assessment has been included with the submission, detailing precautions to protect visitors.

The assessment states that an alert would be triggered for the locality if water nears the camping grounds, if routes are forecast to become flooded, or if the Environment Agency or emergency responders recommend leaving the area.

The main gate has been identified as a secure gathering spot outside the flood-prone sector.

The operators intend to enrol with the Environment Agency Flood Warning Service.

This registration would allow them to monitor flood notifications through text messages, telephone calls, emails, and internet platforms, as well as informing guests when evacuation becomes necessary.

The emergency flooding procedure also sets out step-by-step actions to be taken should a flood warning be issued or flooding occur.

These encompass guests being told to gather only vital belongings, vacate tents if circumstances demand, and promptly proceed along marked exit routes.

The operators have pledged to restrict use to summer conditions when flood dangers are anticipated to be considerably diminished.

The flood strategy was put forward following recent severe rainfall and flooding affecting Sussex.

Their own assessments showed the neighbouring stream had not overflowed.

They further noted, after discussions with the business park proprietor, that this has not occurred historically either.

Lewes District Council will determine the outcome of the application.