Proposals for a new Wealden Community Sports Hub on the outskirts of Hailsham

Status: Closed

Previous research studies such as the Playing Pitch Strategy, leisure provision review and through our engagement with Sport England, Sports Governing Bodies and key stakeholders has demonstrated that there is a need to provide new sporting facilities in Wealden.

We are proposing to build a new Community Sports Hub on the outskirts of Hailsham that would provide much needed and desired facilities for the local community. Plans may include a range of recreational opportunities for organised formal sports programs and informal sports and community spaces.

The proposals will go through the statutory planning process but we want to involve residents in this project as soon as possible to ensure that a new facility meets the needs of our residents’ now and in the future.

Please take this opportunity to talk with members of your household and let us know your thoughts on the proposed new facility.

Results reports:

• Proposals for new Sports Hub Public Survey Results Report

Key findings and changes made:

The public survey received over 608 responses, the majority of which were supportive and in favour of the project.

• 74% of respondents supported the inclusion of new playing pitches at the proposed location on the outskirts of Hailsham.
• 66% of individuals & households, and 79% of organisations that responded would be likely to visit a new Community Sports Hub at the proposed location on the outskirts of Hailsham.

The top three reasons given for being likely to use a community sports hub at this location were: 

1. To maintain or improve my health and wellbeing – 71%
2. Excited about having a variety of new, high quality facilities locally – 69%
3. Good location – 61%

The reasons given by the organisational responses for being likely to visit differed slightly to the household and individual responses in that the top three reasons for being likely to use a community sports hub at this location were:

1. Lack of other facilities in the area, it is needed here – 74%
2. Good location – 68%
3. Member of a sports club that would use this facility – 63%

General support for the proposals in the free text comments included that the facility is needed and welcomed partly due to an increase in population and that everyone should have the opportunity to access local sports facilities.

The top reason given by those that said they were unlikely (24%) to use a community sports hub at this location was that they use facilities located elsewhere – 41%.

There is also potential within the development to provide further informal sports and community spaces and we asked for your views on what you think is needed or what this could include, 68% said they would like to see  Walking/Cycling route and a café.

Topics covered by this consultation:

Leisure, Public Health

Consultation Start Date: 05/08/2021

Consultation End Date: 12/10/2021

Results expected by: 31/01/2022

Please note: these dates are subject to change.

Areas covered by this consultation:

Wealden District (All)

Target audience for this consultation:

Wealden Residents, Key Stakeholders

Frequency of this consultation: One-off

Methods of consultation used:

Online Survey (All Public)

What Happens Next?

All responses from the public and stakeholders will be analysed and reported to the Council’s Cabinet.

Work continues to develop the facility mix and design at the Community Sports Hub, with a focus on informal leisure activities as well as more formal sporting facilities.

Further development of the sports hub will take place and further consultation will open as designs progress to inform the final facility mix.