 **Breaking News** Martlets Shopping Centre Redevelopment Proposals Win Approval From
District Council Planning Committee
10th March 2016
by Peter Chapman
NewRiver Retail got the green light to redevelop the Martlets Shopping Centre today after Mid Sussex District Council's planning committee took 89 minutes to unanimously vote in favour of the application.
The approval will be greeted with a mixed reaction from Burgess Hill residents.
The Good News
The approval means that the town will see many big name retailers and restaurants form part of the new shopping centre.....and there's that big multiplex cinema too.
The Bad News
Many were against the loss of the Martlets Hall, turning into a 'Mini Crawley' and how the financial deal favoured the applicant much more than Mid Sussex District Council, due to (among other things) avoiding a section 106 payment of around £1 million for public facilities.
The approval will see a number of businesses disappear, unless they can find alternative premises in the town centre. 23 are in danger. You can see which ones here.... http://www.burgesshilluncovered.co.uk/news/2015-10-25-martlets-to-make-23-businesses-homeless.html
Full Meeting Report
Your reporter was reporting live from the meeting via Facebook in the actual chamber (Thanks MSDC officers) You can see all the main points of who said what along with the comments made from the BHU readers here: Burgess Hill Uncovered Live Facebook Update Transcript
What Does This Mean For Future Policy?
The worrying thing about this application was how easily it was approved despite it contravening numerous planning policies of Mid Sussex District Council (That's not saying we shouldn't have town centre redevelopment!)
We wrote earlier in the week how this could set a worrying precedent for the future at a time that we've been told the power now lies with the public and not the developer.
Which future developments will be granted approval even though they fail to meet the policy requirements as set out in documents such as the Neighbourhood Plan?
We'll seek some clarification from MSDC on this issue and update you all.
| Spread the word! The redevelopment of the Martlets Shopping Centre has been approved
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 Got an opinion on this story? Leave a comment below.....
Are you pleased that the town centre redevelopment plans have finally been approved? What parts of the plan/deal bother you, if any?
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