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”.
upThe Crowborough Action Plan has four main aims. These are:-
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.
upThe 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:-
Overall aim: To make Crowborough a vibrant and progressive town in which to work, shop, visit, do business and receive effective business support by :
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 |
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 |
Overall aim: To increase the sense of community spirit and increase involvement and interest in community activities, services and events
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. |
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
Overall aim: To improve public transport provision and to encourage a reduction in the sue of cars within the town
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 |
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. |
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 |
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
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 |
Ref. | Action | Year |
---|---|---|
En.1 |
Pride in Crowborough Programme:
|
Year 1 onwards |
En.2 |
The retention and enhancement of open spaces within Crowborough:
|
Year 1 onwards |
En.3 |
Improvements to the Town Gateways:
|
Year 1 onwards |