Austin Henderson is not a career politician. He served in the Army and now manages construction projects across the South East – delivering infrastructure on time and on budget. He knows what adequate roads, drainage, and infrastructure look like, and he knows what it costs a community when planning applications are approved without them. In his entire construction career, he has never built on greenfield land. He knows the difference between development that makes sense and 948 homes imposed by a top-down target on countryside that should be protected.
As a new father, Austin has a personal stake in the future of this community. He is standing because Battle and the surrounding villages deserve a county councillor who will oppose this plan. His position is simple: this scale of development is wrong, and he will say so. Battle and the surrounding villages deserve a county councillor who will use the statutory consultee role — on roads, drainage, school capacity, and highway safety — to formally object to every planning application that falls short of the standard this area deserves.
On 7th May, give Austin the opportunity to bring real construction expertise to East Sussex County Council – and to stand up against a housing plan that would change our area forever.
Fix the Council’s Finances
- East Sussex County Council plans to borrow £70 million just to cover day-to-day costs – not to improve services – adding around £3 million a year in interest, with total debt at around £211 million, despite maximum council tax rises.
- Residents who budget and live within their means deserve a council that does the same – properly managing finances and balancing the books.
Cut Waste – Spend What Remains Wisely
- Millions are spent on consultants, administration, and management layers that do not deliver frontline services; Reform will review all discretionary spending within the first 90 days and redirect funds to roads, care, and services Battle and Crowhurst residents actually need.
- Residents deserve full transparency over every pound spent, with decisions led by accountable councillors working alongside council officers.
Fix Our Roads For Good
- East Sussex pays out hundreds of thousands of pounds in pothole compensation each year because cheap temporary fixes replace proper repairs – costing more in the long-term and leaving Battle and Crowhurst’s rural roads and village lanes in poor condition.
- We will review the highways contract and its repair specifications, push for more durable, county-wide repairs, and consider all contract options to deliver better value.
Protecting Battle and Crowhurst’s Countryside and Villages
- Battle and surrounding villages are facing proposals for 948 new homes. Austin Henderson opposes development on this scale, particularly where infrastructure is not in place. The High Weald has the highest level of planning protection, and that protection must be upheld.
- This plan is being driven by the Liberal Democrat Cabinet Member for Planning at Rother District Council – the same party whose candidate is seeking your vote as a defender of the countryside while backing development at a scale across our area.
- These proposals would place unprecedented pressure on Battle and nearby villages. Austin Henderson believes growth must be led by infrastructure, not imposed ahead of it – and that our communities cannot absorb development on this scale.
- East Sussex County Council is a statutory consultee on major planning applications. Drawing on his experience managing infrastructure contracts and tenders, Austin will challenge proposals that do not deliver the roads, water capacity, school places and medical services that our communities need.
Why Reform UK
Last year, your current county councillors voted to cancel this election, denying Battle and Crowhurst residents a voice. Reform UK challenged this in the High Court and restored your vote.
Liberal Democrats claim to stand up for democracy, yet when the key vote was held to cancel your county council elections, three of their councillors were absent – the vote passed by just two. Their actions do not match their words. The Liberal Democrats, whose candidate now asks for your trust, had three councillors absent when votes were held to cancel your elections. On 7th May, residents can deliver their verdict.
Reform UK’s candidates are a fresh team of capable people who have seen council failures first-hand – and are standing to bring practical experience, challenge poor decisions, and push for better outcomes for residents.
Reform UK is committed to:
- Keeping the NHS free and reducing waiting lists.
- Protecting pensions, including protecting the triple lock for pensioners.
- Supporting children with SEND.
- Protecting the environment.
- Cutting energy bills, reducing wasteful government spending, and helping households keep more of what they earn.
