Plans for new vicarage in High Hurstwood near Uckfield

Plans have been submitted for a new vicarage to be built in High Hurstwood, near Uckfield.

Documents before Wealden District Council say a parishioner has offered to donate land opposite Holy Trinity Church – and close to the Church of England primary school - along Church Lane off Chillies Lane in the village.

The Rt Rev Wallace Benn, Bishop of Lewes, has written in support of the proposal saying this provides a “unique window of opportunity to make permanent provision in an optimum location”.

He added funds were available for the work to begin if planning permission was granted.

Two more letters have been written in support of the plans. One says the present vicar lives ten miles from the village and this is inconvenient and time-consuming as well as costly in terms of travel.

The letter says: “We have been without a vicarage in High Hurstwood since the old vicarage was sold quite some years ago and there is an urgent need for a permanent replacement to cater not only for the needs of the church in the village but also those of the primary Church of England school.

“We have been extremely fortunate in that the land for a new vicarage has been offered and we are anxious that the opportunity to take up this generous offer is not lost.”

Planning documents say: “The new vicarage, being both a meeting place and the home of the pastor, will represent the heart of the parish for many, and the base for his ministry to the village as a whole.

“In this sense it will provide the missing link for the village. A parish priest living in the community, and being close to the church and the school is a vital economic, as well as an important social, factor to a viable village community.”