Merry Christmas to residents from Wealden District Council
Publish Date: 22 December 2025
As Christmas fast approaches and we say goodbye to 2025 and welcome in 2026, Wealden District Council leaders are wishing residents, businesses and organisations a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The year began with work to shape what the council landscape would look like in 2028 when local government reorganisation will see Wealden cease to exist and new, larger, unitary councils formed alongside locally elected Mayors. Wealden’s focus for the next two and a half years is to leave a legacy of fairer and kinder communities which are more climate and biodiversity friendly.
Leader of the council and Alliance for Wealden councillor James Partridge and chief executive Trevor Scott have highlighted the work and achievements of the authority over the last 12 months.
Councillor Partridge says “We have achieved so much this year, making a lot of progress in so many different areas and holding true to our promise to reduce the problems our communities experience and leave a lasting legacy for the district.
“We secured planning permission to build two brand new GP practices, one at Polegate and Willingdon and another at Mayfield. Building will start next year. The medical centres will be rented to the GPs. The income will create a long-term sustainable source of income for the council, and provide state of the art medical facilities for those communities.
“We built 18 homes for social rent and for two for shared ownership at Coronation Place in Uckfield. These stunning homes meet the highest environmental standards and two of them are adapted for people with disabilities. We were delighted that the development was shortlisted for an award at the Inside Housing Development awards.
“We have invested in the Cuckoo trail – the old disused railway track that connects Heathfield and Horam and is now a thriving space for 300,000+ visitors every year who walk or cycle the track. In March we will open a newly constructed cycling café that sits on the site of the former railway station. For families, we launched new interactive virtual trail games and activities.
“£16m is being spent on a state-of-the-art multi-sports park on the outskirts of Hailsham and building started back in the Summer. Due to open in 2026, it will have 3G football pitches, tennis courts, padel courts, netball courts, a skate park(designed with local skaters) and a 1.5km jogging path.
“Plans for a new solar farm and sustainable waste depot at Knights Farm West have been agreed and the final touches to our £5million employment centre in Crowborough are being made before the first tenants move in in the New Year.
“We have allocated over £1.1million in grants to local community groups, helping to fund cricket nets, rugby facilities, resurfacing two hockey pitches and investment in other sports clubs.”
Trevor Scott, Chief Executive said:
“The Climate emergency and drive to net zero is fundamental to our Council’s mission.
“We gave grants totalling £465,000 to two local community bus companies to fund new electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Money saved on running costs will allow both companies to convert their entire fleet over the next five years taking out tonnes of carbon and ensuring a vital service to our rural communities.
“We’ve seen a significant increase in electric vehicle ownership across the district, thanks to our investment in off street charging points across our car parks
“Work on our Local Plan continues at a pace with more than 12,000 responses to our recent consultations.
“A ‘Wealden takeover’ of the Sussex Arts magazine, ROSA, to promote the cultural sector in the district was an arts and culture first for the South East, and not only promotes our cultural offer but has sound economic justification with a £12 return on every £1 we invest in this sector.
“We are doing what we can to help local people remain in the district. Over the last 3 years, we have seen over 3000 new homes built in our district. Within that, we have secured more than1000+ affordable homes and we have given planning permission for a further 9000 units.
“In addition, just under half of the £52 million of council spend this year has been with local businesses and we have collected £14million in Community Infrastructure Levy money – to support infrastructure across the district.”
“It really has been a remarkable year for us here at the council and it just remains for me to wish all of our residents a very happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous new year.”