Horam & Vines Cross Village Diary

Horam and Vines Cross Village Diary

March 2024

Lunch Qi Gong Days Out

Afternoon Tea Knitting Watercolour Painting

Singing Baking Crafting & Creating Dancing Games Fun with the Children

Events Coming up Bingo & Tea Dance

2nd & 4th Thursday every month 2-4pm at The Union Church

Events Coming up Xmas Wreath Making Visits to local schools for their Christmas concerts

Uniting generations in the glorious setting of Heathfield Park Cricket Club, The Pavilion, Old Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 9AE

Uniting generations in the glorious setting of Heathfield Park Cricket Club, The Pavilion, Old Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 9AE 10-3.30pm Tuesday, Thursday & Friday

10-4pm Tuesday, Thursday & Friday

If you would love to come along or know someone that would Call Rachel on 07971 032667

If you would love to come along or know someone that would Call Rachel on 07971 032667

www.youngatheart.me.uk

Follow us

www.youngatheart.me.uk Follow us

We meet 2nd Saturday of every month at Horam Village Hall TN21 0JE (A267)

Next Session 11th November 2023 - 9.30-12 noon

Next Session 9th March 2023 - 9.30-12 noon

We hope to see you! Help us preserve our environment and dent our throw-away culture. Everyone is welcome - Yummy home-baked cakes & refreshments while you wait!

Items we repair include: computers, electrical items, cycles, minor mechanical problems, furniture and small sewing repairs

On most occasions we will be able to repair: computers - electrical items - cyclesminor mechanical problems - furniture - small sewing repairs

Everyone is welcome - join us for home-baked cakes & refreshments

Art helps us

Art can aid our recovery from grief or loneliness

Why not come along with friends or book a group at one of our venues and enjoy some art and craft time

We can help you record your memories in frames, collages, journals and paintings of memorable places or just simply enjoy time with others and meet new friends

Come along for a cuppa, cake and good company

Call Samantha about our sessions in Crowborough or Heathfield

07359 054416

Art Classes

Watercolour - Acrylic - Brushos - Inks Drawing - Clay - Crafts - Printing

CHERRY SPRING STUDIO

Children’s & Adults Regular Art Classes

School Holiday Workshops

Arty Parties & Group Bookings

Private Lessons/GCSE Tuition Commissions

Cherry Spring Studio The Blacksmiths

PODIATRIST & CHIROPODIST Over 13 years NHS experience

Mara Ragaiolo BSc (Hons) Podiatry

HCPC registered and a member of the College of Podiatry

Now at Horam Healthcare Clinic, High Street, Horam TN21 0EL

All aspects of Podiatry and Chiropody including: Nail Cutting, Ingrowing Toenails, Corns and Callus, Verrucae Therapies, Foot Pain, & Diabetic Footcare and Assessment.

Payment by Cash, Cheque or Bank Transfer.

To book an appointment with Mara at Horam Healthcare Clinic

Tel: Pauline on 01435 866227 where you can also leave a message at anytime.

Home Visiting Service also available.

To book a Home Visit with Mara call 07703156799 or email tmfootcare@mail.com

Stepping Stones Podiatr y

Podiatry/Chiropody

Home Visiting Service

Jane Stoner BSc(Hons) MRCPod HCPC registered

• Professional and friendly service in the comfort of your home.

• All aspects of foot and nail care.

• Areas covered: Heathfield, Horam, Mayfield, Uckfield and surrounding villages.

To arrange a visit: 07809 210836 steppingstonespodiatry@gmail.com www.steppingstonespodiatry.co.uk

MARIA SMITH SPORTS & REMEDIAL MASSAGE THERAPY

How can sports massage help you?

-relieves tension -eases sore/tight muscles -improves circulation -improves joint mobility -enhances wellbeing -increase flexibility & range of motion

Fully air conditioned studio in Horam or mobile service available.

Appointments: 1 hour = £40 45 minutes = £35

Each massage caters for your needs – relax and unwind!

Tel: 07786 220179 Email: mariasmassage21@gmail.com

Website: mariasmassage.co.uk

These are some of the treatments we offer :-

 Kinesiology

 Hypnotherapy & NLP

 Massage

 Reflexology

 Beauty treatments using 100% natural products

Therapies and treatments available in a quiet and relaxed setting in Horam

 Biofeedback therapy using the amazing QUEX ED device

 Weightloss Help

Give us a call to book something you fancy … all our therapists also offer vouchers which make great gifts

Tel Daynna - 07770 820673

Email – Daynna@the-crystal-rooms.co.uk www.the-crystal-rooms.co.uk

Ray Wicker - for all your Double glazing and Carpentry needs!

Double glazing:

• Replacement of windows and doors in UPVC, aluminium and timber.

• Service & repairs to your existing double glazed windows eg replace old misted glass units, replace broken handles, hinges and locks, re-trim and seal old windows.

• Install UPVC fascia, soffit and guttering - full replacment or cap over.

• Install new or replace shiplap cladding in UPVC or timber.

Carpentry:

• Hang doors, fit door liners, architrave, locks, handles skirting etc.

• Custom built in wardrobes/shelves, build flat pack furniture etc.

• Stud walls, insulation board, plasterboard.

• Build garden sheds, summer houses, garden decking etc.

• Fit curtain poles and blinds.

• Replace kitchen/bathroom silicone.

• Install new kitchen carcases, doors etc.

All jobs considered big or small. Please call Ray Wicker on 07960 503844

Coffee Morning

Saturday March 9th

10.00am. to 12.00

In Union Church Hall

Corner of Heathfield High Street and Station Road (by the roundabout)

Supporting the work of Churches Together in our community and in our schools Coffee, cake, raffle and other stalls

Everyone is welcome!

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN HEATHFIELD & DISTRICT

Heathfield Walk of Witness

Friday March 29th 2024

9.30 a.m.

Starting at Heathfield Fire Station and joining the service at Union Church at 10.00 a.m.

Coffee and hot cross buns in the church hall afterwards

Everyone is welcome!

Later distribution of buns to people in streets and shops.

Christ Church Fellowship

We wish you all peace and joy throughout 2024

We invite you to come and join us on Tuesday March 26th at 2.pm For our Easter Service our Vicar PJ will give a Easter talk..

The service will be followed by afternoon tea... ALL WELCOME

We meet at Christ Church Horebeech Lane Horam TN21 0DT

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN HEATHFIELD & DISTRICT

Chimney Sweep

Sadly, due to Victorian health & safety regulations, only children of under 14” shoulder measurement may be employed.

A Clean Sweep - your local chimney sweep

Make sure your fireplace is safe with a professional sweep.

• All types of residential chimneys swept.

• Wood & multi-fuel stoves cleaned and serviced.

• Inspection & preparation of all chimneys for stove installation.

• Bird guards & cowls fitted.

• RSPB nominated bird removal man for East Sussex.

• Smoke test & certification for every sweep.

• Member of Association of Professional Independent Chimney Sweeps (APICS).

• Now certified woodburner installer.

Ross Atabey on 01435 812153/07941 315214

Email: acleansweep009@gmail.com

acleansweephoram

Services for March:

Sun 3rd 10.30am Family Communion (with children’s groups yrs1-6)

Sun 10th 10.30am Family Worship (with children’s groups yrs1-6)

Sun 17th 10.00am Together@10Church for Everyone

(please see information elsewhere in the Diary)

Sun 24th 10.30am Family Worship (with children’s groups yrs1-6)

Fri 29th 10.30am Good Friday Service (at Christ Church, with Horam Chapel)

Sun 31st 10.30am Easter Sunday - Family Communion (followed by Easter Egg Hunt)

An audio copy of the Sunday morning reading & sermon is available on our website within 24hrs of each service.

Other Activities:

Crossways - drop-in for refreshments & chat (Wednesday 6th March 10.00-12.00)

Bible Study - Growth Groups

Jumping Beans - Parent & Toddler Group (Thursdays 10.00-11.30 during term-time)

Fellowship Group (Tuesday 26th March at 2.00pm)

Supporting Horam Christian Care Group

If you’d like the opportunity of a chat, or if you’d like us to pray for or with you, please do make contact:

Vicar: Revd PJ Guy 01435 813372 vicar@christchurchhoram.org

Wardens: Maryanne Ford 01435 817769 Davina Jones 01323 844552

Hall Hire: Jane Thomas 01435 810398

together @10 church for everyone

www.christchurchhoram.org

It’s our church for everyonetogether@10 - at Christ Church Horam. Come along and find out what it’s

all about!!!

We start with refreshments, with chat, activities for the children, then a service for ALL the family. Why not enjoy it with us!!

Our together@10 Service is on S Sunday 17th March at 10.00am

RIVER MEAD NURSERY

• Drainage

• Fencing

• Brickwork

• Grass Cutting

• Shrub Clearance/Hedge Cutting

• Footings

• Patios

07585391165

contact@bggroundworks.co.uk

Foords Lane, Vines Cross, Horam, East Sussex TN21 9HB

Telephone No. 01435 813353 Email – info@rivermeadnursery.co.uk

Website - www.rivermeadnursery.co.uk

We have a wide selection of plants:-

Bedding Plants, Herbs, Vegetable Plants, Perennials, Shrubs, Fruit Bushes, Fruit Trees, Ornamental Trees, Grasses, Cacti, Agaves.

Also available –

Home grown produce (seasonal vegetables, herbs, fruit, cut flowers and eggs).

Opening Times: Winter 9am-dusk Monday - Saturday

globe, ensuring that your travel aspirations align

finding your ideal holiday at the right price

booking, we take pride in delivering exceptional service.

return year after year, recommending our

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Ceramic,

Silicon

Carpentry,

Tuesday

GEORGE

Horam ChurchesSer vices this Easter

At the heart of Christianity is a glorious hope for all, centred on the person and work of Jesus Christ. It’s a hope that deals with our past, provides strength and joy for our present and promises a certain future beyond our wildest dreams. This Easter, the churches in Horam would love to help you discover this hope that God has for you. Why not come along to one of our Easter services listed below and find out more? We look forward to welcoming you.

With all good wishes,

PJ Guy Vicar Christ Church Horam (CCH)

Keith Delves Horam Chapel (HC)

A

Term-time: Thursdays 10.00am-11.30am (50p per morning)

Horebeech Lane

Horam TN21 0DT

horamchapel.org.uk/h2o

SUPPORT LIFE-SAVING RESEARCH WITH CANCER RESEARCH UK’S FREE WILL SERVICE

Heathfield Sussex Will Writers have pledged to join forces with the UK’s leading cancer charity - Cancer Research UK, to help highlight the power of gifts in Wills in saving lives.

1 in 2 people will get cancer in their lifetime*. All of us can play our part to help beat it, and Sussex Will Writers will be facilitating gifts in Wills that fund pioneering research that is saving lives on a global scale.

The firm based on the High Street will provide the charity’s Free Will Service, where legal professionals will offer free support to people aged over 18 who wish to write or update a simple Will.

It is super easy to use, and the experts are on hand to guide you through the process step-by-step to tailor your Will in a way that suits you. Sussex Will Writers Limited, Suite A, 39A High Street, Heathfield, TN21 8HU

Contact: 01435 511600 or emma.headworth@sussexwillwritersltd.co.uk

Website: www.sussexwillwriters.com

v RESIDENTIAL CARE v DAYCARE v RESPITE CARE

‘Our aim is to provide each resident with a caring and secure environment and the means to live life to the full extent, with privacy, independence and dignity’.

En suite and garden view rooms available

For enquiries call us on

01435 812170

Vines Cross Road, Horam TN21 0HF

The Horam Fun Day 2024

On The Horam Recreation Ground 12-30 til 5-00 pm

THE DATE FOR YOUR DIARY IS SUNDAY 14th JULY

This will be the 20th on a Sunday Plans are under way for this to be special.

Anyone interested in having a stall. Please contact:

Brenda Mackln (01435 812018)

If you wish to help in any way, more volunteers are needed please contact Dave.

Dave Sutton 01435 812462 m 07889 652586

Email; davesutton2011@hotmail.co.uk

Information will be in the Village Diary each month.

07746933209

www.anasflowers.co.uk

We are very lucky to have such an amazing charity locally that cares for our wildlife. WRAS are always grateful for donations of towels, pillow slips, blankets and cat food. These items can be left at: Unit 8, The Shaw Barn, Whitesmith, BN8 6JD.

Why not visit their charity shop in Eastbourne? 01323 643111.

Any animal in trouble call 0781 50 78234, for anything else call 01825 873003.

Horam & Vines Diary Advert March 2024_128x45mm_Layout 1 11/12/2023 13:53 Page 1

For the rescue and re-homing of unwanted & abandoned animals, wildlife rescue & rehabilitation

Kindness WinsTrust

01825 830444 • www.kitwilsontrust.org.uk

Registered Charity No. 1143338

CHERRY TREE COURT

Welcomes you all

A warm welcome awaits you.

Every Monday we hold a bingo & raffle evening join us from 6pm for a 6.30pm start

Every Friday we gather for a coffee morning from 10.30am

We look forward to seeing you!

Find us opposite Horam Chapel

CROSSWAYS COFFEE MORNING

Wednesday 6th March 10am - 12 noon at Christchurch, Horebeech Lane, Horam.

ROYS PLUMBING SERVICES

Full bathroom installation service

CROSSWAYS COFFEE MORNING

EVERYONE WILL BE MADE WECOME INCLUDING CHILDREN.

Taps, Water Tanks, Cylinders, Radiators

Drains, Gutters, Emergency Call Out

All types of plumbing undertaken NO JOB TOO SMALL

Wednesday 1st November 10am-12noon at Christchurch, Horebeech Lane, Horam.

EVERYONE WILL BE MADE WELCOME INCLUDING CHILDREN.

Call Roy Varley 01435 866312/07920 144067

Meet with friends, make new friends and enjoy good coffee/tea and homemade cake. We meet the first Wednesday of every month, everybody is welcome.

Meet with friends, make new friends and enjoy good coffee/tea and homemade cake. We meet the first Wednesday of every month, everybody is welcome. We shall look forward to seeing you all.

Local, Friendly, Fully Reliable professional  service, NO CALL OUT CHARGE, Free estimates, All Work Full Guaranteed, NO HIDDEN COSTS.

We shall look forward to seeing all.

March Gardening Diary

" As many mists as ye have in March, so many frosts in May "

March is one of the busier months of the year in the garden and it is a good thing to be kept busy during the long gloom of Lent.

The planting of deciduous trees, shrubs, fruits and roses should be completed as soon as possible to give them a chance to get a grip of the soil before drought may punish them. In a warm sheltered border we may be planting evergreens such as Laurels, conifers, hollies, azaleas and rhododendrons. Most herbaceous perennials can also be planted now. Rose pruning should be carried on and finished by the Ides, subject to the weather; better not to prune during a period of heavy frost. Hybrid tea roses may be pruned back to five or so buds with all sickly and dead wood cut away. Climbing roses should have their side branches cut back to two buds. It is worth feeding the roses with a dedicated rose fertiliser now as the leaves are making their first appearance and spraying with a fungicide from now until June should keep the leaves looking clean all season. Unlike most bulbousrooted plants, snowdrops will benefit from being lifted and divided every few years as the clumps can become overcrowded, leading to a mass of blind shoots.

In the vegetable garden we should be aiming first at the creation of the all-important fine tilth. As always, the weather is master/mistress. The soil should be visibly drying; better to wait until the end of the month or beyond before sowing a seed if there is any hint of stickiness. The reader will have dug over the plot thoroughly last autumn, digging in barrowfuls of ungulate droppings, compost, shoddy and celebrity magazines. The floods and gales of winter will have weathered the diggings down to an uneven crumbly surface. Patient raking eventually renders our seed bed smooth and fine, air pockets being trodden out as we go. We might allow ourselves five minutes leaning on the rake indulging in a short pipe and a gloat over our seed bed, well prepared and superior to next door's. Only now may we sow. The first sowings may be of peas, leeks, parsnips (always use new seed), broad beans, parsley, spinach and radishes, onion and shallot sets may be planted nearer the end of the month, a trowel is better than a dibber for these as any compaction encourages them to wriggle free of the ground. Garlic may still be planted but no time should be lost. New beds of Thyme, Tarragon, Mint and other herbs may be planted out towards the middle of Lent.

Early potatoes to go in around St.Patrick's Day, six inches down, these early plantings will run some risk from frost but it is good to see the neat rows of tight foliage as soon as possible and any frost-blackened shoots will soon be replaced. The older gardening books advised to carry around a bale of straw at all times during March and early April to spread over tender shoots in the case of a late frost.

For those who commune with the moon and garden by her phases and the biodynamic system of lunar planting, root crops to be planted or sown during the waning gibbous, from the 25th to 8th April. The rows for runner beans may be prepared now, this should involve digging in barrowfuls of compost or horsey stuff a foot and a half down and allowed to settle down over the next six to eight weeks before sowing.

After such exercises in self-sufficiency we may repair to the shed to indulge another long pipe and enjoy the sounds of Indian wickets a-tumbling.

Heathfield Morning WI

Our next meeting is on Meeting on 12th March

Easter Bonnet Competition

10am to 12pm at The Main Hall Union Church Station Road

Heathfield TN21 8LB

We are a new WI that meet in the morning and would like you to join us

Just come along - Meet social ladies Do some activities - Go on an outing

Listen to some great speakers

If you would like to find out more you can email us at heathfieldmorningwi@gmail.com

HORAM AND HEATHFIELD FLOWER CLUB

Friendship Through Flowers

We meet every second Thursday of the month excluding January

Doors open 7pm commencing at 7.30pm

Heathfield Community Centre

Sheepsetting Lane

Heathfield

TN21 0XG

Contact details

Phyllis Stevens

01435 863224

Horam WI

We meet on the

First Tuesday of every month 2pm - 4pm at West End, Christchurch, Horebeech Lane, Horam

Join us at our March meeting when we have Katie Richards talking about The History and Restoration of Hailsham Pavilion Cinema

Ladies, you are always welcome and every meeting always includes time for a cuppa and a chat!

Contact us for more details and a friendly chat

T: Kim 01435 813942 horamwi@gmail.com

www.east-sussex/thewi.org.uk/find-wi/horam

Monday Tea Club

2024 Dates

March: 4th & 18th April 8th & 22nd

from 3.00pm to 4.00pm at Horam Chapel

We have an interesting speaker followed by afternoon tea All are Welcome

HORAM PARISH COUNCIL NEWS

Members of the Parish Council and the Clerk attended the funeral of the recently retired former Clerk Sally Blades to pay their respects. She will be greatly missed and worked very hard for the Horam parish.

On a brighter note the Council have co-opted Sue Lane, a former councillor, back onto the Council. She has, with other councillors and members of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, worked tirelessly on the Horam Neighbourhood Plan, and is a great asset to the community.

Thank you to all those that responded to the Horam Neighbourhood Plan Consultation. There were 198 responses in total, which is an excellent level of feedback. The NP now goes to an independent planning examiner to be reviewed.

If you would like to attend the planning appeal for the Land East of Rosemead, a development for 46 new dwellings, it is being held at the East Sussex National Golf Club at Little Horsted on Tuesday 5th March at 10am. The Parish Council have already unanimously recommended refusal for this application and will have a representative speaker on the day. It has been designated as Local Green Space in the Horam Parish Council Neighbourhood Plan.

The Parish Council will be holding a public meeting on Friday 8th March at the Horam Village Hall at 6pm to explain and clarify details of the Wealden District Council Draft Local Plan ahead of the WDC consultation on Saturday 4th May at the Horam Village Hall. Councillors will happily answer any queries that you might have. The Local Plan will help shape the future development of the village and your feedback will be very important.

The Annual Parish Assembly is being held on Thursday 16th May at the Horam Village Hall at 6pm. This is a public meeting of the electorate where you can have your say about the area you live in, what you are happy about and what you would like to change. The analysis of the data collected from the community at the Parish Council Open Evening in October will be discussed with a proposed action plan. There will also be guest speakers. More information will be circulated and advertised in due course.

Please save the date for the next Skate Jam. The event will be held at the Horam Skate Park on Tuesday 9th April which is during the Easter holidays. There will be trained professionals on site and all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend.

Community Speed Watch is a scheme run by volunteers and administered by Sussex Police. Please contact Jane Trott the local administrator at jane.trott@btinternet.com if you wish to be involved or visit

https://www.communityspeedwatch.org/FRONT-v2-Home.php

All the meetings of the council are public meetings. Please come along and have your say. There is a public participation part at the beginning of each meeting where members of the public are invited to speak on any of the agenda items. The agenda for any council meeting is always published at least 3 days before the meeting and is available on the council website https://horam. com/ and the parish council notice boards. These are located at the Horam Centre and in the Memorial Garden.

If you have any accessibility issues regarding physically attending a council meeting please contact the Clerk directly who will arrange access to the meeting via zoom.

Please report any crimes or anti-social behaviour to the police through 101. They cannot investigate an incident unless there is a crime report.

The parish council office hours:

Tuesday: 9.30am – 12.30pm

Wednesday: 9.30am – 12.30pm

Thursday: 9.30am – 12.30pm

Friday: 10.00am – 1.00pm

You can contact the Parish Council by email, post or telephone.

Parish Clerk: clerk@horam.com , 01435 812151 or 07900 576236

The Clerk, Horam Parish Council, The Horam Centre, High Street, Horam

DRAFT LOCAL PLAN

https://www.wealden.gov.uk/UploadedFiles/Appendix-1-Draft-WealdenLocal-Plan-Regulation-18.pdf

• It is by no means perfect and open to change but it is much better than not having a plan; we either allow development to continue without a plan - or we manage it better with a plan.

• It must work within government’s strict parameters (the National Planning Policy Forum and Planning Practice Guidance) radically limiting a community-led approach and the hope for reducing housing targets.

• Despite this, there are important improvements over the extant Development Plan.

• The sites put forward in Horam Parish are deeply disappointing. BUT developers would apply to build there anyway. Without a LP the outcome would be worse.

• Some 29 sites have been turned down. Some sites clash with proposals in Horam NP. Please see the SHELAA 2024: https://www.wealden.gov.uk/UploadedFiles/ SHELAA-Main-Report-February-2024.pdf; https://www.wealden.gov.uk/UploadedFiles/SHELAA-Appendix-4-Parish-Summaries-February-2024.pdf (Horam pp 401-9 (suitable sites), 410-35 (unsuitable)

On 8th of February, Full Council voted for the Draft LP to go forward for consultation: https:// wealden.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/841945

An 8-week public consultation starts early March. A public meeting in Horam Village Hall is planned, date tbc. Please register on consultation site: https://consult.wealden.gov.uk/kse/.

Your two ward members took part throughout the general process since autumn 2023. We spoke up for Horam. Against some resistance, I mentioned Horam specifically in the LP Sub-Committee, 29th January 2024: https://wealden.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/844336. As a result, an explanation for HOR2 (Cauldavon) was added.

Central government has NOT revised its annual housing targets: 1200 per year for Wealden for next 20 years. BUT the total number in the draft is only 955 p.y. Almost 500 p.y. have planning permission but are not built yet or for sale So only 463 p.a brand new dwellings will be considered, much less than before. Over 50% of Wealden is protected by High Weald National Landscapes (AONB). Areas outside, like much of Horam, bear the brunt of allocated sites.

Raised environmental standards in draft: renewable and low carbon energy in new buildings; 20% (rather than 10%) Biodiversity Net Gain; higher standards for water consumption; a buffer zone of 25m rather than 15m for Ancient Woodland; strong protection for trees, woodlands and hedgerows; more 2- and 3-bedroom (cheaper for residents), fewer 4- and 5-beds and a larger percentage of affordable housing.

Public Appeal Hearing of Land East of Rosemead: 10am on 5 March 2024, East Sussex National, Little Horsted, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 5ES. I shall speak to uphold refusal.

Come and see me at the next Repair Café, Horam Village Hall, 9 March, 9.30-11am

Cornelie Usborne, Green Party councillor for Horam & Punnetts Town, cllr.cornelie.usborne@ wealden.gov.uk, 07979336401.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

Wealden Plan set to double size of Horam!

Wealden District Council last month approved publication of a Draft Local Plan that sets out how it intends to accommodate development over the next 15 years.

The vast majority (90%) of growth is focussed in the “Low Weald” parts of the district, with relatively little further housing planned at Crowborough, Heathfield or Wadhurst.

While further town growth at Hailsham, Uckfield and Polegate is unsurprising, the scale of growth at Horam is, to say the least, striking.

The ‘development allocations’ at Horam would provide for 847 dwellings (in addition to the 130 dwellings already with planning permission but not yet built) - which is on a par with Uckfield and Hailsham, and more than twice that at Polegate1.

In fact, it would about double the number of houses in the village in 15 years – which has taken 150 years (since the coming of the railway) to grow to its current size.

This would clearly be transformational, and would change its rural village “feel”.

The vast majority of further housing is proposed to the south of the village, focused on Coxlow Farm, where 750 dwellings are envisaged, along with a new primary school and some employment and community floorspace.

The Local Plan that was approved by district councillors can be viewed here: https://council.wealden.gov.uk/ieListDocuments. aspx?CId=299&MId=5633&Ver=4, while the draft Plan for Horam (taken from the Council papers) is reproduced opposite:

At the time of writing, the exact dates for the consultation are not yet known, but will be over 8 weeks during March - May.

We should highlight that this is a draft Local Plan and are advised that Wealden will hold a consultation shortly, with an exhibition in the Village Hall on Saturday 4th May.

So, residents will have a chance to ask questions – no doubt covering issues like access, traffic, drainage, doctors’ and dentists’ capacity, as well as environmental concerns - and make their views known to the Council - and their local councillors.

So, what does this mean for policies in the Horam Neighbourhood Plan (HNP)?

This is a question we’ve been asked quite a lot and the relationship between the two Plans is confusing.

Wealden had the final draft HNP since the beginning of October last year, but we are sorry to say that it does not appear to have been taken into account in preparing the new Local Plan and, as a result, there are inconsistencies between the Plans.

We would go further and say that the Wealden Local Plan, if progressed in its present form, would undermine key parts of the Neighbourhood Plan that are especially important locally, notably by not seeking to retain the distinct identities of our villages and hamlets, its important green spaces or views.

Of course, the Local Plan is still in “first draft” form for consultation, while Wealden Council has yet to receive, and consider, residents’ views. So, it may change.

In contrast, the HNP is more advanced, having had the benefit of several rounds of input from local people, and is now being assessed by an independent “Examiner”.

We must hope that the Examiner will recognise the considerable evidence and strong local input that underpins the HNP. If so, then Wealden Council will be expected to reconsider its own Plan – to be more responsive to local character and priorities.

David Marlow & Sue Lane (HNP Steering Group members)

PS We realise that there is other development activity ongoing in the Parish (including the hearing on 5th March into proposals for housing between Rosemead and Laundry Lane), but we felt that the emerging Wealden Local Plan and the progress of the Horam Neighbourhood Plans deserved full attention at this point.