Knights Farm West Employment Park

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Wealden District Council acquired the Knights Farm West site in 2020. Located on the edge of Hailsham with frontage onto the A22, the site extends to approximately 40 acres and forms part of a strategically important employment corridor linking Eastbourne, Hailsham, Uckfield and London.

In October 2021 Cabinet agreed to progress plans for the site to support economic development, create employment opportunities and generate long-term income for the Council. The vision for Knights Farm West has always been to create a development that delivers benefits for residents, businesses and local services.

Research has consistently identified strong demand for industrial and employment space across the South East and along the A22 corridor. Similar local developments, including Swallow Business Park and Chaucer Business Park, have experienced strong occupancy levels, demonstrating the continuing need for high-quality business premises within Wealden.

The wider site is expected to be developed in phases over the coming years and remains an important opportunity to support employment growth, attract investment and retain growing businesses within the district.


Current Project

A major milestone has now been reached with the approval of plans for a new waste vehicle operations depot and solar farm at Knights Farm West.

Planning permission was granted following consideration by Wealden District Council's Planning Committee on 23 July 2026, with the decision formally issued on 24 July 2026 under application reference WD/2025/2402/MAJ.


The approved development includes:

  • A waste vehicle storage and operations depot
  • Facilities for an expanded waste collection fleet
  • A vehicle workshop and maintenance facilities
  • Administrative offices
  • Staff welfare and crew accommodation
  • A solar farm to provide renewable electricity for depot operations
  • A new roundabout access from the A267
  • Landscaping, parking, servicing and associated infrastructure

The new depot is needed because the Council's existing Amberstone depot has reached full capacity and has no room for future expansion. The facility will provide the space and infrastructure needed to support the district's growing population and future service requirements, including food waste collections.


Sustainability and environmental benefits

Sustainability has been a key consideration throughout the design of the scheme.

The approved development includes a solar farm designed to generate renewable electricity for the waste depot, helping to reduce operational carbon emissions and support the Council's ambitions for more sustainable service delivery. The energy generated will be used to power the depot and its day-to-day activities.

The wider project has also been designed to include landscaping and biodiversity measures alongside operational improvements, helping ensure the site delivers both service and environmental benefits.


What happens next?

With planning permission now secured, the project will move into the next phase of delivery and detailed implementation planning.

The new depot will provide a modern operational base for waste and recycling services while creating infrastructure capable of meeting future service demands. The development represents a significant investment in both public services and sustainable infrastructure for Wealden.

Further information about planning application WD/2025/2402/MAJ can be viewed on the Council's Planning Portal.

Wealden District Council acquired the Knights Farm West site in 2020. Located on the edge of Hailsham with frontage onto the A22, the site extends to approximately 40 acres and forms part of a strategically important employment corridor linking Eastbourne, Hailsham, Uckfield and London.

In October 2021 Cabinet agreed to progress plans for the site to support economic development, create employment opportunities and generate long-term income for the Council. The vision for Knights Farm West has always been to create a development that delivers benefits for residents, businesses and local services.

Research has consistently identified strong demand for industrial and employment space across the South East and along the A22 corridor. Similar local developments, including Swallow Business Park and Chaucer Business Park, have experienced strong occupancy levels, demonstrating the continuing need for high-quality business premises within Wealden.

The wider site is expected to be developed in phases over the coming years and remains an important opportunity to support employment growth, attract investment and retain growing businesses within the district.


Current Project

A major milestone has now been reached with the approval of plans for a new waste vehicle operations depot and solar farm at Knights Farm West.

Planning permission was granted following consideration by Wealden District Council's Planning Committee on 23 July 2026, with the decision formally issued on 24 July 2026 under application reference WD/2025/2402/MAJ.


The approved development includes:

  • A waste vehicle storage and operations depot
  • Facilities for an expanded waste collection fleet
  • A vehicle workshop and maintenance facilities
  • Administrative offices
  • Staff welfare and crew accommodation
  • A solar farm to provide renewable electricity for depot operations
  • A new roundabout access from the A267
  • Landscaping, parking, servicing and associated infrastructure

The new depot is needed because the Council's existing Amberstone depot has reached full capacity and has no room for future expansion. The facility will provide the space and infrastructure needed to support the district's growing population and future service requirements, including food waste collections.


Sustainability and environmental benefits

Sustainability has been a key consideration throughout the design of the scheme.

The approved development includes a solar farm designed to generate renewable electricity for the waste depot, helping to reduce operational carbon emissions and support the Council's ambitions for more sustainable service delivery. The energy generated will be used to power the depot and its day-to-day activities.

The wider project has also been designed to include landscaping and biodiversity measures alongside operational improvements, helping ensure the site delivers both service and environmental benefits.


What happens next?

With planning permission now secured, the project will move into the next phase of delivery and detailed implementation planning.

The new depot will provide a modern operational base for waste and recycling services while creating infrastructure capable of meeting future service demands. The development represents a significant investment in both public services and sustainable infrastructure for Wealden.

Further information about planning application WD/2025/2402/MAJ can be viewed on the Council's Planning Portal.

Page last updated: 12 Aug 2026, 10:21 AM