Horam hub gets go ahead

A new kiosk selling refreshments will be built on the Cuckoo Trail.

Permission for the Horam Hub was granted by Wealden District Council’s councillors at a planning committee meeting recently and relates to a site at the disused railway platform of the former Horam Railway Station, which now forms part of the Cuckoo Trail.

The new kiosk is to be built as part of several improvement projects outlined in the Cuckoo Trail Masterplan, a plan recently developed in consultation with communities, local partners and stakeholders and evidenced through user research. 

The application was for the erection of a brick-built ‘kiosk building’ with zinc roof over, incorporating an overhanging canopy, public toilets and a commercial space for light refreshments to be sold.

The design has taken cues from traditional railway buildings, such as those which might have been found at the location historically.

Councillor Kelvin Williams, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) and lead councillor for Public Health and Asset Management said, “It is an exciting project which I am pleased has been able to move forward. The Cuckoo Trail is one of the council’s biggest and most used assets and we are working to make it a place that residents and visitors make use of.

“The trail is used by a range of people including commuters, dog walkers, cyclists and runners and with the introduction of the new kiosk it will add a social element to encourage people along the Cuckoo Trail. The design has been carefully thought out to keep with the Victorian character which will transport visitors back in time with its charming architecture and ambiance.”

The works to the Horam Hub area will commence in the next few weeks. The council will keep the trail open during the works although there will be limited times when the trail will be closed and a diversion will be put in place.

The kiosk and other improvement projects along the Cuckoo Trail are funded through the Councils allocation of the UK Governments Shared Prosperity Funding.   The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is part of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda which gives local authorities the opportunity to improve pride of place and increase life chances by investing in communities, supporting local businesses and people. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus.