District Council Grant Landlord's Consent For New Stand At Burgess Hill Town Football Club

Following a public dispute, Burgess Hill Football Club finally met with MSDC officers on Monday 18th January to discuss the club's future under their current landlord/tennant relationship.

There was a positive outcome from the meeting which has resulted in a number of actions that will help to ensure that the football club retains its place in the Ryman League Premier Division.

• MSDC will give landlord’s consent to the erection of a new stand on the condition that the club makes application for planning permission and building regulation consent, if required, as soon as practical.
  
  
• A crowd management plan is still required before MSDC can enter into negotiations for a longer term lease. It has been agreed that officers from the District Council will work with the General Manager of the Football Club as a matter of urgency on the completion of this plan.

Cllr Garry Wall, leader of MDSC said:
“Council officers have had a very positive meeting today with representatives from Burgess Hill Town Football Club. There was a genuine willingness from all at the meeting to resolve the current situation and to work together as matter of urgency to ensure that the club retains its position in the Ryman League Premier Division.

“Mid Sussex District Council will give the utmost priority to issuing the necessary consents that will enable the club to improve its facilities for fans and to negotiate a longer lease that will enable the club to access funding.”

John Rattle, General Manager at Burgess Hill Town Football Club added:
“It’s important that we move forward. The meeting was very positive and I am pleased that we have gained the necessary agreements that we need to carry out the required improvements.

"It’s clear that there have been misunderstandings, but I am pleased that MSDC acknowledges the massive contribution that BHTFC makes to the local community and that they want to work with us to ensure that this continues well into the future.”

BHU's View
It's encouraging that things are moving forward between BHTFC and MSDC. However, this is only just the first stage in a number of requirements for the club's long-term future.

MSDC have said that they need an updated crowd managemen plan, why? The ground has provision for 1,600 spectators, there has been no request to increase the ground's capacity.

It seems strange that MSDC claim to acknowledge the massive contribution that BHTFC makes to the local community, yet they've left the club hanging for months.

It's our hope that by the end of the season, BHTFC remain in the Ryman Premier with a new stand, a favourable long-term lease and knowledge of where their long-term future lies within the big developments due to happen across the town in the coming years.

Got an opinion on this story? Leave a comment below.....
Are you pleased that things are moving forward between MSDC and BHTFC? Do you think planning permission for the stand will be a formality? What about their long-term future?