Wealden District Council is pressing ahead with its plans for a 1.8 acre site in Farningham Road, and a planning application is expected to be submitted this week.

Last year councillors agreed to retain the land as opposed to selling it off and instead deliver units with a total floor space of around 12,500 square feet (see article published last year).

At a meeting of the Council’s Cabinet this week (Wednesday 15th), councillors welcomed the progress of the project, which could see general industrial, storage and distribution, light industrial, office and potentially retail units.

The Council anticipate estimate the development of the units could result in the creation of up to 100 jobs with dozens more being employed during the development period.

Councillor Philip Lunn, Wealden District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Commercial, Economic Development and Leisure, said:

I am pleased this project has progressed so well. We firmly believe our plans for the Farningham Road site will go some way in helping alleviate the shortage of smaller units in the Crowborough area.

Not only will the project provide a valuable opportunity to contribute to the local economy and create employment opportunities, strategically the development will enable the council to retain a direct financial interest which could generate an annual income stream and full payback of the investment in the years to come.

As we move forward to submitting a planning application, the council will be looking to deliver some of the most environmentally friendly business premises within Wealden and that is particularly good news.

Cllr P Lunn

The current project programme indicates a construction start date in late 2023 and completion due by summer 2024.

Click to see the Cabinet Report Farningham Road Update and plans & illustrations of the proposed development.