Welcome to this week's newsletter.
I hope you had an enjoyable Easter and were able to make the most of the recent good weather. My campaigning on heating oil has continued this week in Parliament where I was able to take part in a debate on the issue.
Whilst Parliament was on recess, I spent time across our constituency - meeting residents, supporting local groups, and visiting a range of local businesses and events.
I visited both Powdermills and Wylands Farm, which showcase the strength and diversity of our local tourism offer - from high-quality hospitality and investment to accessible outdoor experiences for families and visitors alike.
I was also pleased to welcome representatives from Parkinson’s UK to Parliament and to support a number of community events locally, including the Battle Marble Race and a Veterans Drop-In providing advice and support services.
I have continued to speak out on national issues - including raising concerns about housing targets and infrastructure in our area and speaking on the national media about the need to protect workers who act to prevent crime.
Finally, please see the end of this newsletter for up-to-date information on local road closures, as provided by third parties.
This week's newsletter:
- Visit to Crafted at Powdermills
- Housing Targets - My letter to the Minister
- Battle Marble Race
- Good Morning Britain Interview - Good Samaritans Proposal
- Visit to Wylands Farm and Angling Centre
- Veterans Drop In Event
- Littlewood Fencing
- Visit to Seaside Campers
- Westminster Hall Debate - Heating Oil
- BBC Radio Sussex - Residents facing demands to pay thousands of pounds
- Local Road Closures
Visit to Crafted at Powdermills
I visited Crafted at Powdermills during English Tourism Week, following its impressive multi million pound transformation. Set in stunning surroundings, the refreshed venue now offers beautifully designed rooms, a new onsite pub, and unique experiences like wild swimming.
Recently named one of The Times Top 50 Hotels, it’s set to attract a new type of visitor to the area, including corporate clients looking for high quality retreat and meeting spaces. Importantly, it’s also a fantastic addition for locals - a welcoming place to meet friends, enjoy the pub, or make use of the facilities now on offer.
This long established site has been given a remarkable new lease of life, bringing fresh energy, investment, jobs and opportunities to our local tourism economy.
Housing Targets - Letter to the Minister
I hear from many residents who are concerned about the growing pressure for new housing in our towns and villages. While most people agree that more homes are needed, there is also a clear understanding that development must be supported by the right infrastructure - Good schools, Accessible NHS services, Reliable transport, and Strong utilities.
These are essential if new homes are to be sustainable for the long term.
Our area faces unique challenges - around 80–85% falls within protected landscape which limits where development can realistically take place.
The Labour Government has set our district councils impossible housing targets. residents expect and deserve a planning system and housing targets which are grounded in evidence. I’ve written to the Housing Minister to raise these concerns and to ask for discussion on how we can develop a more credible, evidence-led approach on local housing needs which reflect the unique challenges of our area. You can read more about this in my column in the Bexhill Observer and you can also read my letter in full here.
Battle Marble Race
Thanks to Battle Events, Battle Chamber of Commerce, Battle Churches and Battle Muffins for helping organise! Battle’s teams compete fiercely to be the best at marbles, and the best dressed!
Great event for the town!
Good Morning Britain - Good Samaritan Proposals
I spoke about our Good Samaritan proposals to protect employees from being dismissed if they act reasonably to stop crime after reports a Waitrose employee was sacked for tackling a shoplifter. It follows more than 140,000 people signing my petition to back sacked bus driver Mark Hehir who tackled a criminal that robbed one of his passengers. If you would like to sign my petition, you can do so by clicking here.
Visit to Wylands Farm and Angling Centre
I visited Wylands Farm during English Tourism Week - a tranquil spot known for its amazing fishing lakes. It was great to explore the grounds and learn more about everything on offer for visitors, whether you’re a seasoned angler, a family looking for a peaceful day outdoors, or someone wanting a relaxing camping getaway at one of their onsite campsites.
I was pleased to go back tith my family for a spot of fishing. A big thank you to the team for showing us all how to fish - such a brilliant experience. It’s a great day out for the whole family, and I’d definitely recommend paying a visit!
Veterans Drop-In Event
I attended the Veterans Drop-In Event, hosted by Bexhill and Rural Rother Primary Care Network at the Town Square Social Club in Bexhill. There was many different groups there ready to advise on a range of services including NHS, mental health, energy costs and cost of living.
Littlewood Fencing
During recess, I visited Littlewood Group, a long-established local business celebrating their 30-year anniversary this year. This business whose HQ is based in Battle, started off as a family fencing firm led by Jon Hobden and his brothers, Paul and Nick. Whilst traditional fencing is still a core part of their business, the company now grown to over 220 employees and works on major infrastructure projects across the country and abroad with customers including HS2, National Highways, MOD.
Visit to Seaside Campers
Over the Easter break I visited Seaside Campers based at Wylands Farm on Powdermill Lane. This small but rapidly growing local company set up by Ryan and Dan specialises in campervan conversions and vehicle parts. Their new showroom is packed with specialist furniture and equipment which turns a regular van into a cleverly designed and compact home for on the move. It was great to meet them to find out more about their relatively young business and to hear how they continue to expand and grow from their site Battle, creating jobs and opportunities supporting the local economy.
BBC Radio Sussex - Residents facing demands to pay thousands
I spoke on BBC Sussex as some residents in Bexhill and Battle are facing demands to pay thousands of pounds for retrospective consent to change their own home. Some homeowners on the Percy Bilton estate in Bexhill are being asked to pay huge sums of money, with little explanation of how these fees are set or what they actually reflect.
I’ve challenged the company involved to justify these charges and explain the level of profit being made. I’ll be working with other MPs on this issue, because I know this isn’t just happening in Bexhill and Battle - and I want to make sure residents get the protections they deserve.
🎧 Have a listen to what I had to say below and let me know if you’ve been affected
Westminster Hall Debate - Heating Oil
Hundreds of households in Bexhill and Battle are paying more to heat their homes.
In our constituency, 8.7% of households rely on oil central heating, compared with 4.9% nationally and just 3.2% across the rest of the South East.
The support the Government has now announced is welcome, but it's too little, too late. On average, it works out at only around £35 per household, which is nowhere near enough when some people have seen their heating oil costs jump by hundreds of pounds.
I raised this in Parliament because rural families, pensioners and businesses should not be treated as an afterthought. My constituents want fair prices and a Government prepared to stand up for them.
Local Road Closures (please note this information is provided by third parties):
Bexhill
- A259 / A2036 Roundabout, including spur — 13 April, 19:00 to 15 May, 07:00
- Herbrand Walk — 9 January, 09:00 to 30 April, 23:59
- The Ridge West — 7 April, 20:00 to 18 April, 23:59
- Stonebeach Rise — 7 April, 20:00 to 18 April, 23:59
Pevensey
- A27 — 20 April, 21:00 to 25 April, 07:00
- A259 — 27 April, 22:00 to 29 April, 07:00
Battle
- Marley Lane — 20 April, 08:00 to 24 April, 18:00
Ninfield
- Marlpits Lane — 27 January, 12:35 to 24 April, 12:35
Mountfield
- Swailes Green — 20 April to 25 April
Netherfield
- Darwell Hill — 20 April, 19:00 to 22 April, 05:00
Hurst Green
- Burgh Hill — 27 April to 3 May
Dallington
- Padgham Lane — 27 April, 00:00 to 28 April, 01:00
Hooe
- Whydown Road — 20 April, 08:00 to 22 April, 17:00
Brede
- Brede Hill — 27 April to 9 May
- Starvecrow Lane — 21 April, 08:00 to 23 April, 17:00
Westfield
- Moat Lane — 27 April to 8 May
- Mill Lane — 20 April to 24 April
Ticehurst
- Dunsters Mill Road — 28 January to 31 October
- Burnt Lodge Lane — 13 April, 02:00 to 15 April, 17:00
Crowhurst
- Swainham Lane — 22 April, 08:00 to 24 April, 17:00