Update – 20 April

This week, Mid Sussex District Council is launching meetings with developers interested in the Clair Hall site. These briefings will set out our ambition: to establish a community cultural facility that delivers benefits for local residents. In February, the appointment of a new cultural provider marked another key milestone, and further details about their plans are available in our 17 February update below.

What we are seeking from a developer

We are seeking developer proposals that can realise a new cultural facility while ensuring the project is both viable and sustainable for the long term. Achieving viability will depend on integrating residential units into the development, which is expected to create much needed homes. These discussions are crucial for communicating, our and the community’s priorities, and giving developers the opportunity to clarify requirements as they prepare their bids. Our ambition is to secure proposals that not only deliver a high-quality community facility but also adopt designs that are in harmony with their surroundings, enhancing the character and cohesion of existing developments in the area.

Enabling comprehensive plans for the site

To facilitate the proposed cultural and residential development at Clair Hall, we have published a Section 123 Notice regarding the intended disposal of a modest area of open space on the site's perimeter. This is a necessary step to enable developers to submit comprehensive proposals for the entire site, incorporating both community and housing elements. We are clear in our expectation that developers will maintain landscaping and greening standards in their plans, in line with the quality of other local developments. A plan can be inspected at the reception desk at the District Council offices (Oaklands, Oaklands Road, Haywards Heath) or by emailing property@midsussex.gov.uk or phoning 01444 477577. The section 123 notice went into the local paper on 26 March and 2 April. The deadline for responses to be sent to property@midsussex.gov.uk is 12 noon on Friday 24 April.

Next steps

We anticipate appointing a developer in the autumn of 2026. Once selected, the developer will collaborate closely with the District Council and our newly appointed Cultural Operator, to develop plans reflecting our ambitions for the site. The planning process will include opportunities for local residents to engage on the proposed designs and provide feedback before any final decisions are made by the relevant committee.