Residents can help design their town's future

At a town council initiated design day on March 27, professionals and local people will work side-by-side to brainstorm a vision for the future of the town.

Around a dozen local architects will lead teams of residents and representatives of business and community groups, along with architecture students, town, district and county councillors to redesign the centre of Uckfield.

Participants will be asked to let their imaginations run riot, with no budgetary or planning constraints.

Helen Wren, director of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) South East, who is co-ordinating the design day, said: 'Vision for Uckfield will be a light-hearted competition, but with serious intent. 'Major developments in towns in this region are often designed by architects from outside the area.

'We are able to involve local practices, who have both the necessary expertise and the sense of spirit of place that can kick-start the redevelopment process with exciting ideas.'