Wealden Green Party
For Strong, Connected Communities
General Election 2024 - meet our MP candidates
Boundary changes have created two new constituencies - East Grinstead & Uckfield and Sussex Weald - and we have two great MP candidates:
Cllr Christina Coleman for East Grinstead & Uckfield and Austin Henderson for Sussex Weald.
You can find out about the Green Party manifesto here.
East Grinstead & Uckfield
Councillor Christina Coleman has a master’s degree in Environment and Policy and was an independent advisor to the government on sustainable housing policy. An environmental advocate, Christina gives talks in schools and colleges, and campaigns against indiscriminate building on greenfield sites. Find out more about Christina at her campaign website - and for updates and social media links click here.
“I’m standing because East Grinstead & Uckfield needs an effective, principled and caring MP. My top priorities are protecting our countryside and rivers, improving the NHS and local services, supporting local farmers and tackling the cost-of-living crisis.”
Sussex Weald
Austin Henderson is a British Army Veteran and a senior construction manager on affordable and shared ownership housing projects, with qualifications in environmental sustainability. He knows how to get things done and deliver change in the public and private sectors. Find out more about Austin here.
"Sussex Weald needs a strong and principled MP, free to speak up for our constituency. I will defend the NHS, protect rivers and green spaces, and tackle the cost-of-living crisis head on! We need Green voices to push the next government to do better."
Photo: Poppy Berry
Cllr Rachel Millward - new leader of Wealden District Council
Congratulations to Rachel Millward, Green Party Councillor for Hartfield ward, who has become the first Green Party leader of Wealden District Council and the 12th Green council leader across England and Wales.
"The Alliance for Wealden has had a hugely successful first year with a new Council strategy and draft Local Plan created at impressive pace. Whilst leader, I will ensure we continue to deliver for residents – opening new medical centres, play and sport facilities; a new climate change strategy; and a first-time cultural strategy. We will also progress the draft Local Plan, and continually seek ways to help our residents with the housing and cost-of-living crises they face. We will keep finding new ways to engage and listen to our communities and co-create our projects with them.”
“It is a huge privilege to serve Wealden and lead as we strive to become greener, fairer and kinder for this and future generations. We have a wonderful team of councillors and council staff, working hard together to make this a place where people and nature thrive together.”
Wealden Greens - going from strength to strength
Welcome to the Wealden Green Party, which in a few short years has grown to become a significant political force in Wealden and East Sussex. We are keenly focused on local issues and the needs of residents who live in this beautiful part of the UK.
In Wealden District Council, Greens became the second largest party in the May 2023 local elections. Greens now have 11 councillors and are now jointly in administration with the Liberal Democrats. WDC are responsible for Planning, Waste Collection, Tourism, Business Support among other duties.
In East Sussex County Council, Greens now have five councillors after winning the Mayfield and Heathfield by-election on 27th July. ESCC are responsible for Highways (roads and potholes), Waste Disposal, Social Care, Schools and Youth Services - among other .
Our aim: to make Wealden a fairer and greener place to live.
Green councillors on Wealden District Council, from the left: Greg Collins, Rachel Millward, Sarah Glynn-Ives, Graham Shaw, Christina Coleman, Jessika Hulbert, Alison Wilson, Ian Tysh, Cornelie Usborne, Patricia Patterson Vanegas, Martyn Everitt. (For the wards they represent see below).
Green councillors on East Sussex County Council, from the left: Georgia Taylor (Forest Row and Groombridge), Johnny Denis (Ringmer and Lewes Bridge), Wendy Maples (Lewes), and Julia Hilton (Hastings - Old Hastings and Tressell) with Anne Cross (2nd from the right, Mayfield and Heathfield).
Latest News & Stories
Have your say – draft Local Plan goes out for consultation
“The council’s commitment to a new Local Plan is strong. We want a Local Plan to help ensure that development can be managed in accordance with strong innovative policies around climate change, the built and natural environment, biodiversity net gain, our local economy, housing standards and more besides. “This is a Draft Local Plan and […]
Read More… from Have your say – draft Local Plan goes out for consultation
What is a Local Plan – and why does it matter?
Concerned about new housing developments in Wealden? Here’s a Q&A explainer about what a Local Plan is, how it relates to centrally-imposed targets, and how you can have your say. What is a Local Plan? It is the responsibility of the District Council to permit or refuse proposals for development within the area. A Local […]
Read More… from What is a Local Plan – and why does it matter?
Ending the developers’ free-for-all – draft local plan unveiled
“A new Local Plan will enable us to raise the environmental standards of new buildings and ensure more 2 and 3 bedroom homes for local residents. It will also protect more land than with the current developers’ free-for-all. However, we still have to work within the tight constraints of the national government’s planning system, which […]
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New strategy sets the direction for Wealden District Council
Wealden District Council has ratified a new strategic direction – one that will prioritise well-being and the environment in all council policies over the next four years. The high-level strategy, which was previously known as the corporate plan, was drafted by the Alliance for Wealden, a working partnership between members of the Liberal Democrat Party […]
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Uckfield Pool saved from closure by Lib Dem-Green Alliance
When the new Liberal Democrat-Green Alliance for Wealden took over the running of the District Council in May, they inherited a number of looming crises caused by the previous longstanding Conservative administration. One of these was the imminent closure of Uckfield’s Leisure Centre Pool, an incredibly valuable – and valued – resource for town residents […]
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About Anne Cross – candidate for Heathfield & Mayfield division
Dear Resident and Neighbour, My name is Anne Cross. I’m standing in the upcoming election to represent Heathfield & Mayfield Division at East Sussex County Council. I ‘m writing to ask for your support on Thursday 27th July. Here are some reasons why you may consider voting for me: I will be a councillor who […]
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Celebrating the inspirational Caroline Lucas
Wealden Green Party want to celebrate the inspirational Caroline Lucas and express our support for her decision to focus her efforts on action on the accelerating climate and nature emergency. Caroline Lucas’ impact on politics in this country cannot be overstated: she truly is a force of nature and has been an extraordinary servant of […]
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New District Council Administration Alliance for Wealden
A joint press release from Wealden Liberal Democrats & Wealden Green Party Today, Green and Liberal Democrat members on Wealden District Council are pleased to announce they have reached an agreement to form the Alliance for Wealden, a cross-party co-operative group that will run the council for the next four years. The recent local elections […]
Read More… from New District Council Administration Alliance for Wealden
About Thom Harrison – candidate for South Downs ward
Dear Resident, I’m Tom Harrison and I will be standing as the district councillor for the South Downs ward in the upcoming election on the 4th of May. I’ve lived in East Sussex – at the foot of the downs all my life, and have a strong commitment to standing up for the environment I […]
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About Nick Mawdsley – candidate for Stone Cross ward
Dear Resident, I’ve lived in Wealden since 2009 having worked overseas for much of the previous 20 years. I trained as an ecologist at King’s College (University of London), followed by a PhD at Imperial College and the Natural History Museum looking at biodiversity in the rainforests of Borneo. Since then, I have worked in […]
Read More… from About Nick Mawdsley – candidate for Stone Cross ward
Meet our Green councillors
Wealden District Council
Cllr Rachel Millward
HARTFIELD WARD
Leader of Council
Portfolio: Housing & Benefits
CLLR Greg Collins
HORAM & PUNNETTS TOWN WARD
Portfolio: Finance & HR
Deputy leader Green group
✉️ Contact Greg
EAST SUSSEX COUNTY Council
Other Green Councillors:
Wendy Maples (Lewes) - Lewes Green Party
Johnny Denis (Ringmer & Lewes Bridge) - Lewes Green Party
Julia Hilton ( Old Hastings & Tressell) - Hastings Green Party
Our Priorities For Wealden
Protecting Wealden’s natural environment
Wealden’s forests, rivers, coast and farmland are its crown jewels and we must act as good custodians to look after it for now and for future generations.
Sustainable transport and safer roads
Develop an integrated approach to road planning, public transport and active travel that encourages people to exercise and reduces the impact of cars and other road traffic.
Joined-up planning and housing policies
Need not greed: Wealden faces a crisis of affordability, not a shortage of housing, we can protect Wealden’s countryside and communities while providing equitable housing.
Building a sustainable ‘wellbeing economy'
We can’t carry on with “business as usual”. It's time to stop focusing on unsustainable endless growth, and instead prioritise wellbeing, jobs, and reducing carbon emissions & resource use.
Help us do more – join, donate, volunteer
Join the Green Party – if you are not already a member, now’s the time!
Become a local volunteer – why not join our growing band of volunteers and walk the talk with like-minded people.
Donate Now
Support your local Wealden Green Party directly with a donation today via the link below.
Your donations go directly towards funds for local election campaigning which can make all the difference.
If you'd like to find out more, offer support, or ask for our help we'd love to know.
Email: secretary@wealden.greenparty.org.uk
Media enquiries: 07719 556 660
Facebook: facebook.com/WealdenGreenParty
Twitter: @wealdengp
Donate Now
Support your local Wealden Green Party directly with a donation today via the link below.
Your donations go directly towards funds for local election campaigning which can make all the difference.