Scientology press on with controversial Sussex event plans, submits planning application

The Church of Scientology are nearing the completion of a major construction project at their UK headquarters near East Grinstead, Sussex despite lacking the relevant planning permission.

The unauthorised building works started four weeks ago and relate to the erection of a mammoth 45,000 square foot marquee used to host the annual gathering of the International Association of Scientologists (IAS), an event expected to take place next month and is often attended by celebrities like Tom Cruise and Bart Simpson voice actor Nancy Cartwright.

Last year, the controversial Church were issued a Planning Contravention Notice by Mid-Sussex District Council, with an enforcement officer telling Scientology Business at the time “the Church has advised that they will be seeking planning permission and we will engage with them to ensure that this is sought in time for the 2025 event.” However, this was not the case and construction began last month without submitting the appropriate applications for permission.

Now as the tent nears completion, Scientology have filed for permission to start works on a major redesign of their UK facility which would accommodate the thousands of guests expected to attend the event, although it stops short of requesting authorisation to build the temporary structure itself.

The plans include the creation of a new entrance to the north of the property and an extension to their existing car park, as well as the installation of concealed concrete pads in a field to the rear of the Saint Hill faux castle which would be used to anchor future temporary structures.

The site is situated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and borders a protected ancient forest, meaning greater scrutiny is given to any building works proposed nearby. However, in their own application Scientology have admitted to their event causing significant damage to the field in which the works take place.

Carnegie, the architecture firm Scientology have hired to oversee the proposed scheme, explain in a document attached to their application the site is “framed by a bund of ancient woodland, a rare and irreplaceable habitat that has been continuously wooded since at least 1600 AD. Ancient woodland supports a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including rare and threatened species, and is recognised as a critical ecological asset.”

Although the temporary event marquee is mentioned in the supporting documents, the application itself specifically seeks permission for a “hard paved car park with 121 spaces and toilet facilities adjacent to Saint Hill Road. Hard paved access road servicing both Juhring and Hobbs fields. Engineered grass surfaced provision of 619 spaces for temporary parking for specific events in Juhring field. Re-contouring of Hobbs field with grassed surface and provision of permanent pads for a marquee together with washroom facilities and substation with backup generator.”

Mid-Sussex District Council are understood to be treating the tent’s construction as a planning breach and sent inspectors to visit the site late last week.

Speaking to Scientology Business, a Council official said “we are currently reviewing the application in terms of what has been applied for in light of works being undertaken at Saint Hill Manor. We are also considering our position in terms of enforcement action and I can advise you that one of my enforcement officers visited the site at the end of last week.”

The date for Scientology’s event has yet to be announced, although it is expected to take place across three days on a weekend in October. It typically includes a three-hour speech by reclusive leader David Miscavige, a fancy black-tie dinner and intense fundraising for the ‘International Association of Scientologists’, the Church’s official membership body. Tickets to the Patrons Ball alone were estimated to have raised in excess of $1.25 million dollars in revenue for the group last year.

You can follow the application using reference number DM/25/2223 on the Mid-Sussex District Council planning portal. Key documents provided by Scientology are also made available below.