Twelve projects in Wealden given a share of more than £42,000
Publish Date: 16 May 2025
Wealden District Council’s Infrastructure and Community Spaces Grants programme has allocated funding to support 12 impactful projects across the district.
The funding programme was made available through the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund.
This initiative aims to enhance local infrastructure, improve community spaces, and create more accessible, sustainable environments for residents and visitors alike.
A total of £42,878.86 has been allocated in the second round of the programme to support various projects. These include East Dean and Friston Cricket Club’s addition of picnic benches and parasols, Horam Parish Council’s installation of a stair-climber for improved accessibility, and Uckfield Millennium Green’s enhancements to pathways with non-slip surfaces.
Nutley Memorial Trust introduced solar battery storage at the War Memorial Hall, Forest Row Parish Council created an accessible pathway to the playground. Wadhurst Parish Council improved the woodland area by purchasing benches, a dog waste bin, bird and bat boxes. Collectively, these projects have made community spaces more inclusive, sustainable, and welcoming for all.
Councillor James Partridge, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) lead councillor for Governance, Waste & Local Economy and leader of the council said, “It’s really rewarding to run programmes like this and be able to support local organisations with funding that makes a real difference.
“This investment helps preserve and improve valued areas across our district. From sports clubs and community centres to green spaces and nature areas, it’s all about ensuring that our residents have access to safe, inclusive, and sustainable places that support both wellbeing and community life.”
The full list of the organisations awarded funding for 2024/25 can be found here.
The funding programme was made available through the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund. The England-wide initiative is a new £110million, two-year capital fund from the Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs, complementary to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. It has enabled councils to support projects in rural areas of the district.