Mayor of Polegate, Councillor Stephen Shing, together with District Councillor Oi Lin Shing, was delighted to visit the newly opened Wealden Community Sports Hub at Lower Dicker.
As a member of the Wealden District Council Planning Committee, Councillor Shing raised concerns during the planning process about the lack of public transport serving the site, which could have limited access for many residents. He was pleased to see that bus routes 28 and 500 now link Eastbourne, Willingdon, Polegate and Hailsham, as well as Forest Row, Wych Cross and Uckfield, making the Hub far more accessible than originally anticipated.
The £16.7 million Hub is an impressive community asset, featuring floodlit football pitches, tennis and padel courts, a skate park, children’s play area, running and cycling trails, a community café, and modern changing facilities. It represents a significant investment in sport, health and wellbeing for people across Wealden.
During the visit, several residents raised concerns about the material used on sections of the walking trail, commenting that it is not well suited to wheelchair users, mobility scooter users, parents with pushchairs or cyclists. Councillor Shing hopes these concerns will be addressed as the site continues to develop, ensuring it is accessible and inclusive for everyone.
Overall, it is wonderful to see this outstanding new facility open and already providing high-quality sporting and recreational opportunities for communities across Wealden.
