Previous | Contents | Next | Search

Note: These pages are still under development - launch date 23rd March.

7.5. KEY FINDINGS: Views on from surrounding Parishes

As part of the consultation process the views of the parishes surrounding Crowborough were sought. The following information highlights the responses from the following communities:

Wadhurst, Frant, Withyham, Buxted, Maresfield, Fletching, Danehill[16]

Services

• Tunbridge Wells or Uckfield are the preferred destination for most types of shopping;
• Crowborough is used by 5 Parishes as their preferred, or one of their preferred destinations for food shopping;
• Equal numbers of Parishes use Crowborough or Uckfield for swimming;
• Parishes use varied locations for keep fit and team sports – either the local towns of Uckfield, Crowborough, East Grinstead, or their own Parish;
• None of the Parishes looked to Crowborough for employment;
• Most public services are used in the local Parish. One Parish used the library in Crowborough, and one the Post Office;
• Healthcare is met in a variety of locations, usually not the local Parish. Crowborough is only used by up to two Parishes for the health service mentioned;
• Crowborough is not generally used for any private services such as banking or estate agents, except for Buxted Parish which used all these services from the town;
• Maresfield Parish noted that they use the town for restaurants and the golf club.

Housing

• Five Parishes ‘did not know’ whether there was sufficient housing in the town;
• One Parish suggested there was a need for more housing for young people, and Housing Association housing.

Work opportunities

• Two Parishes said that the town did not provide employment opportunities for their residents;
• Two Parishes said that they did not know if the town provided employment opportunities for their residents;
• Two Parishes thought that a small number (10-15%) of those working from their Parish had employment in Crowborough.

Valued facilities in the town and own Parish

This list of the facilities mentioned by Parishes shows that many aspects of the town are appreciated:

• Schools (two Parishes mentioned this)
• Shops (two Parishes mentioned this)
• Waitrose , Dentist, Leisure facilities, Transport, Church, Pubs, Garden centre, DIY stores, Opticians, Chiropodist, Library, Hairdressers,

Funeral directors, Stationers, Banks, Insurance, Golf club, Restaurants

Dry cleaners, Doctor, Citizens Advice Bureau, Free parking, Leisure centre, Post office

Facilities missing or could be improved

• Two Parishes said that the lack of a cinema was missed
• Each of the following were mentioned once:
  • Library
  • Hardware
  • Butcher and baker
  • Fabrics and haberdashery
  • Mature women’s and men’s clothing

Other links with Crowborough

• Three Parishes said that they had no other links to the town
• Each of the following were mentioned once:
• • ‘People visit our Parish from Crowborough to use Forests, pubs, cafes, friends etc’
  • Citizens Advice Bureau
  • Rugby club

Provision of education in the town

• Generally positive comments such as ‘good secondary education’, or ‘good’;
• One Parish mentioned good day-classes.

Community bus services from surrounding villages into town

• Each of the following were mentioned once:
• • Dial-a-Ride (Maresfield);
  • Easy Link (Withyham);
  • Train (Frant).
• Bus from Fairwarp to Crowborough once a week (Maresfield);

Access for disabled people

Most Parishes did not know, though one Parish commented on:

• uneven camber on pavement outside the chemist in Croft Road
• narrow pavements on North side of High Street and east side of Croft Road.

Congestion or danger problems

These are the comments from the Parishes:

• Main crossroads provide a traffic bottleneck
• Crowborough cross needs turn lane from High St to avoid build-up. Lights could then be phased to accommodate these lanes
• A26 – from 8-10am, and 4-6pm
• Safeway car park is too dangerous – cramped
• Waitrose car park now operating at capacity

Car parking

Parishes were satisfied with the parking, and most also mentioned that it is good that parking is free;

Buxted Parish mentioned that it is particularly important that the car park remains free so that it can be used by villages such as High Hurstwood where there are no shops or services.

Best things about Crowborough

The Parishes each commented that the best things were free parking, and Waitrose.

Parishes also mentioned one each of these:

• Accessible
• Excellent banking
• Good food shops
• Restaurants
• Friendly and small shops
• Easy parking
• Plenty of pedestrian crossings
• Green area around car park
• Flower displays
• Goldsmiths/leisure facilities
• Free computer courses

Worst things about Crowborough

Two Parishes commented on the lack of public transport to surrounding villages.

Also mentioned were:

• More expensive petrol than surrounding area
• Pubs
• Lack of community hall
• Lack of cinema
• Not full range of shops, especially compared to Tunbridge Wells

Improvements to encourage Parishes residents to use the town more

The main improvement needed mentioned by three Parishes was better public transport access.

• Other comments by single Parishes were:
  • better variety of shops;
  • evening entertainment;
  • better and larger Boots;
  • less expensive petrol;
  • do not want to encourage shopping in the town as want to shop locally!

Further comments

• ‘Some residents prefer Crowborough as it is not so busy as Tunbridge Wells and parking seems easier.’
• ‘Crowborough has nothing which Tunbridge Wells does not have (except Waitrose) and it is easier for Wadhurst residents to get to Tunbridge Wells by car or train.’
• ‘This Parish has very little contact with Crowborough.’
• ‘If Crowborough had adequate public transport links with surrounding villages we are sure more people would use its facilities and services.’
• ‘I see Crowborough as a pleasant, green country town where you can get vital supplies and services. It empties at five pm very often to clubs and pubs outside. I doubt if you can change its tempo.’

© The Crowborough Partnership