The National Trust’s recent planning application to Rother District Council (RDC) to open up more of Lamb House and to attract more visitors has received an immediate local response. More than a dozen responses have been submitted with the majority objecting to the Trust’s proposal. The majority objected to the extension of the opening times, to seven days a week, and felt that the doubling of visitor numbers to 27,000 per year would cause a strain on local infrastructure as well as queues along a narrow pavement.
Some local residents, who back on to Lamb House’s substantial garden, were also concerned that it could be used for wedding receptions and night-time entertainment that would disturb the peace of this quiet residential neighbourhood.
However the response to the planning application hasn’t all been negative. A supportive submission to RDC felt that the opening of more of the house would allow a greater interpretation of both the house and its two most famous literary residents – Henry James and EF Benson.
There is still time if you would like to comment. A decision on the National Trust’s planning application is expected on April 20, 2018.
Photo: National Trust
