Author: Sarah Prall

As many of you who regularly visit these news pages, and are following our progress will know, the Parish Council held a public meeting last week to discuss a new funding opportunity for the Community Centre project.
You can view the full Parish Council Presentation by clicking on the image below.

For those who were unable to attend, here is a summary of the key information that was shared with parishioners:

There is a long history to the project to replace our village hall with a new community centre on the playing field. The Parish Council and HDCC has been working on this for over 14 years. During that time, we have overcome planning hurdles, carried out numerous surveys, and faced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lease negotiations.

We were pleased to achieve extant planning permission in June 2024. However, over the years, construction costs have significantly increased, and the availability of grant funding has decreased.

The latest estimates put the cost of the project at:

• £2.3 million + VAT for Phase 1 – a modern village hall with essential facilities, parking, and disabled access.
• £0.9 million + VAT for Phase 2 – including a sports bar and changing facilities.

Some of the larger grant schemes have ceased altogether, and those that remain tend to be smaller and more limited in scope. However, a new and significant opportunity has emerged through Wealden District Council, which is allocating £20 million in reserves (linked to local government restructuring) for community infrastructure projects, such as ours, that are ready to proceed.

The Parish Council met with Chris Bending from Wealden District Council, who confirmed that there is an opportunity to apply for up to £500,000, on the condition that the Parish can show an equivalent level of commitment—commonly referred to as having “skin in the game.”

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Intention to Use Public Funds

It is important to recognise that HDCC has consistently maintained that it would not seek funding from the Parish Council. A member of the public rightly noted that in the earlier stages of the project, the Community Centre Committee and its Trustees expressed no intention to pursue public borrowing.

However, the emergence of this substantial, one-off opportunity from Wealden District Council has required a reassessment of funding options. The Parish Council is now exploring how best to demonstrate the required £500,000 local commitment in order to unlock the Wealden funding.

One option under consideration is a Public Works Loan, which could be used to match the funding offer and help secure the long-term viability of the project. No decision has been made to borrow, and the Parish Council has been working on gathering information, expert advice, and financial assessments which it will make available on the village website.

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Next Steps: Community Decision

To demonstrate the Parish’s commitment, the PC are considering:

• Selling the current village hall site, which has a recent valuation of £250,000 (subject to a village referendum).
• Raising additional funds through a Public Works Loan, which could result in a modest council tax increase—estimated at 85p per week for a Band D household.

Given the importance of this issue, the Parish Council believes that the community must be fully involved in the decision-making process. This is why a public meeting was held—to clearly explain the context, options, and associated costs.

The presentation and all materials shared at the meeting will be published on the Village Website in the coming days.

Financial Prudence in the Current Climate

We completely understand the concern around borrowing during a period of economic uncertainty. That is why:

• The Parish Council is moving cautiously and responsibly.
• Financial advice is being taken and cost scenarios are being fully assessed.
• No application to the PWLB will be made without a clear and positive outcome from the public vote on September 9th.

Residents will be presented with a full breakdown of the proposal, including the impact on council tax, before being asked to vote.

Consideration of Alternatives

At the public meeting, the Parish Council made it clear that—following a lengthy process of public consultation and cost analysis—the best long-term option for the village is to build a new community facility at the playing field.

That said, it is important to acknowledge that alternative suggestions—such as extending or improving the current village hall—have been carefully considered.

A detailed review of the existing site highlighted several limitations:

• Limited on-site parking, making access difficult for users, especially those with limited mobility.
• Poor road access, with narrow approaches that cannot support increased traffic.
• No continuous pavement, creating safety risks for pedestrians—particularly children and disabled residents.

Because of these constraints, East Sussex Highways have previously declined to support redevelopment of the current site. In addition, major funders have advised that substantial investment would require:

• Safe, all-ability pedestrian access.
• Adequate off-road parking.
• Full compliance with accessibility regulations.

To achieve this at the current site, significant public investment would be needed to acquire additional land and upgrade infrastructure and the unadopted road, making the option financially and logistically unviable.

In contrast, the playing field site already offers:

• Sufficient space for a modern facility and the land is already owned by the PC
• Better vehicle and pedestrian access.
• Potential to meet regulatory and funder requirements.

For these reasons, the Parish Council concluded that the playing field location represents the most practical and fundable option for the future of the village.

Doing Nothing – A Risk We Must Consider

Of course, another option is to do nothing—to continue using and patching up the current buildings. However, these facilities are already ageing, expensive to maintain, and increasingly unsuitable for the needs of a vibrant and growing community.

By taking no action, we risk a future in which the current buildings fall further into disrepair, potentially requiring closure. That would leave Hadlow Down with no community infrastructure at all—no venue for events, classes, clubs, or social support.

We believe this risk is significant and must be weighed carefully against the opportunity now in front of us.

Have Your Say

We ask that you exercise your democratic right to vote on this important issue and ensure that your voice is heard.

HDCC is committed to respecting and listening to the will of fellow village residents. If you would like to find out more about the project, please explore the news articles, project history, supporting documents, and FAQs available here on our Website.

The trustees remain committed to meeting with any residents who would like further details or have specific questions.
To arrange a conversation or request a meeting, please contact Bob Lake at bob.lake@live.co.uk.

A village referendum/poll will be held on September 9th.
To vote, you must be registered on the electoral roll.
Voting will take place from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

We encourage every resident to participate and help shape the future of our village.

Hadlow Down is at a critical turning point.
Our current Village Hall and Sports Pavilion
—much-loved but aging—
are reaching the end of their life spans.

These buildings, the beating heart of local life, now struggle to meet the expectations and needs of our vibrant and diverse community. Their facilities are outdated, maintenance costs are rising, and crucially, accessibility—particularly for older residents—is severely limited. Parking is inadequate, and access routes are neither convenient nor inclusive at the current Village Hall.

This is not a matter of mere inconvenience; it is a barrier to community participation, wellbeing, and progress. If we are to truly serve the people of Hadlow Down, we must act decisively. We need a modern, multi-functional Community Centre, purpose-built at the Playing Field, where it can best support the entire village—from young families and professionals to elderly residents and local organisations. As outlined in our business plan, modern rural communities across the UK are embracing innovative, inclusive facilities designed for the future. Hadlow Down must not be left behind.

A Beacon for Community Cohesion

A new Community Centre is not just about replacing buildings—it’s about reimagining what it means to live well in Hadlow Down. This centre will serve as the cornerstone of village life, fostering belonging, inclusion, and engagement for all.

• A Hub for All Generations: The new space will support social groups, children’s activities, support services, and lifelong learning—all under one accessible roof. It will also champion health and sport for all ages, with indoor and outdoor areas designed for everything from gentle fitness and wellbeing sessions to team sports and active play for children and teens.
• Safer, More Accessible Infrastructure: With properly designed entrances, level surfaces, and expanded parking, older residents and those with mobility challenges will finally be able to attend events and gatherings with ease and dignity.
• A Stronger Local Economy: With flexible, modern facilities, we can support local businesses, encourage increased participation in events, and attract external event bookings—bringing fresh energy and funding to the community.

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What the New Multi-Functional Facility Will Offer
At the heart of this vision is a purpose-built facility that is responsive to real needs, both now and into the future. Here’s what Hadlow Down’s new Community Centre will provide:

🏡 Community Green Space and Outdoor Activities
A thoughtfully designed environment will create a vital outdoor extension of the Centre:

• An area for picnics, and café users positioned outside the centre commanding excellent views of the playing field and children’s play area.
• Outdoor fitness classes, yoga sessions, and sports facilities.
• A new children’s playground relocated away from the roadside and pollution, offering a safer, cleaner, and more visible space for children to play. It will be within clear sight of the main hall and café area, allowing parents to relax and supervise comfortably.
• A welcoming environment for mindfulness, reflection, and informal socialising.
• Secure bicycle parking to encourage visitors to cycle to the Centre, promoting sustainable transport and providing peace of mind with safe, accessible bike storage facilities.
• The playing field will continue to warmly welcome dog walkers, who already make regular use of the space. With the addition of new facilities and enhanced surroundings, we hope it will become an even more appealing and inclusive destination for the whole community—including their four-legged companions.

☕ Coffee Hub and Mobile Workspace
Supporting modern lifestyles, the Centre will feature:

• A relaxed, welcoming café with indoor and outdoor seating.
• High-speed internet and quiet zones for mobile working, studying, or casual meetings.
• Regular events such as networking breakfasts, co-working days, and pop-up clinics.

🎭 Cultural, Educational and Creative Programmes
A vibrant programme of activities will bring the new Centre to life:

• A permanent base for Hadlow Down’s Drama and Variety Club, offering improved facilities for rehearsals, set-building, costume storage, and performances. With a modern stage area, lighting, and AV equipment, the new Centre will elevate the quality and ambition of our productions.
• The Centre will also welcome productions and performances from neighbouring villages and amateur theatre groups, creating a thriving cultural exchange and giving residents access to more local entertainment and creative collaboration.
• Educational workshops, talks, and arts classes for all ages—from painting and photography to crafts and creative writing.
• Flexible gallery and exhibition space to showcase work by local artists, historians, and schools, helping to foster pride in local talent and heritage.

🎉 Flexible Event and Community Spaces
The Centre’s modular indoor areas will:

• Adapt for everything from small group meetings to large-scale celebrations.
• Host weddings, fitness classes, markets, and charity fundraisers.
• Offer modern AV and accessibility support for inclusive programming. In a new Community Centre, high-quality AV infrastructure makes the space much more versatile, supporting everything from fitness classes with music to professional presentations, film nights, hybrid meetings, and more.
• The new building will continue to host much-loved regular activities such as dance classes and dog training sessions, with improved space, lighting, and acoustics to enhance the experience for both participants and instructors. These well-attended sessions are a testament to the active spirit of our village and will now benefit from better facilities and greater accessibility.

Health, Wellbeing and Social Impact
A facility of this kind does more than just host events—it actively improves lives:

• Mental Health: Spaces for social interaction reduce loneliness and boost wellbeing, especially for those living alone or new to the area.
• Physical Health: Safe access, indoor fitness options, and outdoor trails will encourage regular activity.
• Social Inclusion: With accessible design and a wide range of activities, no one is left behind—regardless of age, background, or mobility.
• Sporting Access and Community Fitness: The addition of modern changing rooms in the new pavilion will bring our sporting facilities back in line with standards set by sporting bodies. This will not only rejuvenate grassroots sport in Hadlow Down but also attract junior football teams and youth leagues, encouraging active lifestyles from an early age and cementing the playing field’s role as a vibrant community sports venue.

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The Vision: A Future-Ready Hadlow Down
By redeveloping the Sport Pavilion and combining the Village Hall at the Playing Field, into a thriving community hub, we unlock the full potential of our village. This is not just about today—it’s about investing in tomorrow. The project reflects the most successful examples across the UK, such as those featured in our business plan, where rural communities have revitalised their social fabric through thoughtful, inclusive design.

The Centre will embody the values we hold dear:

• Sustainability: Built with long-term environmental impact in mind.
• Inclusion: Accessible for all ages and abilities.
• Creativity and Culture: A canvas for local talent and shared experiences.
• Health and Sport: With indoor activity spaces, outdoor playing fields and new changing facilities, the Centre will promote active lifestyles across all age groups—from children and teens to older adults.

And perhaps most excitingly, the new Community Centre will flow directly into the beautiful green space of the Playing Field—a rare and wonderful combination. Imagine the possibilities:

• Parents relaxing with a coffee or drink from the café or bar while watching their children play safely in the fresh air just outside.
• Events that naturally extend outdoors—summer fairs, open-air yoga, theatre and open- air cinema under the sky.
• A seamless indoor-outdoor environment where health, leisure, and community connection thrive together.

This fusion of high-quality facilities and a stunning natural setting makes Hadlow Down’s vision not only unique but truly transformative.

A Call to Action
This project represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make Hadlow Down stronger, healthier, and more united. It is not simply about bricks and mortar—it’s about creating a place where everyone feels they belong.
Let’s build something extraordinary. Let’s build a Community Centre that reflects who we are—and who we want to be.

Share your support on our FB and Instagram Pages and help us bring this vision to life.

Having secured Planning Permission we are currently working hard to secure the funding to move forward. Thank you to all our residents who have so generously supported us to get to this stage.

The Hadlow Down Parish Council invites all residents to attend the Annual Parish Assembly on Tuesday, 15th April at 7:00 PM. This is a key event where the priorities for our village will be reviewed, and it is a fantastic opportunity to get behind our project and show your support for Hadlow Down Community Centre (HDCC)!

We have been fortunate to receive great support from our local MP and Wealden District Council for the new Community Centre project. However, your feedback as parishioners is invaluable—as stakeholders and users of the facilities, your voices help shape how the centre evolves to best serve our community. We want to hear your thoughts and ideas, so please come along and share your views.

This year’s Assembly will focus on reviewing the Parish Community Plan—a crucial document that shapes the future of our village. What direction should Hadlow Down take? Key topics up for discussion include:

• Where should future housing developments go?
• How many new homes should we cater for?
• What village assets do you value most?
• Should the church be maintained or closed?

There are eight themes under review, and you can familiarize yourself with the current document ahead of the meeting by visiting this link. This is your meeting and your opportunity to help shape the future of our village and wider Parish.

At the end of the discussion, all attendees will be given eight votes (one per theme) to help determine the community’s priorities.

Additionally, we are pleased to welcome PCSO Sue Choppin from Sussex Police, who will provide valuable insights on community safety.

The Assembly will conclude with the Parish Council’s annual report, including an overview of the annual accounts, followed by a chance to mingle over light refreshments.

Your voice matters—don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference in Hadlow Down. Join us on 15th April and help shape the future of our village!

The Hadlow Down Spring Market on Saturday was a resounding success, bringing together the warmth and generosity of our village community. With a fantastic total of £860 raised, the event provided a significant boost to the Hadlow Down Community Centre fundraising efforts. Even more good news, a generous resident has fund matched this, doubling the amount raised to £1,720!

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The atmosphere throughout the day was absolutely lovely. The café was as popular as ever, offering an array of beautiful home-baked cakes and snacks that were eagerly enjoyed by visitors. Our talented local bakers once again outdid themselves, creating a delicious spread that was both a feast for the eyes and the taste buds.

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The stalls were a wonderful showcase of local creativity and craftsmanship. From preserves and local produce to jewelry, pressed flowers, original artwork, cards, and stationery, there was something for everyone. Shoppers also browsed through a delightful selection of handcrafted bags, beautiful clothing, and fine linens, making the market a treasure trove of unique finds.

The hall itself was bright and airy, with all the doors opened wide to welcome in the fresh spring air. Adding to the charm, posies of daffodils and camellias—freshly picked from the garden of our brilliant Jane Hissey—graced the windowsills, creating a cheerful and elegant display.

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We are incredibly grateful to everyone who came along, bought raffle tickets, and took the time to chat with us and their neighbours, old and new. Your support and presence made the event feel even more special.

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A huge thank you goes to Janet Tourell for her superb organisation of the event. We are also deeply appreciative of our wonderful local volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes—baking, dressing tables, serving at the café, and making sure everything ran smoothly. The event simply wouldn’t have been possible without your dedication and hard work.

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Looking to the Future: Help Us Build a New Community Centre

While the Spring Market was a fantastic success, our work is far from done. We are appealing to local businesses to join us in our mission to build a new Community Centre for Hadlow Down. Could you fund-match our local fundraising efforts? By partnering with us, you’ll not only be supporting an important village project but also gaining the opportunity to showcase your business and be part of creating a lasting legacy for Hadlow Down.

If you would like to support our cause or find out more about partnership opportunities, please get in touch with Sarah (sarahprall@btinternet.com). Together, we can continue to build a brighter future for our wonderful village.

Thank you once again for your generosity and community spirit—it truly makes all the difference. 💛

HDCC is set to transform our vital community spaces here in Hadlow Down with the introduction of a state-of-the-art Community Centre. Designed by MJB Architecture, this forthcoming facility promises to be a beacon of multi-functional design, catering to a diverse array of community needs.

A Thoughtfully Crafted Design

The new Community Centre is envisioned as a harmonious blend of modern functionality and aesthetic appeal. Nestled at the northern end of the village’s playing fields, adjacent to School Lane, the centre’s strategic location ensures both accessibility and minimal environmental impact. The design thoughtfully integrates the building into the natural landscape and leveraging the site’s natural topography to reduce visual prominence.

Key features of the design include:

• Unified Structure: The centre consolidates various facilities into a single building envelope, optimizing space and resources.
• Multi-Level Layout: Utilizing the site’s gentle incline, the design incorporates a two-storey section at the western end, seamlessly connecting to the playing fields and enhancing user experience.
• Versatile Spaces: The facility boasts a spacious main hall, adaptable meeting rooms, modern changing facilities, and a replacement sports pavilion, ensuring it meets the varied demands of the community.
• Dual-Purpose Design: The building combines the village hall space with a new sports pavilion, creating a hub for recreational, cultural, and educational activities. This multifunctional approach ensures opportunities for young and old alike, strengthening community engagement and well-being.

Community-Centric Planning

The journey to this design has been profoundly collaborative. Since 2011, a series of public consultations have been held, allowing residents to voice their aspirations and concerns. This inclusive approach ensured that the final design resonates with the community’s vision and needs.

Bob Lake, Chair of the Hadlow Down Community Centre Committee (HDCCC), emphasized the importance of this engagement, noting that the project has evolved through continuous dialogue with local residents and stakeholders.

Green Light for Development

The project has achieved a significant milestone through achieving of extant planning consent. This approval paves the way for the next phase: bringing the vision to life.

A Collective Call to Action

With an estimated build cost of £3 million, the realization of the Community Centre is a formidable yet achievable goal. Whilst currently working with our local authority, Wealden District Council, the Parish Council and other governmental bodies, HDCC is actively seeking additional support from local residents, businesses, and external funding sources to turn this dream into reality.

“This centre is more than just a building; it’s a testament to our village’s unity and forward-thinking spirit.” “We invite everyone to join us in this endeavor, ensuring that Hadlow Down continues to thrive for generations to come.”

Bob Lake, HDCC Chair

“I am delighted to support the plans for a new community centre in Hadlow Down. This facility will serve as a vital hub for local residents, fostering community spirit and providing much-needed amenities.

Rt. Hon. Nusrat Ghani, MP

How You Can Help

The success of this project hinges on collective effort. Whether through financial contributions, volunteering, or spreading the word, every bit of support brings the Community Centre closer to fruition. To get involved or learn more, email bob.lake@live.co.uk or visit the official project facebook page or find us on instagram

Together, let’s build a space that reflects the heart and soul of Hadlow Down.

#hadlowdowncommunitycentre #HDCC #lovehadlowdown #community spirit