WEALDEN DISTRICT COUNCIL – August 2010

New housing numbers in Wealden

Wealden Council decided nearly two years ago to oppose the Labour Government’s South East Plan which imposed on Wealden a requirement to grant planning permissions for a minimum of 11,000 new homes by 2026. However we had to begin preparations of what is called a Core Strategy setting out how we saw Wealden’s future by 2026 and this had to include the 11,000 houses.

The Coalition Government has decided to abandon Regional Plans like the South East Plan and allow local authorities to decide their own housing numbers. We will still have to produce a Core Strategy and we have to establish housing numbers based on evidence such as need, marketability and the existence of adequate infrastructure.

We are expecting more guidance from the Government shortly and will then decide the details of our way forward.

In any event, housing need in this Ward which covers Danehill, Chelwood Gate, Fletching, Nutley, Piltdown and Isfield is very limited and we are unlikely to see any major housing development.

Overgrown hedges next to footpaths and roads

Most hedges are the responsibility of the person who owns the land next to the road. If your hedge is overhanging a road or pavement ESCC will ask the landowner to cut them back.  If they fail to do this ESCC may serve a formal notice.  The owner could face legal action from an injured member of the public.  ESCC maintain hedges on highway land and cut them as necessary.  Contact: 0345 6080 193 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cllr Sylvia Martin