Community hub and health centre plan approved

Wealden District Council granted planning permission on a majority verdict

Revised plans for a new community hub and health centre in Mayfield have been approved by Wealden District Council.

The proposed site, in place of the Memorial Hall, is set to include a multi-purpose hall, office space, health consultation rooms and parking.

Andrew Cornell, managing partner of Ashdown Forest Medical Centre and Woodhill Surgery, said the current premises were "not fit for purpose" and that without a new facility the practice might not be able to "meet NHS expectations going forward".

In the meeting on Thursday, several objectors raised issues with the scheme's design, its position within the High Weald National Landscape and its impact on the local highway network.

Mayfield resident Guy Bridge said: "Substantial opposition from parishioners does exist."

He said there were "design and building flaws" as well as "ecological, environmental and major highway concerns".

The council received a total of 222 comments in relation to the application with 162 of those in support of the plans, according to meeting papers.

Mr Cornell told councillors there was a pressing need for new medical facilities in the area.

"When we took over the practice in 2013 we had 2,200 registered patients. Today that number has grown to nearly 3,800," he said, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Previous proposals to demolish and redevelop the Memorial Hall had been approved in January 2023, but proved to be too expensive as the project started.