History Of Campaign

Church Wood SCNI and Robsack Wood together constitute a Local Nature Reserve (declared in 2004).  Both are designated as semi natural Ancient Woodland (Whitbread, Barton & Hutton 1989).  

In July 2004 Councillor Pam Brown, Mayor of Hastings declared Churchwood and Robsack Wood an official Local Nature Reserve. Cllr. Brown said “this Nature Reserve is an exciting and very welcome addition to other Nature Reserves which have already been created in the Borough. Churchwood and Robsack Wood are a true partnership between English Nature (now Natural England), Biffa, the Council, local community, church, school and BTCV – all are congratulated for contributing to a secure future for this ancient woodland and all the creatures who live there”. 

Cllr. Joy Kramer said “this area of woodland is a huge asset to the Hollington area and indeed the rest of Hastings and St. Leonard’s. I am sure the nature reserve will be highly used by everyone in the area”.

However, many residents were not aware that a part of Robsack Wood was excluded from the Local Nature Reserve Boundaries – this exclusion was explained by the council as a “safeguard” for any access that may be necessary for any future development on Robsack Meadow. 

Church Wood has a narrow woodland tongue that extends southward from the main body of the wood along a steep bank on the western border of the Robsack meadow.  On many maps a quite wide gap is shown between the Church Wood extension and Robsack Wood.  In reality this gap is only ‘farm gateway’ width and the Ancient Woodland strip joining Church Wood and Robsack Wood is effectively continuous.  This connecting strip is recorded by Natural England as Ancient Woodland with only a small gap. The canopy overhead is continuous and is recorded as a wildlife corridor. 

At some point in time Hastings Council acquired ownership of the majority of the woods and surrounding meadowland/fields. We understand that in the past these grassland areas were used for grazing and other agricultural activities by local farms. There are records referring to medieval settlements nearby. The woods are recorded as being of archaeological importance. Many local residents have recalled the pleasure they enjoyed as children playing in these open spaces.  Many lament the fact that virtually all the fields and meadows have been lost to dense development. It is interesting to note that these developments circumnavigate the ancient woodland whereas the proposed Robsack Meadow development includes ancient woodland which would be felled in order to create access into the site. Furthermore, as part of Robsack Wood has been excluded from the Local Nature Reserve, the wood remains vulnerable to development, isolation and fragmentation.

Approximately 20 years ago the development of the Robsack estate commenced with the construction of approximately 100 houses – all detached conventional style properties – ground and first floor with garages and the majority having large gardens.

With the construction of this large estate, the majority of the meadows/fields were lost to development – the only remaining open space in the Robsack vicinity is the little meadow that sits between Robsack Wood LNR and Church Wood LNR and SCNI.

The Woodland Trust issued a Press Release in August 2009 condemning Hasting Council’s irresponsible attitude towards ancient woodland. This Press Release can be viewed on the Woodland Trust’s website.