UXIT? Crossing the Borders

An enjoyable and informative walk led by local historian Brian Philips took us from Roman times to World War 2 via Buxted (organised by Bridge Cottage).

From Bridge Cottage we walked through Hempstead Meadow Nature Reserve. Apparently, this has been a meadow for thousands of years.  As we made our way down Hempstead Lane, Brian pointed out Tainters Brook, which is where cloth would have been dried, having been stretched out on tenterhooks.

Hempstead Mill and Hempstead Farm

Hempstead Farm

We paused by the mill and Brian explained:

• The mill had many uses over its long life including: production of silks, cotton products including that which was used to make paper for the Manchester Guardian (which still survives as The Guardian).
• It closed in 1937
• There was an attempt to use it to create electricity in 1953.

We moved a little further down Hempstead Lane so we could see Hempstead Farm now the home of the Sussex Horse Rescue Trust. Brian pointed out that it was on the boundaries of three parishes and there many have been a chapel there at one time.  It has been considerable altered over many years. A watercolour by Grimm on the Sussex Weald website shows what the farm looked like in 1786.

Buxted Park

The new Buxted, where the villagers lived after the old fell into decay

Having followed the River Uck into Buxted Park, we were able to see the big house across the lake. Brian outlined some of the history including:

• The present house was built in 1725
• Lord Liverpool stopped maintaining the village near the house, forcing the villagers to move to the "New Buxted" on the other side of the valley.
• There had been a fire in 1940. Although many artworks were rescued the top floor could not be rebuilt due to wartime shortages.

There is more historical information on the hotel's website.

The WW2 pillbox

We visited the pillbox, which is one of a number in the area.

Buxted Church

Christopher Wordsworth's grave

We visited the grave of Christopher Wordsworth, who was the rector of Buxted with Uckfield before the parishes were split. He was the brother of the poet.

Manor Park

Tower Ride - Site of the Roman Kiln

Having cut back through Views Wood, we stopped at a average-looking piece of grass. Back in 1967, when workmen were digging for a main, they discovered a Roman Corn Drying Kiln (Ref. Tebbutt, 1968). Also, people who live in the houses in The Drive have found Roman Pottery.

We then looked at the Water Tower, which once provided Uckfield with all its water, before the main group returned to Bridge Cottage and I went directly home.

1617 Survey of the Manor of Framfield

I've just come back from Brian Philips' reading of some of the 1617 Survey of the Manor of Framfield.  As he read from a facsimile of the old manuscript the noises of a modern bank holiday seemed to fade away as the old words took us back to a time when traffic meant horses and parcels were plots of land, not something to be delivered by a harassed courier.

Brian's audience beginning to gather outside Bridge Cottage.

Brian did his reading outside Bridge Cottage, which stands a little way back from the High Street, or  "Uckfield Street", as it was known in 1617. Of course, the town would have been very small then and surrounded by farms and fields. The survey speaks of pastures, meadows, arable, orchards, coppices and commons. 

The survey was taken 400 years and one day ago today (28th of August, 2017).  I haven't tried to take accurate notes of who owned what but have tried to capture a little of the half-familiar and half-strange picture of the Uckfield that the old manuscript conjured up.

I was struck by the familiarity of the old place names including:

• lands adjacent to Harlings
• Ridgewood
• Boothland
• Horsted Pond
• Luxford
• Hempstead Lane
• Ringles Cross.

I found myself wondering where Ridgewood Common was. Where were Budney Lane, Ridgelands, Ridge lane and Stuckle stones? Brian later explained that the latter was at the end of Snatts Road.

I was intrigued by people's names. There were a couple of esquires mixed amongst the more humble men. A woman's name suddenly stood out in this man's word of property. I wondered what Widow Saunders was like. Was she considered an attractive catch? or a bit of a dragon? or both?

My breath caught a little when the word "Workhouse" was mentioned. The Act for the Relief of the Poor 1601 meant that each Parish had to have a workhouse. The old Uckfield of the 400 year-old manuscript suddenly sounded a lot less idyllic.

A little of the magic returned when I had a chance to look at the old writing in the copy.

Sample of the Manuscript. It mentions Richard Snatt.

Until a few years ago, some of our relations lived in Snatts Road so I was particularly intrigued by mention of Richard and William Snatt who both had land in the area. The sample of manuscript shown mentions Richard Snatt's land when describing the land that belonged to Richard Dinard. 

As I walked back home through Hempstead Meadow nature reserve and along Hempstead Lane, I thought about how much had changed. Even the magnificent, ancient trees of Lime Tree Avenue would not even have been planted when the survey was taken.

Refs:
The survey is kept in the Keep. ADA 137.
1617 Survey of the Manor of Framfield.

Wealden Local Plan - Responses

This post comprises my notes from a document at: Cabinet Local Development Framework Sub-Committee Wednesday, 20th April, 2016 11.30 a.m.

There is a summary of the meeting in minute form, videos and documents.

Wealden Local Plan - Issues Options and Recommendations Consultation Responses

I'm looking at this responses document, which is under item 4 - essentially I am searching on "Uckfield". Document text is in italics.

It introduces itself:
The Wealden Local Plan – Issues, Options and Recommendations Consultation Document was published for responses between 19th October 2015 and 14th December 2015. Some 2,028 responses to 46 questions from 413 representors have been received and uploaded onto the Planning Consultation Portal for the Wealden Local Plan and 148 responses by 67 representors to the Conservation Area Consultation. This report provides a summary of the responses and initial recommendations to progress the Local Plan towards the publication of the Proposed Submission Wealden Local Plan and the associated Proposed Submission Hailsham Area Action Plan.

I put some answers provided by Wealden about the Consultation Document in an earlier post.

Question 2 concerns where to put new development in Wealden 

Wealden's preference was for the "South Wealden" option, which puts most of the development in the South of the area. However there were two other options that would add considerable numbers of houses near or in Uckfield in addition to the Ridgewood Farm Development.

Analysis of responses included:

11. Compared to other matters within this section there were only a few comments received regarding new settlements and large urban extensions. However in terms of other reasonable alternatives to be considered, there was a desire by a number of respondents to further investigate new settlement options. Concern was also raised with regards to large urban extensions particular in and around Uckfield.
12. The overwhelming majority did not support the South Wealden option. [The document goes on to give reasons. My own impression when browsing the responses before adding my own were that most people commenting on the proposed plan came from the South of the area.]

Recommendation

The recommendation is complicated but my understanding is that they are going to try and speak to the Secretary of State about some of the assumptions. Also originally preferred (South Wealden) option is going to come under close scrutiny due to the numbers of people in the South highlighting perceived unfairness.

Question 12 concerns Uckfield town centre

It defines various boundaries.

Map 28 from Wealden Local Plan document.

Analysis - Question 12

Question 12 relates to the preferred option for testing for Uckfield Town Centre. This question attracted a relatively low (13) number of responses in comparison to other questions. Slightly more respondents agreed with the preferred option for testing, than disagreed. Of those responses 46.15% agreed, whilst 20.77% disagreed and 23.08% did not offer any comment.

51. Although there was a significant proportion of support, comments were limited. However, it was indicated that owing to the perceived prominence of Uckfield within the town centre hierarchy then it should be made clear that growth is supported. Concern is raised about the loss of green spaces that characterise the town and specifically Luxford Field. The importance of good design as well as practicality is also highlighted, including issues resulting from including a primary school within the town centre boundaries.

Recommendation

52. It is recommended to proceed with the preferred option for testing. However, any potential loss of green space or other infrastructure will need to be considered and off set if necessary. In addition, any impact of potential development on the character of the area will need to be considered further. It is proposed that this will be discussed with Uckfield Town Council as part of continuing dialogue on this matter.

Question 21 concerns where to put new shops etc. in Uckfield town centre

Wealden's  preferred option for more floorspace in Uckfield Town Centre is to the west of the High Street, north of Bell Lane, east of Belmont Road, Luxford Field and car parking area.

Analysis – Question 21

72. This question asks whether people agree or disagree with the preferred option for testing for the allocation of additional retail provision in Uckfield Town Centre. The preferred option includes the focus of additional floor space in Uckfield Town Centre to the west of the High Street, north of Bell Lane, east of Belmont Road, Luxford Field and car parking area.

73. There were a relatively low number of responses to this question. 50% of those responding were in favour of the option with 20% in disagreement and the remainder not stating any preference. There is general support for this option although there is concern about car parking provision and the need to protect Luxford Field and other local buildings as well as the need to retain small independent shops.

Recommendation

74. It is recommended that further work will be undertaken to consider the concerns raised.

Neighbourhood Plans - 100 referendums

The Neighbourhood Plan process has been running a few years now and the Dept. for Communities and Local Government celebrates the milestone of 100 referendums in England.

I thought it would be interesting to reflect on the "Scores on the Doors" paying particular attention to Sussex.  There are several steps to creating a Neighbourhood Plan, starting with designating an area.  We did this back in 2013 and you can see the map on our website.

 

I've copied the following map from the document talking about the 100 referendums.  It shows the authorities that have the most "made" Neighbourhood Plans. "made" means that they are in force, alongside the district's Local Plan.  Of the top 5, Arun is top (with 14) by a long way and Mid Sussex is doing fairly well (with 4) too.

As far as I know, none of the Wealden area plans have gone to referendum or have been "made".  A bit of quick Googling shows that about half-a-dozen Wealden communities are somewhere in the process ranging from Hellingly, who have just finished consulting on their designated area to Maresfield, who in the words of November's edition of The Fairwarp Echo...

"... have been working on a Neighbourhood Development Plan for the Parish, and have consulted, and have consulted widely on many of the issues over the last two or three years. We are expecting that a final draft will be presented for a six week final consultation in the Parish (and with outside consultees too) within the next month or two. The Plan will include some important policies for our villages which, when the Plan has been examined and approved in a parish-wide referendum, will become part of the statutory planning framework for Maresfield. Key amongst these policies will be those on housing including where in Maresfield the 50 houses should be built."

Maresfield were advised by Maroon, who assisted Uckfield with our consultation event on the 7th of March.

Richard (former Chairman) and Alec Munro of Maroon on March 7th.





Of course, if you consider the thousands of communities there must be in England,  100 isn't that big a number.  The statistics in the document show how many communities are somewhere in the process:

What struck me, reading the 100 referendums document, is that the whole process depends on volunteers. Our group is a little thin at the moment and more hands are really needed.

I am really intrigued by the contrast between Arun and other Sussex districts and I wonder what they are doing right?

The 100 referendums document is here - BEWARE that the links in it are broken so avoid touching active areas because your browser will ponder for a bit before going to a dead page.

Wealden Local Plan Issues and Recommendations September 2015 - Exhibition

This is all rather big and complicated but the Neighbourhood Plan will eventually have to sit alongside it so it is a good idea to have your say.

You can find all the resources here on the Wealden web site

I'm not going through everything. I'm just going to summarize answers to questions I asked at the exhibition.  BEWARE that it is entirely possible that I have mangled answers.

Note: I am adding information I have acquired after the exhibition.
Blue items are further info from Wealden
Orange items are my own reading.

Need for a Plan

Answer (27 Oct): If Wealden doesn't create an acceptable plan within the next couple of years, Central Government will impose one.

What the options etc. mean

(27 Oct)
Issue - that is simple enough it just indicates what we are talking about (e.g. landscape)

Option
Question: What do the numbered options mean?
Answer: They represent everything that has to be considered by law. They are assessed in the Sustainability Assessment (SA) against the objectives listed in the SA.

Preferred option for testing
Question: What does this mean?
Answer: This the option(s) that will be taken forward to the next stage.  The SA shows which have been chosen.

Sustainable Development (p21)

Glossary says: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

(27 Oct) I asked for  a more precise definition.  Apparently Wealden haven't really gone beyond this. The phrase comes from the Bruntland report. It is possible to find out online what the general meaning is.  The meaning embraces:

• close to public transport
• level of services
• green spaces
• improving public transport.

Housing Market (p31, 8.8)

Question: We seem to be willing to step up and offer more than our fair share of housing if neighbouring areas can't/won't make their share. Why?

Answer  (27 Oct): SHMA (Strategic Housing Market Assessment) => Our housing need from demographic and economic figures.  We have a legal duty to cooperate with our neighbours. However they must prove that they cannot meet their housing need.

Ashdown Forest (p36, 8.32)

Question: Why would Wealden need/want an option that does not seek to protect Ashdown Forest?
Answer  (27 Oct) : Need to consider the possibility while testing but not considered reasonable at the moment.

New Settlement and Large Urban Extension (p43, Fig 4)

Question: What are the numbers for the settlements near Uckfield.
Answer  (27 Oct) : Please see SA.

8 Nov: The SA Part 1, Section 4.6.4 (page 90) says:
Isfield – 5,000 dwellings
West of A22, Uckfield – 4,000 dwellings
North west of A22 – 5,000 dwellings
Maresfield – 5,000 dwellings.

South Wealden Housing Option (p51, Fig 5)

Answer: Preferred option - protects Ashdown Forest.

Multi Centre Housing Option - Towns (p54, Table 7)

Question: What does the 920 against Uckfield mean?
Answer  (27 Oct) : This will be considered if the need to protect Ashdown Forest goes away.
Uckfield will get 920 more houses on top of Ridgewood - NOT CERTAIN - QUESTION WITH WEALDEN.

Question (6 Nov):I want to recheck an answer in case I misunderstood.  Multi Centre Housing Option - Towns (p54, Table 7).  There is a figure of 920 for “Number of additional dwellings (Including Outstanding Core Strategy Growth”).  My understanding is that the 920 is ON TOP of the approximately 1,000 earmarked for the Ridgewood Farm development. Is that correct?
Answer: In regards to your original questions and question 3 in particular regarding the multi centre housing Option, the 920 would be in addition to the 1,000 allocated to Uckfield already. This is because the multi centre housing Option considers housing growth in the District if the issues with the Ashdown Forest did not exist. In that scenario Uckfield could accommodate more housing. We had to include it within the document as although it is not a reasonable option at present, it could be a suggested approach if the Ashdown Forest issues did not exist. The Preferred Option for Testing as you will see does not adopt this approach and does not seek to allocate any more housing in Uckfield above the 1,000 dwellings.

Development Boundary (p90)

Question: It says "incorporation where appropriate of intervening greenfield land." Does this mean the green space would be built on?
Answer  (27 Oct) : No. It means that development comes under the development rules rather than the tougher countryside rules.

Town and Village Centres - Uckfield (p135)

Question (6 Nov): I am looking at the Preferred Option for Testing 13 - Uckfield Town Centre.  It is talking about the "Town Centre Boundary".  Is this the same as the "Town Centre area" shown on Map 28 – Uckfield Town Centre?
Answer (6 Nov): In terms of the “Town Centre Boundary” and the “Town Centre Area” terminology, they do indeed refer to the same thing and it is just a difference in the terminology.

Landscape (p221)

8 Nov: They refer to The Wealden Landscape and Settlement Character Assessment (November 2014)

Dog Gym (p313)

Question: What is it?
Answer (27 Oct) : An outside area with some simple obstacles for exercising dogs.

Consultation Portal

Following up from query at Exhibition
Question (6 Nov): The consultation portal says “Please read the ‘Guidance Notes for Respondents’ in the ‘Supporting Documents’ tab below before making any comments.”
However I cannot see a document of this name in the Supporting Documents
Recheck portal in about a week.

Shoreham - Uckfield Pays its Respects

I love it when the air shows are on in the summer. We get aircraft of all sorts passing our way going to or from the different events. There was no reason to expect that the 22nd of August, 2015, would be different to any other summer Saturday.

Then the news starting filtering through on Twitter. Something had happened. It was possible that a couple of people had died.  Knowing social media's tendency to exaggerate, I did a quick fact check. Several sources, notably BBC Sussex and AirLive.net confirmed that a Hawker Hunter had crashed. Suddenly my feeds were full of images of fire and smoke.

As the hours and days went by, the news got progressively worse. Late on Sunday afternoon a rather forlorn trickle of aircraft passed over. In the end it was established that 11 people died and many were injured.

The people of Shoreham commemorated the victims of this appalling tragedy by placing flowers on Shoreham's old toll bridge.  Soon it was announced that a one minute silence would be held. In Uckfield, people were soon asking questions - Would the maroon be fired? Should people gather in the town?

James Anderson, local councillor and shopkeeper, stepped into the breach and organised the minute's silence. And so more than 100 of us found ourselves just outside Hartfields in the middle of the town waiting for the first maroon. 

People gathering outside Hartfields.

I moved round taking photos as unobtrusively as possible. I was touched to hear a mother explaining to her small children why it was important to stay silent after 'the big bang'.  As the Deputy Mayor, Duncan Bennet gave a poignant explanation of what was happening, a white butterfly flew just above the group of councillors.

Uckfield Town Councillors.

As the first maroon sounded, James Anderson stepped forward and mounted the wreath on the town sign pole.

Wreath provided by staff at Miss Bloomsbury.

Even the clatter of cutlery at the outside tables stopped and some of the diners stood up. For one long minute, we reflected on what had happened and honoured everyone who had been involved with the Shoreham tragedy. When the second maroon sounded it was time for the town to get back to its usual bustling self.

Crowds dispersing.

Uckfield's Elections

This spring, on the 7th of May 2015 Uckfield, like the rest of the UK, is having elections. Uckfield is currently in the Wealden constituency, which nearly always falls to the Conservatives. Barring a major upset, we can reasonably expect to see the Conservative candidate, Nus Gahni, elected on Thursday.  In a slightly surreal twist, the real choice was made in the primary back on the 6th of December 2013. In a golf club. With 400 voters.

This got me wondering if parliamentary elections had always been so predictable. So I started burrowing round to find out what had happened in the past.

Wealden: 1983 - ongoing

Wealden has only existed as a constituency since 1983.  Since then it has had two MPs, both Conservative. The only real change is that the boundary became a lot more wiggly in the 2010 changes.

East Grinstead: 1885 - 1983

Before 1983, Uckfield was part of the East Grinstead constituency. In this time it had eight MPs, seven conservative and one Liberal (1906 to 1910).  To my surprise, from 1955 to 1965, there was a woman MP, Evelyn Emmet.

East Sussex: 1832 - 1885

Before 1885, Constituencies were much larger and had two MPs each. Uckfield was part of East Sussex.  The table listing the MPs over that time shows a little more blue than yellow/orange.

Pas de Change?

So, early on, there was some variety but since 1910 the constituency containing Uckfield has returned only Conservative MPs.  You might be forgiven for thinking nothing has changed in that time - but you would be wrong. Unlike the women of the Edwardian era, I can vote. However, with such predictable results, you might wonder why I bother. 

Here are my reasons:

• First, I find myself remembering the women who died so I could put my cross in a box. 
• I think that much of the Lib Dem vote will get redistributed in an unpredictable way, so all bets are off
• In post election negotiations, the percentage across the UK may well matter.
• I hope the constituency becomes more marginal. That way, they will stop assuming they can walk all over us without consequences.
• Finally, new ways of communicating with candidates, enabled by social media, are emerging. Many of the hopefuls (notably some standing for local elections) are engaged in genuine two-way conversations, which will help everyone understand each other better.  While the parliamentary seat is stuck in the same old groove, I'm hoping that the Uckfield Spring is a sign of a new way of doing politics.