8. The Crowborough Action Plan

up

1. The Vision Statement

The Vision for Crowborough and its surroundings areas that was agreed during the consultation process is

“For the people of Crowborough and its surrounding area to see this town as vibrant and accessible and the natural first choice for shopping, business and leisure”.

up

2. The Action Plan Aims

The Crowborough Action Plan has four main aims. These are:-

  1. To make Crowborough a vibrant and progressive town in which to work, shop, visit, do business and receive effective business support
  2. To increase the sense of community spirit and increase involvement and interest in community activities, services and events
  3. To improve and promote public transport provision and to encourage a reduction in the use of cars within the town
  4. To make significant improvements in the design and appearance of the town and to increase the sense of pride in the built and natural environment.
up

3. The Formation Projects

There are two formation projects within the Action Plan. These projects form part of the essential organisation and structure that needs to be in place before other projects can be implemented.

The Formation Projects are:-

F.1.  To broaden the membership of the Crowborough Partnership to reflect the wide range of interests within the Crowborough Action Plan and to establish a Steering Group to oversee the implementation of the Action Plan.

F.2  The employment of a Crowborough Co-ordinator to work with the Crowborough Partnership to develop and deliver revitalisation projects and programmes and to be an advocate for the town and its surrounding area.

up

4. The Action Plan Structure

The Crowborough Action Plan is divided into the 4 healthcheck themes of the Economy, Social and Community, Transport and Accessibility and Environment. Each theme is divided into three areas:-

  1. The aims and objectives of that theme.
  2. The Policy Statements that the Crowborough Action Plan supports within the theme area. These are policies that the Action Plan has a view on and wants to influence and support. The Crowborough Partnership will not be delivering these actions themselves but wishes to influence those that do have that responsibility.
  3. The Projects of the Action Plan under each theme. This report has more detailed project plans in Appendix 3. Each project is being developed by the Crowborough Partnership for implementation in the next three years. Some of these projects will require funding if they are to be achieved
up

5. The Economy

5.1. Economy Aims and Objectives

Overall aim: To make Crowborough a vibrant and progressive town in which to work, shop, visit, do business and receive effective business support by :

5.2. Economy Policy Statements
Ref. Detail Responsibility

5.2.1

Support and promote the increased use of Broadband, websites and e-mails by and between local businesses and residents

Broadband East Sussex

5.2.2

Support for local purchasing and promotions of local products

The Crowborough Partnership Business Group

5.2.3

To support the development of small business units to allow for movement and growth of businesses within the town with particular focus on established home-based businesses

Wealden District Council / East Sussex AIF

5.3. Economic Projects

Ref.

Action Year

E.1

The Development of the Crowborough Area Business Support network (CABSn) with capability to reach many more businesses in Crowborough and its hinterland .

Year 1

onwards

E.2

Skills Development Programme for local businesses.

To work with partners in the delivery of a range of accessible, affordable vocational, apprenticeship and skills development courses that enhance individual skills and performance of local businesses in Crowborough and the surrounding area.

Year 1

onwards

E.3

Promotion and Development of the Wealden Skills Centre

To ensure that businesses and individuals in Crowborough and the surrounding villages are made aware of available courses and can make best use of the Wealden Skills Centre

Year 1

onwards

E.4

Crowborough as a business centre for the area

To promote Crowborough as a place for all SMEs (small and medium enterprises) especially within the town centre in order to attract and retain an increased variety of independent retailers but overlooking neither the wide range of other business sectors elsewhere in the locality nor homebased businesses.

Year 1

onwards

E.5

Crowborough Tourism Initiative

To promote tourism by the publication of a tourist map, having an improved Tourist Information Centre and the appointment of a Tourist Development Officer

Year 1 onwards

up

6. Social and Community

6.1.Social and Community Aims and Objectives

Overall aim: To increase the sense of community spirit and increase involvement and interest in community activities, services and events

6.2. Social and Community Policy Statements
Ref. Detail Responsibility

6.2.1

To support whenever possible increased diversity of businesses in the town centre to meet the needs of local residents and workers

Wealden DC

6.2.2

To encourage increased interest and commitment to community provision from local businesses in Crowborough

Businesses

6.2.3

To lobby Wealden District Council for increased provision of key worker and affordable housing.

Wealden DC

6.2.4

To lobby for increased infrastructure provision with Wealden DC planning department

Wealden DC

6.2.5

To lobby for the immediate retention and long term funding for current youth facilities and services operated by Crowborough for Young People Ltd.

 

6.3. Social and Community Projects
Ref. Action Year

S.1

To work with the Crowborough Facilities Working Group to develop a multi functional community centre.

Year 1 onwards

S.2

To improve the coordination of the activities of the community and voluntary sector organisations in the Crowborough area.

Year 1

S.3

To provide improved information on what services and facilities are available for the older members of the community.

Year 1

S.4

To identify the issues and actions required as the first phase of a programme to reduce anti social behaviour in the area.

Year 1

S.5

Development of sporting complexes that make Crowborough a centre of excellence for a variety of sports

Year 1

S.6

Working with Crowborough for Young People Ltd and the County Youth Service to retain the existing youth facilities and services in the town.

Year 1 onwards

S.7

Publicity campaign of what is already available in Crowborough for people’s shopping needs – A Christmas activity booklet as per Uckfield and the range of employers that already exist

Year 2 -3

S.8

To develop a meeting place for 14 – 16 year old young people in Crowborough

Year 2 - 3

up

7. Transport and Accessibility

7.1 Transport and Accessibility Aims and Objectives

Overall aim: To improve public transport provision and to encourage a reduction in the sue of cars within the town

7.2 Transport and Accessibility Policy Statements
Ref. Action Responsibility

7.2.1

To support the retention of free car parks in Crowborough

Wealden DC

7.2.2

To support the introduction of a late evening train service from London

Southern

7.2.3

To support initiatives that will eliminate illegal and poor parking throughout the town

Wealden DC

7.2.4

To support the reopening of the Uckfield to Lewes rail link and the rail link from Burchelen Junction to Tunbridge Wells

Southern

7.3. Transport and Accessibility Projects
Ref. Action Year

T.1

Improvements to existing bus and rail services

  • Provision of a bus service at 15-minute intervals within Crowborough and connecting Crowborough with Eridge Station and Tunbridge Wells. The provision of a regular connecting bus with Eastbourne buses at Rotherfield. To include re-routing of the bus services after further consultation.
  • Provision of an Ashdown Forester Tourist Bus. The provision of a summer Sunday circular bus to link Crowborough and Eridge with the Ashdown Forest.
  • Improvements to the Wealden Easylink for those unable to use conventional buses
  • Improve interchange facilities at Crowborough and Eridge station between bus and rail services

Provision of a bus service at 15-minute intervals within Crowborough and connecting Crowborough with Eridge Station and Tunbridge Wells. The provision of a regular connecting bus with Eastbourne buses at Rotherfield. To include re-routing of the bus services after further consultation.

Year 1 onwards

T.2

Improved availability and marketing of public transport information including the introduction of new technologies to promote services (GPS, website development, electronic timetables and bus stops)

Year 1

T.3

The identification of safe routes to school and to work with the schools to pilot a walking bus scheme

Year 1 - 2

T.4

Pedestrian Environment Improvements

The implementation of identified proposals in the ‘Paving the Way’ Report

Year 1 onwards

T.5

The improvement of cycling and pedestrian provision and facilities in the town and into the surrounding countryside. To include the identification and surveying of cycle routes in and around the town.

Year 2 - 3

T.6

The publication of a footpaths map – The Crowborough Trail

Year 2 - 3

T.7

Ensure that there is good public transport services to the new Pembury Hospital when it is constructed

Year 3 onwards

T.8

To explore the develop of community transport provision within and around Crowborough

Year 3

up

8. Environment

8.1 Environment Aims and Objectives

Overall Aim:

To make significant improvements in the design and appearance of the town and to increase the sense of pride in the built and natural environment

8.2 Environment Policy Statements
Ref. Action Responsibility

8.2.1

To support Wealden District Council in developing supplementary planning documents covering key focal points within the town – The Cross, Junction of Croft Road / Broadway, Fernbank / High Street, Croft Road car park / toilet block

Wealden DC

8.2.2

To work with Wealden District Council to improve the control of advertisements in the local area that are inappropriate or over size

Wealden DC

8.2.3

To work with the Local Authorities to explore the potentials for pedestrianisation within the town centre

East Sussex County Council

8.2.4

To provide public toilets as part of the redevelopments in the town and to investigate where else these may be needed in the town

Crowborough Town Council

8.3 Environment Projects
Ref. Action Year

En.1

Pride in Crowborough Programme:

  • To promote the traditional rural environment and wooded setting of Crowborough.
  • To lead on a Pride in Crowborough Campaign that involves residents, businesses and organisations in improving the appearance and overall tidiness of the town and which encourages all to take an interest in the appearance and distinctiveness of Crowborough and its surrounding areas.
  • To write a design brief and bring potential partners together to agree a strategy for improved pedestrian provision within the town and to investigate pedestrianisation of the High Street.
  • To agree with partners a strategy within Crowborough where the joint public realm approach can be adopted.
  • To develop an overall strategy and design brief for pedestrian signage and street furniture that can be agreed with the County Council, Town Council and potential providers.
  • To agree a brief for the design, style and colour for lighting of the streets and public areas in the town centre.
  • To lead on the improvement and enhancement of key sites within the town centre by identifying those areas and the specific improvements required.
  • To produce a shop front booklet that identifies key guidelines for improvements and maintenance
  • To produce an agreed listing of significant and valued buildings and groups of buildings in the town.

Year 1 onwards

En.2

The retention and enhancement of open spaces within Crowborough:

  • To take a lead in promoting the maintenance of the traditional rural setting in Chapel Green
  • To support Wealden District Council in the preparation and implementation of a management plan for Bluebell Wood
  • To encourage the management of the Country Park, to conserve and enhance its unique natural habitat and which supports its status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Year 1 onwards

En.3

Improvements to the Town Gateways:

  • Crowborough Railway Station and bridge. To retain the Victorian station building and create a welcoming first impression of Crowborough.
  • Millbrook Industrial Estate and Farningham Road Business Park: To improve the overall appearance and design of the entrances to the estate from B2100
  • Town Approaches: To improve the town approaches and ensure that hedges and tree cover is retained

Year 1 onwards

up
Previous | Contents | Next | Search

© The Crowborough Partnership