Buxted Parish Council

Buxted Parish Council came into being in 1894 when the present system of Parish Councils was instituted to give rural communities a voice. Buxted Parish covers some 7,000 acres with an electorate of about 2,500 out of a population of 3,200. It encompasses the villages of Buxted, High Hurstwood and Five Ash Down.

The parish is divided into two wards – Buxted/Five Ash Down (10 councillors) and High Hurstwood (5 councillors). Councils are elected for a term of 4 years. Council meetings are held on the second Tuesday in every month (except August and January), alternating between High Hurstwood Village Hall and Five Ash Down Village Hall, at 19.00. Meetings agendas are displayed one week in advance on the Parish notice boards in Buxted (on the Ionides Trust site), High Hurstwood (outside the village hall) and in Five Ash Down (outside the Village Hall) and on the website. The agenda includes a list of any planning applications received from Wealden District Council for consultation. All meetings of the Council and its committees are open to the public, who are welcome to ask questions or raise issues with the Council before the meetings formally begin.

An early requirement was to provide allotments, which we do. Councils can also support arts and crafts; contribute to maintenance of churchyards; protect commons, provide buildings for public meetings, functions and entertainment, provide footway lighting (we don’t), provide and maintain public open spaces, and comment on planning applications.

We also take an active interest in highways matters, policy and our environment (e.g. trees and hedgerows). More and more we have to comment on government policies for local government and voice our electors’ concerns.

Parish assets include two recreation grounds (Buxted and High Hurstwood), two allotment areas in Buxted and High Hurstwood, children’s play areas in Buxted and High Hurstwood, and two bus shelters. The budget is set annually over the period October to December. Planned expenditure less income forms the ‘Parish Precept’ which is levied as part of annual Council Tax. Apart from meeting general running expenses of the council – specifically employing our Parish Clerk – the council makes grants to local organisations and contributes to local projects e.g. Buxted Traffic calming.

The Parish Council recognises the burden of Council Tax but is also conscious of local needs for improvements in the Parish that increasingly are not being covered by either County or District as they seek to keep within national government budgets. Before increasing Precept to cover costs of local improvements such as the recent traffic calming, the Parish Council ensures that such improvements are what our electorate want and are prepared to pay for.

Councillors sit on various committees (e.g. Finance & Planning) and outside bodies (e.g. Ionides Trust, village hall committees). Each keeps an eye on different parts of the Parish, e.g. for planning purposes and trees.

Our Parish Clerks, Beccy Macklen & Claudine Feltham (01435 515219) clerk@buxted-pc.gov.uk, who act as the Council’s ‘proper officers’ on the Council’s behalf and under its direction.

Latest Parish News

Wealden wine trail joins Sussex Winelands as tourism expands to 16 vineyards

25

June 2026

Wealden wine trail joins Sussex Winelands as tourism expands to 16 vineyards

The Explore Wealden Wine Trail has expanded to 16 partner vineyards and joined the Sussex Winelands partnership, marking a new chapter for Sussex wine tourism.

The milestone is being celebrated with a new film campaign showcasing Wealden's distinctive vineyards and visitor experiences, timed to coincide with English Wine Week, and strengthening Sussex’s position as one of England’s leading wine tourism destinations.

Produced by filmmaker Chris Wigner and presented by wine expert Tom Surgey, the series shines a spotlight on people, landscapes and experiences behind the trail’s vineyards. The films highlight the diversity of experiences available across Wealden and encourages visitors to explore the region throughout the year.

Launched in 2024 with 12 vineyards, Sussex's first official wine tourism trail now connects visitors with 16 vineyards offering tastings, tours, picnics, cellar-door experiences and seasonal events. The trail's integration into Sussex Winelands creates stronger links with vineyard destinations across the county, helping visitors discover the breadth and quality of Sussex wine tourism.

The expansion of the trail also marks the final stage of Wealden District Council's investment through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which has supported a dedicated content campaign to promote the participating vineyards.

The films are being released through the Wealden Wine Trail Instagram channel as part of a wider digital campaign promoting vineyard experiences and encouraging visitors to explore the trail throughout the year.

The trail’s integration into the Sussex Winelands partnership marks an important new chapter for the regional brand, building on the successful launch of the Rother Wine Triangle pilot and strengthening Sussex’s collective wine tourism offer.

Wealden's central location within the county, combined with its distinctive terroir of iron-rich marl, sandstone and Wealden clay, makes it a key part of that story.

Together with the chalk-rich vineyards of the South Downs and the acclaimed producers of the Rother Valley, Wealden highlights the rich diversity of landscapes, wine styles and visitor experiences that shape modern Sussex wine, all supported by the county’s Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status.

As further vineyard clusters from across Sussex join the initiative, Sussex Winelands has the potential to become one of England's premier wine tourism destinations. The partnership provides an overarching brand for Sussex wine tourism while celebrating the distinctive identities that sit within it. By showcasing the county's different vineyard landscapes, terroirs and wine tourism experiences, Sussex Winelands aims to encourage longer stays, attract new audiences and strengthen Sussex's reputation as a world-class wine destination.

Councillor James Partridge, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) lead councillor for Governance, Waste & Local Economy and deputy leader of the council, said, "Wealden is home to a remarkable concentration of vineyards and some of the most distinctive wine tourism experiences in the country. Since launching Sussex's first official wine tourism trail in 2024, we have worked closely with local producers to create a visitor offer that celebrates the quality, diversity and ambition of our wine sector.

"Expanding the trail to 16 vineyards and bringing those vineyards into the Sussex Winelands partnership is an important next step. It will help raise the profile of our local businesses, attract new visitors to the district and support the continued growth of our rural economy."

Notes to Editors

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit: UK Shared Prosperity Fund - GOV.UK

For information about the Wealden Wine Trail as part of the Sussex Winelands partnership, visit: https://sussexwinelands.com/wealden-wine-trail Follow the Wealden Wine Trail on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/wealdenwinetrail/ or via the Explore Wealden website Explore Wealden Wine Trail - Wealden

Watch Tom Surgey discuss the Wealden Wine Trail. Wealden Wine Trail | Sussex Winelands | Videos & Movies on Vimeo

09

June 2026

Please see the latest news attached which includes an update on the planning system and how it is changing, and local funding to support events, clubs and societies.