Buxted Parish Council

Buxted Parish Council came into being in 1894 when the present system of Parish Councils was instituted to give rural communities a voice. Buxted Parish covers some 7,000 acres with an electorate of about 2,500 out of a population of 3,200. It encompasses the villages of Buxted, High Hurstwood and Five Ash Down.

The parish is divided into two wards – Buxted/Five Ash Down (10 councillors) and High Hurstwood (5 councillors). Councils are elected for a term of 4 years. Council meetings are held on the second Tuesday in every month (except August and January), alternating between High Hurstwood Village Hall and Five Ash Down Village Hall, at 19.00. Meetings agendas are displayed one week in advance on the Parish notice boards in Buxted (on the Ionides Trust site), High Hurstwood (outside the village hall) and in Five Ash Down (outside the Village Hall) and on the website. The agenda includes a list of any planning applications received from Wealden District Council for consultation. All meetings of the Council and its committees are open to the public, who are welcome to ask questions or raise issues with the Council before the meetings formally begin.

An early requirement was to provide allotments, which we do. Councils can also support arts and crafts; contribute to maintenance of churchyards; protect commons, provide buildings for public meetings, functions and entertainment, provide footway lighting (we don’t), provide and maintain public open spaces, and comment on planning applications.

We also take an active interest in highways matters, policy and our environment (e.g. trees and hedgerows). More and more we have to comment on government policies for local government and voice our electors’ concerns.

Parish assets include two recreation grounds (Buxted and High Hurstwood), two allotment areas in Buxted and High Hurstwood, children’s play areas in Buxted and High Hurstwood, and two bus shelters. The budget is set annually over the period October to December. Planned expenditure less income forms the ‘Parish Precept’ which is levied as part of annual Council Tax. Apart from meeting general running expenses of the council – specifically employing our Parish Clerk – the council makes grants to local organisations and contributes to local projects e.g. Buxted Traffic calming.

The Parish Council recognises the burden of Council Tax but is also conscious of local needs for improvements in the Parish that increasingly are not being covered by either County or District as they seek to keep within national government budgets. Before increasing Precept to cover costs of local improvements such as the recent traffic calming, the Parish Council ensures that such improvements are what our electorate want and are prepared to pay for.

Councillors sit on various committees (e.g. Finance & Planning) and outside bodies (e.g. Ionides Trust, village hall committees). Each keeps an eye on different parts of the Parish, e.g. for planning purposes and trees.

Our Parish Clerks, Beccy Macklen & Claudine Feltham (01435 515219) clerk@buxted-pc.gov.uk, who act as the Council’s ‘proper officers’ on the Council’s behalf and under its direction.

Latest Parish News

Wealden Community Sports Hub starts taking shape rapidly

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February 2026

Wealden Community Sports Hub starts taking shape rapidly as two FIFA standard football pitches completed

The Wealden Community Sports Hub has been making huge progress as facilities at the site are being completed.

The Wealden Community Sports Hub, based on the outskirts of Hailsham is being built on a site owned by Wealden District Council and has been developed to give residents in the district more sports facilities, thanks to a grant of £3.5million from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.

The community sports hub will be operated by Leisure United once it is completed.

An exciting milestone for the project is the completion of the 3G floodlit football pitches which have been completed to FIFA quality - one pitch is 106 x 70m with spectator standing area, the other is 97 x 61m. Both pitches are suitable for 11 aside and smaller sided games.

For a further update, the main structure of the padel court is now complete, with the final touches being planned for April. The perimeter footpath and soft landscaping is ongoing. Inside the building all doors, skirting and architraves finished and the vinyl flooring. The reception area has been making progress with the desk and café counters installed.

The skatepark is planned for completion this month.

Councillor Kelvin Williams, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) and lead councillor for Public Health and Asset Management, said, “The Wealden Sports Hub has made huge progress over the last few months, with the completion of our FIFA quality football pitches marking a major milestone for the project. These pitches will provide a high-standard, year-round facility for local clubs, matches and residents, helping to address a clear shortage of quality football provision in the area. Alongside this, the kitchen and café space and the skate park are nearing completion, and new car parking has been delivered. This development is about far more than sport. It’s about encouraging active lifestyles, promoting healthy lifestyles and wellbeing, and creating a space that is supporting the heart of our community.”

Mark Coulson, Leisure United Chief Executive Officer, said, “Leisure United is delighted to be operating the Wealden Community Sports Hub and is excited to see the completion of the two FIFA-quality 3G pitches. These facilities will provide high-quality, year-round opportunities for local clubs, groups and residents to take part in football and other activities.

We look forward to bringing the wider Hub to life and creating an inclusive, welcoming space that supports health, wellbeing and community participation across Wealden.”

Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said, “The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country.

“Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities.

“We’re delighted that works are now well underway to deliver The Wealden Community Sports Hub and we’re excited to see the new facilities in action.”

To view more about the timeline of the project, please click here. https://letstalk.wealden.gov.uk/community-sports-hub-exhibition

NOTES TO EDITORS:

As part of the Football Foundation’s Hubs Programme the project received a grant of £3.5million from the Premier League, The FA and government’s Football Foundation, the rest of the project is being funded by the Council. The site will be operated on a not-for-profit basis by the charity, Leisure United and managed by The National Football Trust. Any surplus income generated from the facility will be reinvested into local grassroots sports.

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February 2026

High Weald News - grants for High Weald Champions!

Do you love the High Weald? Do you have an idea that could help its landscape or communities thrive?

The High Weald Lund Fellowship is now open for 2026, offering grants of up to £7500 to people with a connection to the High Weald to develop new skills, ideas and knowledge that will benefit the national landscape.

You may be involved in a charity or community group, or work with the landscape or in farming or nature conservation – or you may simply love the High Weald and want to do something to enhance it.

The Fellowships are for High Weald champions of all kinds - whether you want to explore new farming techniques, support protected species, help build a greener local economy, or inspire others with your passion for the landscape.

The funding can be used for a range of activities, including going to conferences, attending training courses and visiting individuals and organisations doing interesting work. The idea is that you will go on to use the knowledge and ideas you gain from your Fellowship to benefit the High Weald.

We are open to a wide range of ideas. Past Fellowships have included:

Roots of regeneration: Farming stories from the High Weald (Nigel Akehurst)

A celebration of the High Weald’s growing network of regenerative farmers, using in-depth interviews to explore the challenges and triumphs of this holistic way of farming, and inspire others to follow suit.

High Weald: Farm to Fibre (Isabella Goggin)

An exploration of how textiles derived from domesticated livestock – such as wool and hides – could be a viable diversification option for regenerative farmers in the High Weald.

Fellowship holder Isabella Goggin said: “Receiving the fellowship was a joyful moment. Through the fellowship I have gained deeper knowledge and connection. I hope my findings will be useful and informative in how we could support local, ecological wool and leather".

You must be over 18 to apply, have a demonstrable connection and interest in the High Weald, and have some prior experience or knowledge relevant to your proposed Fellowship idea.

To find out more about the criteria and application process, visit the grants section of the High Weald website – www.highweald.org

Notes to editors

1. Lots of photos are available. For further information or images, please contact Jo O’Driscoll, Communications Lead at High Weald National Landscape, on jo.o’driscoll@highweald.org

2. The High Weald National Landscape is an area of outstanding natural beauty with a medieval landscape of rolling hills, small irregular fields, abundant woods and hedges, scattered farmsteads and sunken lanes. It covers parts of four counties – East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent and Surrey, in the rural heart of South East England and is Britain’s fourth largest national landscape. It was designated in 1983 to conserve and enhance its natural beauty.

The High Weald National Landscape Partnership furthers understanding of the area’s special qualities and enable action to conserve and enhance them. The Partnership includes 15 local authorities, Defra and organisations representing the local community.

The High Weald is one of 46 National Landscapes which are home to some of the most spectacular and valued countryside in Britain. Information on all National Landscapes can be found at https://national-landscapes.org.uk/.