Our Independent columnist Observer reckons there are visible signs of confidence in High Street; wonders why so few went to the Local Plan consultation and notes Sussex Police’s planned changes in East Grinstead and wonders what it might mean for Uckfield police station.
Scaffolding has gone up and down at premises in Uckfield High Street during the last few months.
It’s a good sign.
Owners and landlords clearly have confidence in the High Street’s medium to long-term future.
They are investing.
Others are too, as I witness improvements and revamps.
The scaffolding is similar to a barometer I use on the health of the British economy.
Weather the roadworks storm
The more giant cranes I see working from my seat on the train as it approaches London Bridge, the better things are, in my opinion.
In Uckfield, the current shopkeepers will have to weather the roadworks storm.
But the work on premises indicates that many believe there is a brighter future for the High Street after the works are done and are prepared to put their money where their mouth is.
CONSULTATION: It looks like fewer than 300 people went to Wealden District Council’s consultation day on its new Local Plan.
Leaving it too late
In a way, it is a re-run of the previous plan which saw 1,000 homes allocated to Ridgewood Farm.
By the time it dawned on people what was going on, it was too late.
However, Wealden council hardly helps the cause.
Why was the consultation held in the school half-term?
Why did it end at 7pm?
Uckfield is a commuter town
The timing fails to take account of the large number of people in the town who work elsewhere in Sussex, Surrey and London.
I read of leaflets going through people’s doors but I didn’t see one.
However, to be fair, my wife is keen to take anything that is not a letter direct from the front-door letterbox straight out of the back door and into the recycling bin.
Do take part in the online consultation.
If the numbers taking part remain low, Wealden must look again at its consultation processes and be much more proactive.
They cannot sit back and say, we’ve done the consultation and these are the figures.
Police on the move in East Grinstead
POLICE STATION: There was something of a kerfuffle when news broke that Uckfield police station was earmarked for closure with public services being provided from a “counter” in a more central location.
I’ve seen nothing more but was interested to learn the idea is being taken forward at East Grinstead with the police relocating to part of the Chequer Mead Arts Centre to provide a “public contact point and neighbourhood policing base”.
Uckfield next?
See also:
Uckfield Foodbank is extra busy
War medals bought for town
Open 24/7 when you are looking for a business – the Uckfield Directory
How to advertise on UckfieldNews.com
