Economy

Employment and Economic Study – Eastbourne and Wealden 2022

Wealden District Council and Eastbourne Borough Council worked jointly to commission Iceni Projects Ltd to undertake an Employment and Economic Study (2022) covering both Wealden District and Eastbourne Borough. For both Wealden and Eastbourne, the study identifies the Functional Economic Market Area (FEMA) and provides forecasts for economic need (Use Class B2, B8 and formerly Use Class B1A (now Use Class E)) for the period up to 2039. The study also provides a summary of existing employment areas (in terms of supply) and economic development briefings for both authorities. This study can be downloaded below:

• Employment and Economic Study for Eastbourne and Wealden – 2022 (including Appendix 1 and 2)
• Appendix 3 – Economic Development Briefing: Wealden
• Appendix 4 – Economic Development Briefing: Eastbourne
• Appendix 5 – Site Assessments: Wealden
• Appendix 6 – Site Assessments: Eastbourne

Wealden Town Centre Study 2022

Wealden District Council commissioned Nexus Planning and Aspinall Verdi to undertake a Town Centre Study that has been published in 2022. This report provides a baseline assessment for town centre development in Wealden District (particularly retail and leisure uses) including trends, a retail demand and needs assessment and health checks for each of the district’s main town/village centres including Hailsham, Uckfield, Crowborough, Heathfield, Polegate, Wadhurst and Forest Row. The report also provides options and recommendations for the local authority in terms of a town centre hierarchy, town centre boundaries, a town centre strategy and recommendations for local impact thresholds for the emerging Local Plan. This study (and appendices) can be downloaded below:

• Wealden Town Centre Study – July 2022
• Wealden Town Centre Study Appendices – July 2022

Furthermore, there have been additional documents published by the Council that relate to the economy, including the rural economy and tourism within Wealden District. These studies can be downloaded below:

• Attracting Large Scale Employers to Wealden – 2016
• Wealden Industry Cluster Study Final Report
• Research and Analysis to inform WDC Destination Management Plan
• Wealden Viticulture Feasibility Study March 2018 

The Visitor Accommodation Study 2023

Wealden District Council commissioned Hotel Solutions and Tourism South East to undertake a visitor accommodation study for Wealden District. The study’s main purpose is to provide an assessment of the status of visitor accommodation in Wealden District (including an audit of existing visitor accommodation) and the potential for visitor accommodation development for the Wealden Local Plan period. This study has been used to help inform and shape planning policies for tourism development (specifically, visitor accommodation development) in the new Local Plan. This study (and appendices) can be downloaded below:

• Wealden Visitor Accommodation Study – (September 2023)
• Wealden Visitor Accommodation Study – Technical Appendices – (September 2023)