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East Grinstead lies
in the middle of the Weald on a hill over 400 feet above sea level
just to the north of the Forest Ridge, half-way between London and
the south coast on the A22 and within a few miles of the M23 and
M25. It has its own electrified rail link to London (London Bridge
or Victoria, 30m.), via East Croydon. Gatwick Airport is 7m. W.N.W.
and Newhaven harbour and the Sussex coast some 25m. S.
The town, part of the Mid Sussex District of West Sussex, was founded
as a borough nearly 800 years ago. Its ancient heart remains unspoilt,
ringed by modern housing and surrounded by farms, woodland and the
great open space of Ashdown Forest.
East Grinstead is the shopping centre for its area and has a range
of cultural activities and numerous sporting facilities. Every day
several thousand of its people travel to work in London or Croydon,
many others to Crawley or Gatwick. But the town is by no means a
dormitory, for most of its inhabitants, with some 6000 from outside,
work within its boundaries. The usual service and distributive trades
and the two comprehensive schools cater for the growing population
within a radius of about seven miles. Many find employment connected
with the famous hospital. Other opportunities are provided by the
needs of the passing traffic (though holiday business is small),
building, agriculture, market gardening and their ancillaries. There
are many office blocks in use or awaiting takers and three light
industrial estates. In 2001 it was reckoned the seventh most profitable
town in England.
In the South East Planning Strategy East Grinstead is at the eastern
end of the Crawley/Gatwick sub-region and will have some share in
its controlled expansion but south and east of the town little change
is expected. Future plans for the town include new housing, town
centre redevelopment and traffic-flow improvements, though a relief
road now seems unlikely. Inevitably precise predictions cannot be
made but the town seems set for continued regulated growth which
does not have to be at the expense of its heritage and identity
though pressures for infill housing are strengthening.
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