Councillors have given the thumbs down to a scheme lodged on behalf of Wood and Pilcher.

They recommend Wealden turns the proposal down on the grounds that planning guidelines say there should not be too many non-retail outlets in a shopping area.

And shoppers back the town council's view.

Chairman of the town council's planning committee, Cllr Len Ashby, abstained from voting.

He told the Express: 'I can see the point members make but I must be mindful that if another estate agent can make a profit, what is wrong with that?

'Not long ago half the High Street shops were empty.

'This is better than that.

'Every town has its superstores now and that is how most people shop.'
There are seven estate agencies in a 200-yard stretch of the High Street.

We asked people in Uckfield High Street what they thought.

Keith Stonham from Isfield, who was collecting for the Rotary Club's Christmas appeal, said: 'I think we have enough estate agents - in fact
I would say there is a surplus.

'But they must do some business or they wouldn't be there.'
John Rose from Cross in Hand agreed. He said: Any new agency is going to struggle a bit, particularly with the depression in the housing market.

Michaela Keenan from Framfield believed the town should have more, not fewer fashion shops.

She said: 'I can't believe one is closing and going to be replaced by an estate agent.

'It's hard to find good clothes in Uckfield now.'

Colin Brain from Heathfield deplored the changing face of shopping streets.

He lives opposite the Hailsham Road post office and said the Uckfield estate agency surplus was another symbol of how difficult it will be for older people to shop locally.

Seventeen-year-olds Stephanie Easton, Kat Porsche and Venita Dawe from Uckfield wanted more choice for clothes shopping. They all admitted going outside the town when they wanted to shop.

Lizzie Silbery and Robin Ellis agreed. 'There are far too estate agents many already.'

Linda Dexter, who runs High Street shop Ambiance, believed non-retail services like chiropodists, dentists and estate agents should be in secondary shopping units or at first floor level - not right on the High Street.

Tell us your views. email: sussex.express@sussexnewspapers.co.uk