Applications welcomed for new recreational activities at Arlington Reservoir

Community groups and local businesses in East Sussex are being invited to express their interest in operating recreational activities at Arlington Reservoir.

South East Water is asking organisations and businesses to complete an application form if they are interested in operating an activity at the 100-hectare site near Polegate.

As well as a key source of drinking water, Arlington Reservoir is a Local Nature Reserve and a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, with more than 170 bird species, including overwintering wildfowl. The habitat is also home to a wide range of other wildlife, including barn owls, kingfishers, bats, dormice, water voles, newts, dozens of butterfly species and visiting ospreys.

For these reasons, certain activities that could damage or disturb the wildlife or the environment cannot be operated on the site. These include pursuits that involve lots of noise, use boats or vehicles powered by petrol or diesel or those that require permanent or temporary structures on the land.

Emma Goddard, Head of Environment for South East Water, said: “Arlington Reservoir is a special environment with an abundance of nature and wildlife. We have a team of environmental experts working all year round to support growing biodiversity and environmental management projects at the site.”

“As well as protecting and enhancing the environment, we also want local people and visitors to explore and enjoy the site. With this in mind, we welcome expressions of interest from community groups and businesses that want to run sustainable activities that would be compatible with the special habitat.”

“We previously offered trout fishing at Arlington, but this stopped in 2020 due to falling membership numbers and a dramatic downturn in fishery income. Now we have a chance to work with the local community to find new activities that will encourage local people to visit Arlington.”

Application forms are available from the website at southeastwater.co.uk/reservoirs. The closing date for submission of the forms is 5pm on Friday 22 July.