Abode Homes Faces Planning Enforcement at Forest View, Maresfield
Last updated: July 7, 2025
Wealden District Council has issued enforcement notices regarding the Forest View housing development in Maresfield, East Sussex. This small-scale development, built by Abode Homes, includes four detached properties — three of which have now been served with formal notices, with the fourth still under the developer’s ownership.
According to the official planning portal C/2024/0085, the enforcement action relates to alleged breaches of planning control. The issue? These homes may have been constructed without the required planning permissions or outside the scope of approved conditions. View the full notice here (PDF).
Why Is This a Big Deal?
In the UK, building a home without the correct planning permissions is not just an administrative oversight — it’s a potential legal violation. Enforcement notices can require remedial work, retroactive planning applications, or, in extreme cases, full demolition of the unauthorised structures.
While demolition is unlikely in this case, it remains a legal possibility, creating deep uncertainty for the affected families who purchased these properties in good faith. The remaining plot, which is still under Abode Homes' control, is also being reviewed by the council — suggesting that the issue is systemic to the site, not isolated to individual owners.
What Triggered the Enforcement?
Public records suggest the development may have moved forward without final planning approvals or in violation of key conditions. These could include breaches related to layout, building height, access roads, or environmental impact — though the exact planning infraction has yet to be formally detailed in public council communications.
Forest View was marketed as a secluded, luxury countryside enclave. But this latest action raises questions about whether the project was delivered in line with the promised legal and planning assurances.
Impact on Homeowners
For the families living in the affected homes, this enforcement action presents immediate concerns:
- ⚠️ Mortgage and insurance risk: Lenders and insurers often require properties to have clean legal status. Planning breaches can jeopardise this.
- 📉 Resale complications: Selling a home under enforcement can be difficult or impossible without resolution.
- 💸 Legal fees and uncertainty: Owners may need to hire solicitors, submit retrospective applications, or even fund remedial work.
Is This a One-Off or a Pattern?
Truth About Abode Homes has received multiple reports and public complaints about the company’s practices — ranging from delayed completions to planning ambiguities and snagging issues left unresolved. The Forest View situation aligns with a pattern of questionable execution, casting further doubt on the developer’s internal governance and planning compliance processes.
What Are the Legal Outcomes?
Enforcement notices can lead to several outcomes:
- 📝 Submission of a retrospective planning application (may be approved or denied)
- 🛠️ Requirement to modify or remove unauthorised elements
- ❌ Demolition of illegal structures (rare but legally enforceable)
In many cases, councils and residents reach a compromise. However, the process can take months — sometimes years — and creates considerable stress for all involved.
What Should Affected Residents Do?
If you live in Forest View or purchased an Abode Homes property under similar conditions, consider the following actions:
- 👨⚖️ Contact a planning solicitor with experience in enforcement cases
- 📂 Obtain all planning-related documents from your conveyancer and developer
- 📞 Engage with Wealden Council proactively — they may offer timelines, options, or flexibility
- 🧑🤝🧑 Coordinate with your neighbours to pursue a collective response
Lessons for Future Buyers
This case serves as a stark warning to anyone purchasing a new-build home. Before completing any transaction:
- ✅ Check the local authority’s planning portal for the full approval status
- ✅ Ask your solicitor to confirm that all planning conditions have been discharged
- ✅ Never rely on verbal reassurances from sales agents or developers
Abode Homes' Forest View site may soon become a high-profile example of how planning shortcuts — even small ones — can have massive real-world consequences for innocent homeowners.
Stay Informed
We will continue to monitor the Forest View enforcement action and share updates on this page. To explore more about Abode Homes’ planning history, return to our homepage.