The Church of Scientology are seeking permission to build a 45,000 square foot temporary event space on the grounds of their UK headquarters ahead of the annual IAS gala, after they were issued a warning by the Council.
Every October Scientologists from across the globe flock to Saint Hill Manor, a country estate once owned by their founder L. Ron Hubbard, near East Grinstead to celebrate the anniversary of the International Association of Scientologists (IAS). The event attracts thousands of parishioners who travel to the isolated compound in Sussex to hear reclusive leader David Miscavige speak about their latest ‘global expansion efforts’ and has recently been marred in controversy due to growing concerns from residents and former members over the disruption it causes to the local area.
Due to Scientology’s poor traffic management, hundreds of cars have historically arrived at the same time and filter onto the property through a single gate, causing miles-long tailbacks on Saint Hill Road and the neighbouring Turners Hill Road – a main artery into East Grinstead. Last year, several coaches were seen blocking traffic at the main entrance rather than using their designated coach park to the south of the property, with angry local residents taking to social media to air their frustrations.
Under UK planning laws, temporary structures under 100 square metres do not require permission so long as they are removed within 28 days. However, due to the scale of the event Scientology construct a 45,000 square foot (4,250 sq m) marquee in the grounds of the Manor which is often in situ for two or three months despite not applying for the permits required for a structure of its size.
In October Mid-Sussex District Council issued the Church with a Planning Contravention Notice, telling Scientology Business “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.”
According to Gov.uk, a planning contravention notice “may only be served when it appears to the local planning authority that a breach of planning control may have occurred and they want to find out more information before deciding what if any enforcement action to take”.
On 19th May, Scientology lawyer Peter Hodkin submitted a filing on behalf of the Church that argues due to the fact their marquee has been erected, used and dismantled every year for over 10 years, the structure has “become lawful through the passage of time.”
Rather than seeking planning permission to construct the marquee ahead of this year’s event, Scientology are asking for a Lawful Development Certificate, citing section 191(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 which automatically grants permission for structures that have been in place for 10 years without any enforcement action being taken against it.
In their application, Scientology argues “the annual event has occurred on the Land since October 2005, consistently in the same format and for the same purpose. The only exceptions to this continuous pattern were involuntary ones. The use has been ongoing for a period exceeding 10 years.”
However, for the majority of the year the land is left as an open field and it is unclear whether the temporary nature of the structure and the fact it has only been in situ for intermittent periods throughout the last decade satisfies the requirements for it to be deemed lawful without planning permission.
Their application explains the marquee is necessary to host their annual IAS event, but makes no mention of the sheer scale of the 45,000 sq ft structure or the detrimental effect the increase in road traffic has on the local area.
“The Land shown outlined in red on the plan is used for an annual event in or around October each year celebrating the anniversary of the founding of the International Association of Scientologists at Saint Hill Manor in October 1984. Large temporary marquees are erected on the Land for this purpose. The event draws thousands of Scientologists and visitors from around the world. The event takes place over 3 days – Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It culminates with a charity concert on the Sunday evening, which raises money for local charities.”
“The erection takes several weeks. Including rehearsals, the actual use occurs for approximately one week. Dismantling and restoration of the land takes about a month. Other parts of the field, outlined in blue, are also used for purposes ancillary to the event – such as providing an access from Saint Hill Castle to the event marquees and temporary roadways around the marquees.”
Scientology were also recently found to be in breach of Highways regulations after it installed a fence, hedgerow and wooden sleepers on public land opposite the entrance to Saint Hill in a flagrant attempt to obstruct protestors who gather outside the event to offer support to those wishing to leave the organisation. In response, the Church filed a complaint alleging they had been discriminated against by the Highways Authority and initially they refused to remove the unauthorised structures.
However, in an email to Scientology Business earlier this week, a Highways representative told us “I can confirm that the existing fir trees, fencing, and wooden sleepers will be removed by the Church of Scientology in the near future. In the meantime, they have been advised to apply for a Planting Licence, which will be reviewed by our Tree Team to ensure that the proposed hedgerow species is approved by our Arboriculturist.”
“Any licence issued will include specific conditions, such as the use of approved species, ensuring the new hedgerow is planted at least 0.5 metres back from the edge of the carriageway, and confirming that the Church of Scientology will be responsible for its ongoing maintenance.”
Members of the public are able to comment on Scientology’s application for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Mid-Sussex District Council planning portal under reference number DM/25/1292. A decision is set to be made by Monday 14th July.
