Residents crammed into the council chamber of the Queen's Hall in Cuckfield when the council's planning committee debated the hot issue of extra bedrooms and a spa at the prestigious hotel.

Some participants had to stand outside to hear views of those represented including the Cuckfield Society, the hotel and residents' groups for and against the plans.

The proposals are for a spa plus six bedrooms within Ockenden's old walled garden that is outside the village's built up area.

Opponents fear it will spark a rash of planning applications and impact on the medieval centre while supporters want the business to expand to compete with other luxury hotels.

The parish's planning committee said that policy on tourism allowed specific one-off developments outside the built up boundary where they were moderate in size. As the spa was screened and "tucked away" in the walled garden, it was acceptable.

Councillors still had concerns over the numbers of users and the traffic it would generate and the effect on the conservation area and the medieval buildings, many of which open onto Ockenden lane without any footpath.

Parish council chairman Robert Salisbury said members were pleased Ockenden Manor had taken previous comments on protecting the countryside seriously.

He said: "There will always be subjective views on the rights and wrongs of building on this site as walled gardens are an important asset in themselves, and indeed, opinion will differ on the size of the spa, but the real issue now comes down to levels of use, the traffic it will generate and the impact on the historic centre and those living and working in it.

"I think everyone accepts that the hotel is an intrinsic part of the village but, as I commented at the meeting on Thursday, they need the village as much as we need them and it is in all our interests to find the right balance in allowing them to trade successfully whilst protecting those things that makes Cuckfield so special.

"Our medieval centre is part of the attraction for visitors staying in the hotel and it is as important to the hotel to maintain that heritage as it is to the residents."

Ockenden managing director Pontus Carminger said the hotel was "most encouraged" by the parish council's reaction to the revised spa proposal.

He said: "We have worked hard to make sure our new plan takes into account the fears and concerns of the village and we now look forward to an equally positive response from the district's planners."
Mid Sussex District Council is due to decide the application on January 3.