Last Saturday, two men were witnessed lighting a fire in an area of woodland in St. Helen’s Woods near St. Helen’s Wood Road, apparently to sit nearby and have a picnic. The fire quickly escalated with 10ft high flames that set fire to a tree. Without the swift intervention of our community who alerted the […]
FIRE RISK IN ST. HELEN’S WOODS – PLEASE DO NOT LIGHT FIRES OR BBQ’s IN THE WOODS Read More »
Public Safety Notice Urgent tree works are currently taking place in the northern part of St. Helen’s Woods (near the footpath leading to Dunclutha Road) to remove a Hornbeam tree. This tree has been identified as unsafe due to significant basal rot during a recent tree survey. For the safety of all visitors, paths around the Secret Pond are now
As Sussex experiences one of its driest periods in recent years, the St. Helen’s Park Preservation Society is renewing its call for Hastings Borough Council to remove the proposed Sandrock Bends development site from the Local Plan when councillors meet on August 10th. The prolonged dry weather has brought into sharp focus just how fragile our natural environment has become. Across the county, streams are running low, woodland is under increasing stress, and wildlife is facing unprecedented
Save the Date: Summer Community Fair & Art Show Saturday, 27th June | 12:00 PM – 4:30 PMLocation: St. Helen’s Church and Grounds, The Ridge. Whilst the St. Helen’s Woods Summer Fayre isn’t taking place in its usual format or place this year, local residents and supporters have organised a Summer Fair and Art Show
1. What exactly is the “Local Plan”? Why is it relevant to St. Helen’s Woods? The local plan is a blueprint for the future of Hastings up to 2041. It tells the council and developers where they can build, what they must protect, and what kind of infrastructure (like schools or roads) is needed to
Hastings Borough Council Local Plan Consultation: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Read More »
We’ve just learned that land developer Gladman has submitted new/revised plans for the proposed development on The Ridge. More than 700 comments were uploaded about this to the Hastings Borough Council website last year – mostly from concerned Hastings and St. Leonards residents. Objections were also received from the Campaign for the Protection of Rural
STOP PRESS: New plans submitted for development on The Ridge…watch this space. Read More »
Following advice from professional ecologists and hydrologists, a small area of the St. Helen’s Woods nature reserve is closed to the public for several months to allow for essential woodland management work. This area lies to the south/west of the unmade section of St. Helen’s Park Road (adjacent to Shining Cliff) and also borders the
Closure of an area of St. Helen’s Woods to enable woodland restoration Read More »
An outline planning application for a new housing development on The Ridge, alongside the St. Helen’s Woods nature reserve, has now been submitted to Hastings Borough Council (April 2025). ACT NOW – make sure your voice is heard. All comments must be received by May 23rd. Find out more about what’s happening and what you
Did you know the St. Helen’s Park Preservation Society has been around since 1955? Founded by a passionate community of “life members,” the society has worked tirelessly to protect and preserve the beautiful St. Helen’s Woods nature reserve.
