‘No comfort or assurance’ in plans to replace The Martlets Hall

NewRiver Retail plan to knock down the venue as part of their regeneration of the town centre, but the developers have not reassured residents it will be replaced.

Chair of the Burgess Hill Town Fairtrade Group and Liberal Democrat Robert Egglestone described his ‘deep concern’ at the decision of Burgess Hill Town Council not to adequately plan for a replacement to the Martlets Hall should it be demolished.

He said “A modern arts facility in Burgess Hill was always factored into the plans for a redeveloped town centre and to be scheduled in so that there would be a seamless transfer from the Martlets to a new centre.

“It, therefore, beggars belief that the Tory councillors in Burgess Hill are prepared to surrender this laudable position for the sake of private development.”

A spokesman for NewRiver Retail said: “The town centre regeneration plans we are progressing do not include re-provision of the Martlets Hall, although we are seeking to provide excellent new community facilities within our proposed development to include a modern purpose-built library along with meeting and activity space for use by local groups and voluntary organisations.

“We understand that the Burgess Hill Town Council and Mid Sussex District Council have been carefully considering for some time how specific uses which currently rely on the Martlets Hall might be accommodated elsewhere within the locality.”

Burgess Hill Town Council’s Town Wide Strategy acknowledges the town’s main events location is the Martlets Hall.The facility was built in the 1970s and houses meeting and function rooms, live entertainment and a cafe.

The strategy states: “However, it is not considered to be fit for purpose by today’s standards due to accessibility and structural issues and changing trends in what is required in the 21st century from such a facility.

“The Town Centre Masterplan envisaged the replacement of this building with a modern and purpose built facility that could be used by the community.”

A spokesman for the town council said these aims still stand.

NewRiver Retail plan to demolish the existing library and Martlets Hall and construct shops, restaurants, homes, hotel, car parking, library, a new boulevard and public square starting September 2016, to be completed two years later.

Though the Liberal Democrat uses the Martlets Hall as a promoter, he concedes it does have failings as a venue.

Mr Egglestone said: “In the absence of any alternative it is the best public venue available and there is nothing else in Burgess Hill of similar size or with similar facilities.”

He added the plans give him ‘no comfort or assurance whatsoever’, and wants engagement with the community in a full, open and honest debate about the development of the arts and arts facilities in Burgess Hill and not behind closed doors.

Councillor Gary Marsh, cabinet member for economic development and property, said: “The Council is very keen to see investment in Burgess Hill town centre and we have been working for many years to try to achieve this.”

NewRiver has put forward a scheme to improve the town centre, and recently held a public exhibition of their proposals.

Cllr Marsh continued: “Mid Sussex District Council is the freeholder and we will now carefully evaluate the proposals from NewRiver. No decisions have been taken about the proposed scheme or the Council’s facilities.”

Burgess Hill Labour say there should be consultation on the proposals to regenerate Burgess Hill, so the town gets a redevelopment in keeping with residents’ desires.

The party does welcome the development as it will boost the economy, shopping activity and create jobs, but is concerned about some aspects of the plan.

A spokseman said: “Our initial view is that there are some difficulties with the current proposals that need to be overcome: The Martlets Hall is doomed to demolition, but nobody seems to be talking about a replacement.

“It is unacceptable for a town of 30,000 – in a few years likely to be 40,000 people – not to have a community facility such as that presently provided by the Martlets.

“Little effort has been made to ensure that the development is in keeping with our town’s character.

“Burgess Hill’s tradition is a town that was built on the tradition of brickwork, so it is inexcusable for the developers not to make more use of this traditional material.”

Labour say the proposed LIDL store will draw shoppers away from the town centre and ruin the aesthetics of the Wolstonbury Way area.

The party added they are concerned about what transport will be like.

A spokesman continued: “At present there is little public transport to the Wolstonbury Way area and the Church Road bus stops are a long way from the proposed new library. And with the loss of all or part of two car parks, where will the new visitors to the town centre park?

“With the cost of car parking an issue with many residents, will enough people come to the town centre to make the new stores viable?”