Did you know that Parliamentary constituencies are set to change? 

The proposals would remove Plumpton from the Lewes constituency and move us into a new East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency. The Parish Council opposes this move and our response is below.  The independent Boundary Commission for England (BCE) is drawing the map of constituencies in England and needs your help to shape their final recommendations, ensuring they take into consideration local knowledge and views. The consultation period ends on 2nd August . The Commission considers every piece of feedback that it receives, whether that is about where the constituency boundaries should be or the name of the constituency. It is easy to get involved – To view interactive maps showing the proposed changes, and to submit your feedback, go to www.bcereviews.org.uk.

Plumpton Parish Council response:-

Plumpton Parish Council is opposed to the proposed new constituency boundary.  The inclusion of Plumpton and neighbouring villages within an East Grinstead & Uckfield Constituency appears appears contrary to the stated objective to ……..”try to have regard to local ties, geographic factors, local government boundaries (as they were known at 1 December 2020), existing constituencies, and minimising disruption caused by proposed change.”   Our local ties are with Lewes and the South Downs National Park (SDNP), in both local government and rural identity, especially given the influence of the SDNP on the village (Plumpton is half within, half outside). This is particularly relevant when considering development planning where proximity to the SDNP is a key consideration.

Plumpton and neighbouring villages of Ditchling, Westmeston, East Chiltington and Chailey all have close ties with Lewes as this is the main centre for shopping, leisure, surgeries and services including the 6th form college. This area has very little involvement with East Grinstead and as small settlements to the very south of the newly proposed seat they would not get the same level of attention as East Grinstead.

We respectfully suggest that the “northern villages” area (the wards of Plumpton and East Chiltington, Ditchling, Chailey and Barcombe, Wivelsfield and Newick) remain in the Lewes constituency.

Update for Residents from Plumpton Parish Council on Additional housing targets for Lewes District Council (LDC)

Update 28th July 2021

Some pointers on how to complete the “Issues and Options” consultation on line are on the Do not Urbanise the Downs website here:-
https://www.donturbanisethedowns.com/public-consultation

Plumpton Parish Council will be providing guidance for residents and the Council’s view on the document in due course and will publish our response on this website.
Our primary concern with the current situation remains the risk of significant unplanned development between now and 2023 when the new plan arrives and why the current plan is not being given significant weight by planning officers.
There is a paper copy of the Issues and Options document for residents to view in the Village Hall.

Update 9th July 2021

Lewes District Council (LDC) is preparing a new Local Plan which will cover that part of the district outside of the South Downs National Park. They have published an ‘Issues & Options’ document for public consultation as the first stage in the Local Plan preparation process.

LDC are inviting comments on the key issues identified in the consultation document and the possible options put forward to address them. You can also suggest additional issues that you feel have been missed and any other options that you consider would be appropriate.

LDC are asking for comments on the Local Plan ‘Issues & Options’ document, and the associated Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report, over an 8 week period from 9th July 2021 to 5pm on 3rd September 2021. Both documents are available on the website at: 
Lewes District Local Plan – Issues and Options – Lewes and Eastbourne Planning Policy Consultations (lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk)

Annual Parish Meeting – Newsletter 2021

Due to CV-19 restrictions the Parish Council were unable again to hold their Annual Parish Meeting.  Therefore a newsletter has been put together to advise on what the council have been doing over the past year along with reports from local groups and organisations.

 Annual Parish Meeting – Newsletter 2021

Pavilion Refurbishment

We’ve just completed the Pavilion refurbishment, which has given us a substantial upgrade of the facilities.

The refurbishment was part-funded by a LEADER grant from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (£49k), and the remainder from our New Pavilion Fund (£28k) and the Parish Council (£7.5k).

With many thanks to Des Lambert, who helped us navigate the grant application process, and to parish councillor Emma Elford, who led renovation programme, got the grants, liaised with everyone involved.

The refurbishment has included:

• removal of the old kitchen to open up the space
• re-positioning of a new  kitchen and utility room into the old committee room
• recovering of the floor throughout
• reconfiguring of the changing rooms
• increased storage facilities
• substantial replacing of rotten timbers throughout the infrastructure
• replacement of multiple doors
• replacement of window glass
• part installation of new composite cladding and sofits
• substantial re-plastering work throughout
• roof repair.

Steve Bodsworth was the contractor. We owe him many thanks for doing a fantastic job to a very high standard and completing on time.

As with all building jobs, we found some unexpected problems along the way that Steve responded to quickly, which allowed us to keep on schedule.

Now the work is complete, it has highlighted other parts of the facility that are looking a bit tired. Plumpton Parish Council will be costing further work to maintain this valued facility within a long-term preventative maintenance programme.  We’ll provide further details in due course, later this year.