Wealden Green Party is delighted to announce Ian Tysh as our candidate for the Maresfield ward District Council by-election on 22nd September 2022.
A retired solicitor who has studied planning law, Ian would be a strong, independent voice representing residents. Like all Green councillors, Ian would be free in his vote, and not forced to follow the party line.
The by-election was called after the incumbent, Conservative councillor Peter Roundell, abruptly resigned – reportedly over internal party disagreements on policy towards housing developments in the area. The ward encompasses Maresfield, Fairwarp and Nutley and neighbouring areas.
For some years, Ian has been advising Green councillors on planning applications under consideration by Wealden District Council – giving councillors the ammunition they need to contest unsuitable planning applications. He was one of the key speakers at a special Green Party event on housing developments and planning held in Hartfield in July.
Greens have had some recent successes in contesting planning decisions – in the last month two applications for new developments were paused thanks to a motion proposed by Green councillor Rachel Millward, which was adopted as a cross-party motion and passed unanimously.
Among other things, the motion requires Southern Water to provide specific details about its network when it is consulted on planning applications – including details of which treatment works will be managing the sewage from the new housing. The Wealden Green Party supports developments that meet local housing needs located in the right places – rather than luxury developments designed to maximise developer profits.
About Ian Tysh
Ian has been a key member of Wealden Green Party for some years. Ian lives in Nutley with his wife Pam. They have two daughters, one of whom lives close by and they look forward to their regular days caring for their much-loved grandson Arlo.
Ian enjoys cooking, reading and gardening and is a keen sports fan. Ian is passionate, hard working and enjoys getting things done within our community.
Ian says: “As a husband, father and grandfather I know the importance of family and of continuity. My legal background and the research, advice and support I give on an ongoing basis to our current Green Councillors in Wealden means I understand the planning process well.”
“I have a proven track record of making things happen, and I am passionate about making a difference. For example, I played a key part in persuading WDC to oppose Gatwick's expansion plans.”
Ian’s top 3 priorities
1. Wealden council must help those in need without delay
The cost of living crisis is already having a real impact on all our lives. There are people in our area who will have to make very hard choices – such as between eating and staying warm. Ian regards this as totally unacceptable in 2022. Wealden District Council can actively help with people who are struggling, as Lewes District Council have done through a £750,000 hardship fund.
Ian says, “Wealden need to follow Lewes and provide some real help for those in most urgent need. Making this happen is my number one priority. I won’t rest till it is done. That is my pledge to you."
2. No building without infrastructure & protecting our AONB
Ian’s local knowledge means he really knows the needs of our area and his legal background means he really understands the ins and outs of the planning process.
Ian says, “The current building projects in Wealden are ignoring local housing needs in the race to make more and more money. Any building must be sustainable, affordable and in the right place and the correct infrastructure must be in situ before any building is considered.”
Ian is passionate about protecting Ashdown Forest too. This incredibly rich Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is under threat from property developers and the County Council's ending of funding. Ian is determined to uphold its status as an AONB and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
3. No more sewage in our rivers and streams
Ian and the Wealden Greens are determined to clean up the river Medway and to stop the water companies pumping revolting raw sewage into our rivers. Ian was a key member of the team which developed Green Cllr Millward’s recent unanimously passed proposal to control the release of sewage by Southern Water.
Ian says, “The damage caused by unnecessary pollution to the plants and wildlife that live in or around the Medway is enormous and will have consequences for years in the future. The spilling of raw sewage must stop now. Our rivers must be clean and safe for our children to play in. I will continue to campaign tirelessly until we achieve good water status.”
Other issues Ian is keen to tackle:
- Cars speeding and road safety on the A22 through Nutley: We need action NOW
- We must stop Maresfield and Uckfield being effectively joined together by overdevelopment – nobody wants 'Muckfield’
- The lack of pavements and made-up footways on our ‘A’ roads is a disgrace: For example, residents at Coniston Court care home would be able to access the village pub and green in Nutley using mobility aids if there was a full footway alongside the A22
- Maresfield, Nutley and Fairwarp need better bus services to get to GPs, dentists and shops in Uckfield and Forest Row.
- We need safe parking facilities to tackle problems with dropping off children by car at Bonners Primary School in Maresfield
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