A planning application for Wealden Community Sports Hub in Lower Dicker, Hailsham, has been submitted following significant community and stakeholder involvement in the design and development.
The project will see major investment into a state-of the-art leisure and sports facility, creating a variety of new outdoor sport and leisure facilities for local communities. The 20-acre site will provide a range of sport and leisure provision and will help to address the need for further amenities within the local area.
The facility will offer new opportunities in several sports and deliver health and wellbeing opportunities to a wide range of residents of all ages and abilities.
The Sports Hub includes a range of energy efficiency measures to reduce operational costs and contribute to the net-zero aspirations for the council. These include a solar PV system, EV car chargers and battery storage for efficient use of the energy generated. The buildings will use air source heat pumps for heating the buildings and the water used on site. There will be storage areas for bicycles to promote sustainable travel alongside the pedestrian/cycle entrance to the south of the site that will link the Sports Hub with the Cuckoo Trail.
The planning application proposes two full size 3G floodlit football pitches, four floodlit multi-use games areas for tennis / netball, two Padel tennis courts along with a walking and cycle route, BMX Pump track, skate park, children’s play area, outdoor tennis tables, outdoor gym equipment and a community café.
Councillor Kelvin Williams, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat), and lead councillor for Public Health and Asset Management, said, “This is a very important project which will give residents in the Hailsham area and wider afield in Wealden the opportunity to have more accessibility to play sport. The plans for the first community sports hub of its type within the district, outline an array of sports particularly football which can be played at the new Community Sports Hub.
“It also provides a range of community facilities for our residents to enjoy. The proposal covers a wide range of different activities that all ages and fitness levels can enjoy. The new site will also show case the best approaches to sustainability and biodiversity in its development and future running.
“Whilst we are awaiting confirmation of a national funding bid, in a year the English Lionesses have had such a successful run in the World Cup, I am looking forward to seeing this once in a lifetime opportunity being delivered for the existing and future residents of Wealden.”
