The Crucial Beehive Community Venue Consultation Begins - How Will You Vote?

The new Burgess Hill Town Council administration is hoping to achieve what their predecessors couldn't - and win support for a new community performance venue in the town centre through a consultation which is running until April 21st.



The proposals for the Beehive require a loan of up to £4.8 million from the Public Works Board and will be paid for out of the existing town council finances without a cut to services or a raise in the town council precept.

Back in March 2018, the formerly Conservative-run town council failed to win public support, with a lot of residents angry that the same councillors who voted to have the Martlets Hall demolished to benefit a private business - without a replacement, were then asking the public to dig deep into their pockets to the tune of £12 extra a year per household.

This time around, the town council is run by the Lib Dems, who campaigned to save the Martlets Hall back in 2015. With this party not at fault for the former venue's demise, it's looking more likely that the proposed Beehive scheme - on the site of the disused British Legion building on Cyprus Road - will get over the line.



How To Vote:
A leaflet is currently being distributed to all homes in Burgess Hill, which includes a tear-off, prepaid voting form to send back. Households with multiple occupants over the age of 16 can also choose to vote individually online here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TheBeehive or they can request more forms by contacting the town council directly.

For all the information on the Beehive, visit:
https://www.burgesshill.gov.uk/strategic-planning-economic-development/cultural-quarter/

Due to the 'purdah' pre-election period, the result of the public vote is expected to be announced around May 10th 2021, following the conclusion of the West Sussex County Council elections.