Following the decision for a lease extension in 2022, Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council have agreed a new lease agreement for the provision of Uckfield Leisure Centre up to 2042. Uckfield Leisure Centre is owned by East Sussex County Council and is a dual use site providing sports facilities to Uckfield College […]
Wealden District Council’s recent decision to reduce the size of its planning committees from 12 to 9 members is not just an administrative adjustment, it’s a cynical and calculated political manoeuvre that undermines the democratic process and raises significant concerns about transparency, accountability, and the centralisation of power. Moreover, the working party that was responsible
For an administration that claims to be open, honest, and transparent, Wealden District Council’s Alliance for Wealden is going to extraordinary lengths to avoid being open, honest, and transparent. They also commit to being “kinder” as part of their Council Strategy. In January 2025, I submitted what should have been a simple Freedom of Information
Open, Honest and Transparent? Not in Wealden. Read More »
An appeal decision on a proposed development in Hellingly has been challenged in the High Court by Wealden District Council. The ruling means that ancient woodland at Wellshurst Golf and Country Club in Hellingly has been saved from development for the time being. A planning application was submitted to Wealden council in 2022 from Downsview
Ancient woodland saved temporarily from development after landmark ruling Read More »
The recent mishandling of Council Tax and Business Rates direct debits by Wealden District Council is not just a regrettable administrative error; it is an outright failure of leadership, accountability, and communication. This fiasco, which saw over 17,500 residents and 324 businesses charged prematurely just days after Christmas, has caused unnecessary financial distress to many.
Council Tax Chaos: From Manvell to Mayhem in Just over 30 Days Read More »
Wealden District Council apologises for the timing of some Direct Debit collections over the Christmas period. People who normally pay their council tax and business rates by direct debit on the first of the month will be affected by an automated scheduling error which has meant direct debits will be taken on, 27 December rather
Direct Debit collections over the Christmas period Read More »
The self-styled “Alliance for Wealden” has descended into political chaos. The recent release of the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has only added fuel to the fire. Overdevelopment was a central issue in the 2023 District Council elections, and it continues to be a pressing
“Alliance for Wealden” in complete disarray Read More »
Whilst Wealden District Council welcomes changes to the national planning policy framework (NPPF) to support climate change mitigation and adaptation it is concerned that the top-down housing target for the district has increased yet again. In 2013, based on the constraints in the Wealden district, a planning inspector agreed that the right level of new
Wealden concerned about implications of new national planning policy framework. Read More »
If you watched the Full Council meeting on November 20th 2024 you might have noticed a question put by Councillor Kevin Benton to the Cabinet. If you care about your hard earned money being spent well by the Council then you’ll want to take a look. Don’t worry if you’re not quite sure what the
Is the Alliance knowingly wasting your money? Read More »
The end of another week and one that saw the November meeting of Planning Committee North (“PCN”) down in Hailsham. This 12 person committee deals with determining planning applications that are either outside the scheme of delegation (ie those that can be determined by planning officers without committee involvement) or those that have been identified
A planning meeting featuring the AONB Read More »