Community Spaces Grants Programme helps to fund improvements at local rural green spaces within the district

Seven projects around the district have received a share of £15,850.76 and will be spent in a variety of ways.

Heathfield and Waldron Parish Council received funding to install two seats, one at the play area at Waldron Recreation Ground, and one in Hardy Roberts Rec Ground. The seats are made from sustainable materials.

Herstmonceux Parish Council secured funding to provide seating and a cycle rack at Posey Green as well as cycle racks and a shelter for buggies to encourage active travel rather than car use at Herstmonceux Recreation Ground.

At Horam Village Hall, two cycle racks have been installed, and four benches provided along the Horam Get Active Pathway which are made from 100% recycled materials.

Further funding has contributed towards Ninfield Village Society’s woodchipper to help improve the paths in Church Wood to make it more user-friendly and accessible.

Rotherfield St Martin has created a friendship garden predominately for older people to enjoy nature and help with the planting. The produce grown will support Rotherfield St Martin’s weekly luncheon club and ‘Feed it Back’ table.

Uckfield Town Council will improve several footpaths to increase accessibility within Uckfield nature reserves and Withyham Parish Council will purchase an accessible basket swing for Teasley Mead Recreation Ground, which currently has no play equipment.

Councillor Paul Coleshill, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) and lead councillor for Climate Change and Economy said, “The funding which has been awarded will make a great difference to the district and residents that live in it and use the facilities. These include improvements to make routes more accessible new seating and benches and gardens created to give residents and visitors a better place to live and enjoy. The funding has been a huge help to improve local green spaces and for those communities that will enjoy and benefit from them.”

The funding programme was made available through the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund. The England-wide initiative is a new £110million, two-year capital fund from the Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs, complementary to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. It has enabled councils to support projects in rural areas of the district.

Further details about the second round of the Wealden Community Infrastructure and Spaces scheme which is now open can be found at https://www.wealden.gov.uk/information-for-businesses/economic-development-and-growth/rural-england-prosperity-fund/wealden-community-infrastructure-and-spaces-fund/