The Hastings BC Planning Committee has just given permission for the opening hours of the Bale House visitor centre to be extended. The Friends had been pressing for this change for some time.

We see the Bale House as a great community asset, one which attracts visitors to the Reserve and helps them to understand its environmental importance. It seemed strange to us that its opening hours were so restricted. This meant that there was no possibility of evening talks being held there, for example.

There will still be some sensible restrictions on how the centre can be used to protect the interests of local residents, and the planning decision does not allow for the cafe to be open after 5pm. But it is still a welcome step forward to allow the Bale House to fulfil its potential.