New bid to save Horsham’s historic Drill Hall

New action is being taken to save Horsham’s historic Drill Hall following an announcement that it could be converted into new homes.
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A petition to save the hall - in Denne Road - built for the local Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment in the 1920s - has been launched by Horsham Blueprint Neighbourhood Forum. Hundreds have already signed it.

The petition follows a public outcry which erupted last week after Horsham District Council first announced that it was considering replacing the hall with ‘affordable homes.’

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And former district Councillor Christian Mitchell joined in public opposition to the proposals and called for the landmark building to be saved.

Horsham Drill Hall -photo by Steve Cobb ENGSUS00120120817123807Horsham Drill Hall -photo by Steve Cobb ENGSUS00120120817123807
Horsham Drill Hall -photo by Steve Cobb ENGSUS00120120817123807

Now Horsham Blueprint Neighbourhood Forum, in its on-line petition, is also putting forward strong opposition.

It says: “When the old Horsham Town Hall was closed, residents were promised that the Drill Hall would remain as the community hall for the town.

“It hosts concerts, beer festivals, job fairs, dances, adult education, the list goes on. It remains the only venue in Horsham able to host many of these functions,”

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Councillors will be asked to approve a business case for converting the Drill Hall into homes and for a new community centre to be built at Highwood at a meeting on Thursday (January 23).

Meanwhile, Horsham Blueprint Forum say the alternative facilities being proposed by the council at Highwood are ‘wholly inadequate and contrary to the emerging draft Neighbourhood Plan.’

They are urging people to sign their petition at https://www.change.org/SaveHorshamDrillHall