Mid Sussex District Council releases interim reports on future of the Clair Hall site

PR2443/MJ/JAE - 11/07/2022

BOP, Mid Sussex District Council’s (MSDC), specialist cultural and creative advisors interim report, summarising the key learnings thus far and proposing the next phase of work is now publicly available.

Two major pieces of work have now been completed on the Clair Hall project: the property report and the report by the lead advisor’s, BOP. These reports offer considerable detail into the current picture of the Clair Hall site as well as insight into future opportunities.

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

“A lot of work has gone into the Clair Hall project over the last few months as we work to ensure our community has modern cultural and community provision.

“The evidence is clear that the current buildings are hugely challenged due to their age. Just to bring them to modern operational standards would cost £2.9 million over the next five years, without any additional improvements being made.

“BOP’s interim report reveals, amongst other things, that the cultural provision in Haywards Heath is typical for a town of its size and that the Council should stay open-minded and might need to look for something unique for the Clair Hall site to meet the needs of the local audience”.

“At the Cabinet meeting on 18^th July, we will be discussing the draft objectives, non-negotiables and success criteria for the next stage of the work. This includes a commitment that the Council is not looking to sell the site. Three potential models have been identified by BOP – one based on refurbishment, one based on new culture/community provision, and one based on new culture and community provision alongside other uses. These models will then be tested with the market by BOP to inform the next steps”.

You can read both reports now on the Mid Sussex website at www.midsussex.gov.uk/agenda and don’t forget to register on the Clair Hall Engagement hub at engage.midsussex.gov.uk/clair-hall to be the first to hear the latest news as work progresses.