Brighton deal could boost Mid Sussex jobs

Brighton and Hove City Council is seeking a start-up investment of £8million through a ‘City Deal’ with the government that would give it greater autonomy over developing enterpise and jobs.

Under the proposals, Brighton’s enterprise region would extend to Mid Sussex, Worthing, Lewes and Adur.

The finer details are being worked out, but the main hub and the catalyst for change would be in the New England Quarter of Brighton around the city’s railway station.

In a ten year development plan, growth hubs in a wide catchment would include the proposed business and science park on land at Goddards Green on the western fringe of Burgess Hill, which could extend the influence of research and development projects at Brighton and Sussex universities along the A23/M23 corridor.

Other hubs would include a digital and creative hub in Worthing and a ‘Clean Tech Growth Hub’ at Newhaven that would capitalise on E.ON’s offshore wind scheme and marine and environmental engineering projects.

Mid Sussex District Council’s Cabinet has agreed to join the Greater Brighton scheme that would complement the existing benefits of the Gatwick Diamond enterprise network to the north.

Henry Adams Planning Ltd, which drew up a feasibility study for the district council on a new business park for Burgess Hill, stated in a report published last year that the town was “not a recognised office location” and was “secondary to Crawley” for industrial employment but noted that a modern business park near the A23 could attract “inward investment and larger modern businesses seeking prestige campus style premises”.

Councillor Norman Webster, the district council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Property, said: “Participating in the City Deal will help to ensure the delivery and long term success of the science and business park.

“However, we are being careful that the structure of our involvement means that Mid Sussex can be flexible and proportionate about our commitment, helping to shape schemes which will benefit our area.”

Jason Kitcat, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council said: “Together, we will be much more effective at negotiating new powers and freedoms from government whilst attracting investment and businesses.”