Council takes over Kings Weald community building

PR2387/EC/MF - 12/10/2021

A new community building for Burgess Hill was formally handed over to Mid Sussex District Council at a ceremony on Saturday 9 October.

Mid Sussex MP Mims Davies was in attendance to cut the ribbon and officially mark the transfer of the Kings Weald Community Building from housing developer Croudace to the local authority.

Kings Weald is a 475-home development, located at the former Keymer Brick & Tile site to the east of Burgess Hill. Mid Sussex Planning Policy requires that developers provide community facilities alongside the new houses as part of a Section 106 legal agreement. In addition to the fantastic new building, Croudace is providing some excellent community facilities on site including a large area of public open space, a retail unit, GP surgery, a playground, a multi-use games area, a mini soccer pitch and a new public work of art.

Councillor Norman Webster, Mid Sussex District Council Cabinet Member for Community said:

“We are absolutely delighted to accept the keys to this fabulous, high quality public building and now we can start work on preparing, furnishing and adding the final finishes to the centre, so that it’s ready to open to the public in early 2022.

“This wonderful new building will be leased to Age UK West Sussex Brighton and Hove, and will provide an intergenerational hub for the whole community to enjoy. We’ve already had lots of enquires from groups that are interested in making bookings for a range of activities like choir, dance, drama, brownies, fitness classes and children’s parties.

“Age UK WSBH has a wealth of experience when it comes to managing community venues and can call on an established army of volunteers to help manage a diverse and accessible programme of activities for local people of all ages.”

Matthew Norris, Managing Director – South Thames, Croudace Homes said:

“I am delighted to officially hand over the new Kings Weald Community Centre. The completion of this building marks the culmination of several years of enthusiastic work by a dedicated team at Croudace Homes. From the outset, the whole emphasis has been on quality in design and construction and we are delighted with the end result. I hope that the building serves the residents of our development and the surrounding community very well for many years into the future”.

Sarah Watson, Chief Operating Officer for Age UK West Sussex Brighton and Hove added:

“The building handover takes us one step closer to throwing the doors open for the community. We’ve got big plans and we’re working closely with the council to get everything up and running as soon as possible. We can’t wait to welcome people and see the place buzzing with activity.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove’s plans for the building or getting involved can email info@ageukwsbh.org.uk with the title ‘Keymer’.

ENDS