Youth hostel and arts workshop win County Council funding approval

East Sussex County Council has granted £100,000 towards developing a youth hostel and activity centre in the Lower Ouse Valley,and a further £9,500 towards extending a rural arts workshop in the Barcombe area.

The youth hostel, field study and activity centre will be based at Itford Farm in the Lower Ouse Valley, where the South Downs Way crosses the River Ouse, close to Southease Station. Councillor Jones commented: ”Building a youth hostel is important because it fits in with environmental projects such as Tourism Without Traffic. It will provide much needed affordable places for people to stay in the Newhaven area which will help reinforce the ferry route. It also demonstrates the added value that the County Council already provides in supporting the Sussex Downs Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty.” “This project has significant support from a range of partners and provides widespread economic benefits to rural Lewes district increasing the numbers of visitors which in turn benefits local pubs and restaurants, shops and local suppliers”,

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