Future Of Sussex Adventure Park Threatened By Cattle Market Development

An adventure park in Hailsham is asking for the public's support, after developers submitted plans to move a cattle market next door.

Knockhatch Adventure Park on the A22 Hailsham Bypass, say plans for the cattle market will have a detrimental affect on their business and would be a 'totally inappropriate' development to put next to the park:

Customers come to Knockhatch Adventure Park to enjoy all of the attraction that we have to offer, including the animals at the petting farm and zoo. We really feel that a cattle market being at the beginning of our entrance lane is totally inappropriate and the polar opposite to what we are trying to achieve, where families can come and visit animals in a lovely environment.

If the market is granted permission to relocate, the first thing that our customers will see is numerous lorries full of livestock being brought on site, which is the second to last stop for many cattle before they are lined up to be slaughtered.

The park also sites flooding and congestion as being a major issue, predicting that the already busy road, which often gets backed up all the way to the A22, could come to a standstill due to the extra vehicles servicing the market:

There will be delays on the road during the lengthy construction period. Once operating, the way the market has been designed will mean there will be huge articulated lorries, tractors and trailers and other livestock vehicles driving across the lane at least three times a day per vehicle. This will block up the lane for Knockhatch Adventure Park customers, causing more congestion in and around the area on market days.

Knockhatch says there has been no consultation by the applicants, South East Marts Ltd, despite their attempts to reach out to them and that the market plans will also put Bushy Wood Activity Centre in jeopardy:

For over 60 years, (Bushy Wood) have been bringing visitors from all over the country to a beautiful rural woodland setting. They too provide an important and growing contribution to the local economy. Their activities will be ruined by noise and smells, and by traffic shining into their property'.

In a plea for the public's help and support, Knockhatch is asking people to comment on the planning application by February 24:

https://knockhatch.com/hailsham-cattle-market-relocation

Knockhatch added:

We have 350,000 visitors a year visiting Knockhatch Adventure Park. The proposed cattle market is a significant threat to the future of the park and the other businesses on our site.

We hope that Wealden District Council will not allow Knockhatch Adventure Park’s future to be put in danger and refuse to grant planning permission as it is an unsuitable greenfield site outside of Hailsham, and the traffic and environmental impacts are too great. There are other sites better suited for the market’s relocation, including the Council’s own promoted sites.

South East Marts Ltd have been contacted for comment.