Wealden District
50°59′56″N 0°12′43″E / 50.999°N 0.212°E
Wealden District | |
|---|---|
 Wealden shown within East Sussex | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Constituent country | England |
| Region | South East England |
| Non-metropolitan county | East Sussex |
| Status | Non-metropolitan district |
| Admin HQ | Hailsham |
| Incorporated | 1 April 1974 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Non-metropolitan district council |
| • Body | Wealden District Council |
| • Leadership | Leader & Cabinet (No overall control) |
| • MPs | Caroline Ansell (Cons) Maria Caulfield (Cons) Nusrat Ghani (Cons) Huw Merriman (Cons) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 322.4 sq mi (835.0 km2) |
| • Rank | 39th (of 296) |
| Population (2022) | |
| • Total | 163,012 |
| • Rank | 127th (of 296) |
| • Density | 510/sq mi (200/km2) |
| • Ethnicity | 98.3% White |
| Time zone | UTC0 (GMT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (BST) |
| ONS code | 21UH (ONS) E07000065 (GSS) |
| OS grid reference | TQ5519524567 |
| Website | www |
Wealden is a local government district in East Sussex, England. Its council is based in Hailsham. The district's name comes from the Weald, the remnant forest which was once unbroken and occupies much of the centre and north of the area.
History
Wealden District was formed on 1 April 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, by the merger of the Hailsham and Uckfield Rural District Councils (RDCs), both set up under the Local Government Act 1894, which also revived the parish councils.
Governance
Wealden District Council is elected every 4 years, with the Conservative party having had a majority on the council since the first election in 1973, apart from a couple of years after 1995 when no party had a majority. As of the last election in 2019 the council is composed of the following councillors:- [1]
The district is second-level in local government, responsible for town and country planning and domestic rubbish and recycling collections, for example. There are 45 members of the Council, representing 41 wards.[2][3] The towns have more than one ward: Crowborough has six; Hailsham, seven; Heathfield and Waldron, five; Uckfield, five; and Polegate, three.[4] The ward boundaries are regularly redrawn in an attempt to maintain a standard number of electors per councillor. They are at 2007:
| Ward | Population (2007) | Councillors | Electors per councillor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alfriston | 2481 | 1 | 2481 |
| Buxted and Maresfield | 5052 | 2 | 2526 |
| Chiddingly and East Hoathly | 2934 | 1 | 2934 |
| Cross in Hand/Five Ashes | 2291 | 1 | 2291 |
| Crowborough East | 5202 | 2 | 2601 |
| Crowborough Jarvis Brook | 2698 | 1 | 2698 |
| Crowborough North | 5035 | 2 | 2517 |
| Crowborough St. Johns | 2262 | 1 | 2262 |
| Crowborough West | 4791 | 2 | 2395 |
| Danehill/Fletching/Nutley | 5003 | 2 | 2501 |
| East Dean | 2186 | 1 | 2186 |
| Forest Row | 5356 | 2 | 2678 |
| Framfield | 2611 | 1 | 2611 |
| Frant/Withyham | 4767 | 2 | 2383 |
| Hailsham Central and North | 5591 | 2 | 2795 |
| Hailsham East | 2769 | 1 | 2769 |
| Hailsham South and West | 8401 | 3 | 2800 |
| Hartfield | 2606 | 1 | 2606 |
| Heathfield East | 2349 | 1 | 2349 |
| Heathfield North and Central | 7832 | 3 | 2610 |
| Hellingly | 5117 | 2 | 2558 |
| Herstmonceux | 2826 | 1 | 2826 |
| Horam | 2583 | 1 | 2583 |
| Mayfield | 2615 | 1 | 2615 |
| Ninfield and Hooe with Wartling | 2362 | 1 | 2362 |
| Pevensey and Westham | 8981 | 3 | 2993 |
| Polegate North | 4811 | 2 | 2405 |
| Polegate South | 2245 | 1 | 2245 |
| Rotherfield | 2402 | 1 | 2402 |
| Uckfield Central | 2984 | 1 | 2984 |
| Uckfield New Town | 2604 | 1 | 2604 |
| Uckfield North | 5317 | 2 | 2658 |
| Uckfield Ridgewood | 2968 | 1 | 2968 |
| Wadhurst | 5085 | 2 | 2542 |
| Willingdon | 7121 | 3 | 2373 |
| Total Wealden | 142238 | 55 | 2586 |
This district is entirely civil parished, enabling all farms and outlying homes to have an established community and influencing civic body, into:[5][6]
| Parish | Type | Area (sq mi) | Population (2007) | Pop Density /sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alciston | Parish Meeting | 2.7 | 146 | 53.7 |
| Alfriston | Parish Council | 3.6 | 774 | 214.2 |
| Arlington | Parish Council | 7.1 | 490 | 69.2 |
| Berwick | Parish Council | 1.9 | 289 | 149.4 |
| Buxted | Parish Council | 8.4 | 3145 | 376.4 |
| Chalvington with Ripe | Parish Council | 4.3 | 1082 | 252.0 |
| Chiddingly | Parish Council | 6.8 | 1006 | 147.9 |
| Crowborough | Town Council | 5.2 | 19988 | 3812.1 |
| Cuckmere Valley | Parish Council | 6.8 | 197 | 28.9 |
| Danehill | Parish Council | 8.7 | 1927 | 220.3 |
| East Dean and Friston | Parish Council | 3.3 | 1577 | 474.9 |
| East Hoathly with Halland | Parish Council | 5.8 | 1343 | 229.9 |
| Fletching | Parish Council | 9.9 | 1041 | 104.7 |
| Forest Row | Parish Council | 12.6 | 5054 | 402.4 |
| Framfield | Parish Council | 7.6 | 1855 | 243.3 |
| Frant | Parish Council | 12.3 | 1367 | 110.9 |
| Hadlow Down | Parish Council | 6.6 | 715 | 109.1 |
| Hailsham | Town Council | 7.5 | 19836 | 2652.3 |
| Hartfield | Parish Council | 16.2 | 2157 | 132.9 |
| Heathfield and Waldron | Parish Council | 20.4 | 11514 | 564.5 |
| Hellingly | Parish Council | 7.6 | 1552 | 205.1 |
| Herstmonceux | Parish Council | 9.5 | 2598 | 272.8 |
| Hooe | Parish Council | 3.9 | 446 | 115.4 |
| Horam | Parish Council | 4.0 | 2583 | 643.3 |
| Isfield | Parish Council | 3.0 | 564 | 190.7 |
| Laughton | Parish Council | 7.3 | 585 | 79.7 |
| Little Horsted | Parish Meeting | 4.1 | 168 | 40.8 |
| Long Man | Parish Council | 6.2 | 412 | 66.2 |
| Maresfield | Parish Council | 10.1 | 3246 | 319.9 |
| Mayfield and Five Ashes | Parish Council | 16.4 | 3562 | 217.6 |
| Ninfield | Parish Council | 4.1 | 1520 | 371.7 |
| Pevensey | Parish Council | 6.8 | 3152 | 463.8 |
| Polegate | Town Council | 2.8 | 8021 | 2853.6 |
| Rotherfield | Parish Council | 17.8 | 3151 | 177.0 |
| Selmeston | Parish Meeting | 2.6 | 190 | 73.1 |
| Uckfield | Town Council | 2.9 | 13873 | 4810.0 |
| Wadhurst | Parish Council | 15.5 | 4818 | 311.0 |
| Warbleton | Parish Council | 11.2 | 1262 | 112.3 |
| Wartling | Parish Council | 4.3 | 396 | 92.7 |
| Westham | Parish Council | 5.5 | 5829 | 1066.9 |
| Willingdon and Jevington | Parish Council | 4.1 | 6156 | 1511.3 |
| Withyham | Parish Council | 14.2 | 2651 | 186.7 |
| Total Wealden | 321.7 | 142238 | 442.2 |
Geography
Wealden District covers two main upland areas: the section of the High Weald within East Sussex; and the eastern end of the South Downs, between which lies the Vale of Sussex, the lowlands of which are named the Pevensey Levels. The River Ouse, some of the tributaries of which originate in the district, is the border with the Lewes District; and the River Cuckmere is wholly in Wealden. The English Channel to the south is interrupted by Eastbourne. The River Rother rises on the Weald and flows easterly to the east of Rye Bay. The Wealden basin contains significant reserves of shale oil, totalling 4.4 billion barrels of oil in Wealden and surrounding areas according to a 2014 study, which then Business and Energy Minister Michael Fallon said "will bring jobs and business opportunities" and significantly help with UK energy self-sufficiency. Fracking in the area is required to achieve these objectives, which has been opposed by environmental groups.[7]
It is the central of the three East Sussex non-borough (low density) districts: the others being Lewes to the west, and Rother to the east.
Home ownership
The district has the highest proportion of home ownership of the 37 local authorities in Surrey, Sussex and Kent: combining the social (housing association and local authority provided) and private rented sectors, Brighton and Hove's returns recorded in 2011 that its rented sector comprised 44.4% of its housing, whereas 18.8% of Wealden's residents rented their homes. Neighbouring Rother has a marginally higher proportion of homes owned outright, 3.1% greater and a greater rented sector.
| Form of home ownership in Surrey, Sussex and Kent compared[8] | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Authority | Owned | Owned with a loan | Socially rented | Privately rented | Other | Shared ownership |
| Wealden | 42.3 | 36.5 | 7.7 | 11.1 | 0.8 | 1.7 |
| Epsom and Ewell | 36.8 | 40.2 | 8.1 | 13.3 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Surrey Heath | 34.8 | 42 | 9.2 | 12.1 | 0.8 | 1 |
| Tandridge | 36.2 | 39.7 | 10.8 | 11 | 0.9 | 1.4 |
| Horsham | 37.3 | 37.2 | 11.5 | 11.8 | 0.7 | 1.5 |
| Mid Sussex | 35.5 | 38.8 | 10.6 | 12.8 | 1 | 1.4 |
| Arun | 42.8 | 31 | 8.8 | 15.3 | 0.8 | 1.2 |
| Adur | 37.8 | 36 | 13 | 11.4 | 0.6 | 1.2 |
| Waverley | 37.7 | 36 | 12.4 | 11.3 | 1 | 1.7 |
| Mole Valley | 39.1 | 34.5 | 12.2 | 11.9 | 0.9 | 1.4 |
| Rother | 45.4 | 28.1 | 10.3 | 14.1 | 0.5 | 1.5 |
| Reigate and Banstead | 33.2 | 39.9 | 11.9 | 12.9 | 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Elmbridge | 34.2 | 38.8 | 9.8 | 15.1 | 0.7 | 1.2 |
| Sevenoaks | 37.5 | 35.2 | 13.2 | 10.8 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| Lewes | 39.8 | 32.8 | 10.9 | 14.5 | 0.7 | 1.3 |
| Spelthorne | 33.9 | 38.6 | 12.4 | 12.6 | 1.4 | 1 |
| Tonbridge and Malling | 32.6 | 38.6 | 16.1 | 10.1 | 1.5 | 1.1 |
| Woking | 31.6 | 38.9 | 11.9 | 15.7 | 0.9 | 1 |
| Maidstone | 32.9 | 37.5 | 12.8 | 14.6 | 1.1 | 1.2 |
| Runnymede | 33.1 | 36.4 | 12.9 | 15.2 | 1 | 1.4 |
| Worthing | 34.8 | 34.5 | 10 | 19.3 | 0.5 | 0.9 |
| Guildford | 33.7 | 35.1 | 12.8 | 15.8 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| Ashford | 31.8 | 36.6 | 14.4 | 14.3 | 1.3 | 1.5 |
| Swale | 31.4 | 36.9 | 14.3 | 15.2 | 1 | 1.2 |
| Medway | 28.9 | 38.8 | 13.2 | 17.1 | 1 | 1 |
| Chichester | 40.5 | 26.6 | 14.9 | 14.9 | 0.9 | 2.2 |
| Dartford | 27.5 | 39.4 | 14.8 | 16 | 1.3 | 1 |
| Dover | 35.3 | 31.3 | 14.3 | 17.1 | 0.5 | 1.7 |
| Canterbury | 35.5 | 30.5 | 12.2 | 19.5 | 0.8 | 1.4 |
| Tunbridge Wells | 32 | 33.7 | 15.2 | 16.9 | 0.8 | 1.4 |
| Folkestone and Hythe | 35.3 | 29.5 | 11.2 | 22.2 | 0.5 | 1.3 |
| Gravesham | 30.7 | 33.9 | 17.3 | 16.1 | 0.8 | 1.2 |
| Thanet | 33.4 | 28.6 | 12.7 | 23.8 | 0.3 | 1.2 |
| Eastbourne | 33.5 | 28.3 | 13.2 | 23.4 | 0.7 | 1.1 |
| Crawley | 22.2 | 36.9 | 23.8 | 14.5 | 1.4 | 1.2 |
| Hastings | 26.9 | 28.3 | 14.6 | 28.8 | 0.5 | 1 |
| Brighton and Hove | 23.4 | 29.9 | 14.9 | 29.5 | 0.9 | 1.3 |
Transport
The major trunk road is the A22, London to Eastbourne; it is crossed by the A26 Maidstone–Lewes road at Uckfield; and the A267 Tunbridge Wells to Eastbourne road. There are also three west-east roads: the A259 coastal route; next inland is the A27 Pevensey–Brighton trunk road; and further to the north the A272 cross-country route to Winchester.
The East Coastway Line, serving Eastbourne and Hastings, uses the Vale of Sussex and has two station serving different sides of Pevensey in the district, which forms a generally suburban conurbation with Westham and a largely rural holiday and visitor coastline, Pevensey Bay. The other railway line is the Uckfield Branch Line from London Bridge.
Long-distance footpaths include the:
Landmarks
Major landmarks include the Seven Sisters and Cuckmere Haven along the coast; and the Long Man of Wilmington together with all of the paths over the South Downs National Park. Roman fortified hills can be found in the north of the area and Uckfield has a large architectural conservation area.
Sheffield Park Garden is an informal landscape garden now owned by the National Trust but laid out by Capability Brown. Near to this is the terminus of the Bluebell Railway, a heritage, steam railway line.
A late medieval castle construction, moated Herstmonceux Castle, was begun in 1440. It is open to visitors and there are organised tours on a few summer days.[9]
Ashdown Forest is to the north of the Weald and is the home of Winnie the Pooh.
See also
References
- ^ "Wealden Council: Your Councillers".
- ^ "Council - Wealden District Council". www.wealden.gov.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
- ^ "The Wealden (Electoral Changes) Order 2016". www.legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
- ^ "The Wealden (Electoral Changes) Order 2016". www.legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
- ^ "East Sussex in Figures". East Sussex County Council. Retrieved 26 April 2008.
- ^ Interactive map showing locations of parishes
- ^ Prynn, Jonathan (23 May 2014). "Massive oil reserves lie under commuter belt in South, says report". London Evening Standard. p. 8.
- ^ Office for National Statistics 2011 Census Key Statistics: Tenure. Shared ownership forms the small remainder of each proportion.
- ^ Scheduled ancient monument: Herstmonceux Castle. Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1002298)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
