Hailsham Residents Encouraged to Take Part in Housing Needs Survey

Hailsham Town Council is encouraging residents to take part in an important Housing Needs Survey that will help shape the future of housing and development in the town.

Wealden District Council is currently preparing a new Local Plan, which will guide growth and development across the district over the next 15 years in response to population, housing and economic change. A draft version of the Local Plan is expected to be published for consultation in Spring 2026 and, as with earlier versions, it is anticipated that Hailsham will be identified as a major growth location.

Alongside this, Hailsham Town Council is updating its Neighbourhood Plan, with consultation currently underway. The Neighbourhood Plan recognises that new housing will continue to come forward in Hailsham, but seeks to ensure that development responds to local housing needs, protects the character of the town, and is supported by appropriate infrastructure.

To strengthen its response to the emerging Local Plan and inform policies in the Neighbourhood Plan, the Town Council has prepared a Housing Needs Survey for Hailsham and is inviting residents to share their views.

>>CLICK HERE TO TAKE PART IN THE SURVEY [deadline Friday 30 January]

Commenting on the survey, Cllr Mary Laxton, Chair of the Neighbourhood Planning Committee, said: “It is vital that we understand the real housing needs of people who live in Hailsham. This survey gives residents the opportunity to tell us what type of homes are needed now and in the future, so that we can make a strong, evidence-based case on their behalf when responding to the Local Plan and shaping our Neighbourhood Plan.”

The survey will help identify the actual need for new homes in Hailsham, based on residents’ future housing requirements. This includes understanding the size and type of homes that may be needed, such as for those wishing to downsize, households needing more space, or younger people hoping to set up a home of their own. The survey also allows the needs of different members of a household to be recorded.

Residents are strongly encouraged to respond, as the more surveys completed, the stronger the evidence base will be when the Town Council makes representations on behalf of the community. All responses will be anonymised, and personal information will remain completely confidential.

Residents who require a paper copy of the survey can contact Hailsham Town Council on 01323 841702 or by email at karen.giddings@hailsham-tc.gov.uk.