£14million Bid To "Level Up" Burgess Hill Town Centre

Wednesday, 23 June 2021 06:00

By Jade McLean

Mid Sussex County Council has made a bid for 14 million pounds from the government's Levelling Up Fund to make improvements to Burgess Hill.

They propose to regenerate the town centre by upgrading The Martlets Shopping Centre, creating a new digital hub to help support local businesses and creating sustainable travel to neighbouring villages.

Mims Davies MP said:

“I am pleased to support this important bid to the Levelling Up Fund. Burgess Hill and Mid Sussex is growing.

"Good progress is being made on delivering sustainable housing, employment space, new public facilities and sustainable transport links.

"But, I know the town centre remains a significant concern for my constituents and the ongoing requirement to update the facilities and its offer to a growing community.

"Its redevelopment is clearly lagging behind the other investment in the town and the pandemic has further frustrated the pace of its recovery.

"My Government recognises this is an issue for town centres across the country and it is why it has enabled investment through the Levelling Up Fund.

“This £14m bid aims to address the issues and speed up the pace of the redevelopment for the whole town centre.

"If successful, it will provide the vital new injection needed to quickly deliver much wanted and desired local improvements to our town centre that are so needed and well supported.”

Andrew Griffith, MP said:

“This Levelling Up Fund bid aims to leverage significant additional private sector funding to regenerate the town centre.

"If successful, it will benefit my constituents living in nearby villages of Hassocks, Keymer and Hurstpierpoint with sustainable transport links to the town and job creation.”

Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Leader of Mid Sussex District Council said:

“The District Council is determined to do what it can to support the regeneration of Burgess Hill town centre and, if successful, our bid to the Levelling Up Fund will accelerate delivery of the regeneration project.

"It will also fund projects to improve sustainable transport and open a Digital Hub to support local businesses and create jobs in the town centre. A successful bid would be a big boost for Burgess Hill and the local economy and I hope that the community will get behind it.”

Paul Marshall, Leader of West Sussex County Council said:

“We are determined to support the growth of Burgess Hill and the facilities communities need.

"We are currently dualling of the A2300 to improve access to the town and, in partnership with New River Retail, we have delivered a new, award-winning library.

"We now want to help get the town centre updated. If the bid is successful, my Council will help deliver public realm improvements and more sustainable transport.”