We have detailed some key highlights from the Cabinet meeting, held on Monday 12th May 2025.
Community-Led Housing programme
Cabinet agreed a two-year, £50,000 agreement with Sussex Community Housing Hub (SCHH) to ensure community housing projects can continue in the district.
With the current agreement expiring at the end of September, Cabinet were asked to approve the new deal to enable SCHH to provide services to help bring forward schemes with community-led housing groups and housing developments in rural areas.
Members heard that during the previous service level agreement the Hub had successfully worked with Ickelsham Parish Community Land Trust and Hastoe Housing Association to deliver the first Community Land Trust-owned housing scheme in East Sussex at Orchard Close, Ickelsham.
A total of 15 affordable homes were delivered under the previous SLA and the up to 29 could be delivered under a new two-year agreement.
Cllr Ruairi McCourt, portfolio holder for housing, said: “The council has supported the Sussex Community Housing Hub for many years and recognises the important part that community led housing can play in tackling the housing crisis. Through our continued support of the Hub we are working towards further developments on sites the Council owns at Cemetery Lodge, Bexhill and Land at Fairview, Guestling together with other sites that are in private ownership in the district.”
Former Egerton Park Outdoor Bowls Club Letting
Cabinet members welcomed recommendations that will see a former bowls club transformed into a hub offering support to neurodivergent children and their families.
There was unanimous agreement that the lease for the vacant outdoor bowls club ground and club house in Egerton Park be granted to the applicant following a thorough consideration.
Members were told that, whilst the offer from the successful applicant was below that of the commercial applicants, it would provide a very important service for children with special educational needs.
Cllr Hazel Timpe, portfolio holder for neighbourhood services, said: “This is a positive outcome and delivers a highly important service for children with special educational needs. The fact that the rental income will be less than a commercial operator would pay is more than offset by the community benefit that will be received.”
Crowhurst Neighbourhood Plan Review
A neighbourhood plan for Crowhurst will become part of the council’s statutory development plan after unanimous agreement by Cabinet.
The formal adoption of the Crowhurst Neighbourhood Plan means planning applications within Crowhurst Parish will be determined against the Plan, alongside relevant Local Plan policies, and National Planning Policy Framework.
Following approval, the Plan was adopted with immediate effect.
Published: 19th May 2025
