Author: Andrew Taylor

A house in East Grinstead that has stood empty for almost 20 years is set to be brought back into use.

Mid Sussex District Council has agreed to obtain a Compulsory Purchase Order for 125 Queen’s Road, East Grinstead following a number of complaints from local residents about the poor condition of the property and the state of the gardens.

The Council has been working with the owner for many years to try and persuade him to carry out the necessary improvements to the house but the property remains empty and in a poor state of repair. Three separate Section 215 planning notices have been issued on the property that legally require improvement works to be completed. The rundown property has become a blight on the neighbourhood and has caused considerable distress to neighbours.

“It’s such a shame to see empty properties going to waste when we have so many local families who are struggling to get on the property ladder,” said Councillor Norman Webster, Cabinet Member for Health and Community.

“We work with the owners of long-term empty properties around the district to try and help them bring their properties back into use. These homes can be empty for many different reasons and most issues can be overcome with time and support. But, in some cases it’s just not possible to reach an agreement and we are left with no choice but to step in.

“We always give the owners of long-term empty properties every opportunity to bring their properties into use or arrange a private sale. However, where the owner won’t work with us to improve the situation, then a Compulsory Purchase Order is our only option.”

Once the Compulsory Purchase Order is obtained, the house will be put on the open market with an agreement that whoever buys the property ensures all improvements works are completed and it is lived in once more.

As a grand finale to the town’s Fairtrade Fortnight a Rich Man – Poor Man lunch was held by the organisers on Sunday at St Peter’s School. Joining the guests were Town Mayor Dick Sweatman and Deputy Town Mayor Bob Mainstone. The Fairtrade Fortnight included Fairtrade breakfasts, stalls at Imberhorne, Sackville and St Peter’s Schools, a visit from a Fairtrade banana producer from Columbia and the Town Mayor and his Deputy representing East Grinstead at the Celebrating Fairtrade in West Sussex event in Horsham on Friday night.

Deputy Town Mayor Bob Mainstone joined a group of fellow Trustees of the Museum together with many of its volunteer staff at the Museum on Sunday morning. Bob, who is the nominated Town Council representative on the Museum’s Board of Trustees, was full of enthusiasm for the new plans to enhance the Museum’s displays about the work of Sir Archibald McIndoe and the Guinea Pig Club. “It certainly is an important year for the town’s association with the Guinea Pigs”. Said Bob, “So we are all very excited that the Museum will be able to play an even bigger part in telling the story to a wider audience both of townsfolk but also a national and  overseas audience.”

Later this year the Town Council will welcome the last remaining Guinea Pigs to their final annual meeting at East Court.

Last summer contractors working for the water supply company undertook major engineering works to pipework underneath the Market Square in the High Street.

The work went on for several weeks and the area was placed off limits while the work was completed. Several of the paving slabs were replaced by metalwork covers and as a result gaps were left to be filled in.

These gaps did not use the original stone and left the Market Square looking in a poor state.

The Town Council have been in frequent discussions with West Sussex Highways, the body responsible for the paved area, and at long last a suitable natural stone replacement has been sourced and plans are now in place to reinstate the area.

Town Clerk Julie Holden said “Although this has taken longer than we wished, the end result means that the heart of our historic High Street will be picture perfect once again. The new stone will need time to weather in to match the existing pavings, so it may not look a perfect match to start with.”

Over 100 competitors took part in the East Grinstead & District Lions Swimathon on Saturday evening at Kings Leisure Centre. The event was sponsored by John O’Dwyer, owner of the East Grinstead McDonalds franchise, and together with Town Mayor Dick Sweatman and Lions President Mike Barty, welcomed swimmers of all ages who were taking part to raise funds for their own good causes, whilst also supporting their community via Lions charities.

Teams representing Sackville, Imberhorne, and St Peter’s schools competed alongside the 1st Forest Row Falcons, 8th EG Scouts, Tadpoles, Bloomin’ Arts, Pericles and Parkinsons UK and swam in relay for 25 minutes raising £3,000 during the evening. Once all sponsorships have been collected, teams will be presented with cheques during the Lions May Fair in East Grinstead High Street on Bank Holiday Monday May 2nd.

L-R: Lions president Mike Barty, John O’Dwyer, Mayor Dick Sweatman

Sackville School who entered 7 teams and are largest event supporter

Parkinsons UK

Bloomin Arts

1st F Row Falcons