‘No one wants to see trees removed’: Council leader defends axing of two Burgess Hill trees
The leader of Mid Sussex District Council has defended the planned axing of two mature trees in Burgess Hill town centre despite objections from thousands of people.
Robert Eggleston spoke during a meeting of the full council on Wednesday (September 23)having been bombarded with written questions from residents about the trees, which are in danger from the redevelopment of the Martlets shopping centre.
Planning applications for the redevelopment were approved by the council in 2016 and 2020, with the latter varied in 2025. The first included a building where the trees stand but the second leaves it as open space, with landscaping and planting. The trees stand in one corner of that space, close to proposed hotel and retail buildings.
This proved hard to swallow for some and led to a petition which called for the trees to be saved attracting more than 3,200 signatures. While it was submitted to the council, it was declared inadmissible because it related to a planning matter.
Mr Eggleston said the location of the trees would have an impact on the surface and foundation structure of the proposed new buildings.
He added: “We must consider the issue of the redevelopment of The Martlets shopping centre in context and not just discuss two trees.
“High streets and retail-led schemes nationally are proving very difficult to achieve commercially. Inflationary pressures are exacerbating this.
“We are closer now than has ever been the case previously to achieving a redevelopment for the Martlets shopping centre. I am keen that this significant outcome should remain the focus because of the considerable economic, social and, indeed, environmental benefits it will deliver.
“No one wants to see trees removed, of course, but here the loss has been addressed and will be significantly mitigated.”