The planning requirements concerned permanent additions to Juhring Field and Hobbs Field, adjacent to Saint Hill Manor on Saint Hill Road, East Grinstead. These fields had been used annually for the IAS (International Association of Scientologists) anniversary event and for community event parking. The proposals were intended to improve event preparation, reduce existing operational difficulties, and support Saint Hill’s continued hosting of the IAS celebrations. The parking and EV charging facilities proposed for Juhring Field were also intended to remain available for local community groups, including East Grinstead Rugby Club and nearby sports clubs.

The annual IAS events at Saint Hill attracted more than 7,500 attendees from over 65 nations to a three-day humanitarian celebration. Temporary power supplies, buildings, and other infrastructure had previously been erected and removed each year, with the set-up remaining on site for roughly a quarter of the year. Because local sporting clubs also requested use of the facilities, Saint Hill concluded that making parts of the infrastructure permanent would improve efficiency, increase capacity, and provide greater support to neighbouring community organisations.

The proposed development included permanent event infrastructure in Hobbs Field, a permanent road access and hardstanding areas, hardcore pads for tent structures, additional toilet blocks in both Hobbs and Juhring Fields, a substation and backup generator, and a permanent parking surface in Juhring Field. Historically, Juhring Field had served as overflow parking for Saint Hill and local events such as Bonfire Night and Winter Wonderland. Temporary trackways had proved ineffective because of mud, field gradients, and increasing parking demand, which had contributed to damage to nearby hedgerows and roadsides. A permanent parking design was therefore considered necessary to improve drainage, increase traffic safety, reduce environmental damage, and meet both Saint Hill’s operational needs and local policy requirements.