Category: News
Design Awards shortlisted schemes announced
The Mid Sussex Design Awards celebrate and promote the best local architectural design. The Awards, supported this year by Cordek, aim to highlight the important role that high quality design plays in enhancing the distinctive character of Mid Sussex so that it remains a desirable place to live.
A record number of entries were received and the panel has now shortlisted those who could be recipients across the four categories.
East Grinstead has an entry in the short list under both the Sustainability and the Small Scale Housing categories. So congratulations to Tobias Place, Coombe Hill Road, East Grinstead.
“The standard of entries has been very high,” noted MSDC Councillor Andrew MacNaughton, Cabinet Member for Planning, “and we are lucky to have such a dedicated panel of experts willing to give up a substantial amount of their time to support the project. We all see the value in good design and want to do what we can to support and highlight prime examples.
“All of the shortlisted entries are on display in the MSDC reception area at Oaklands in Haywards Heath, and we welcome anyone who would like to come along and take a look.”
The exhibition of shortlisted schemes will be up until mid September, and will be re-located for the awards ceremony which takes place on Friday 6th of November at East Court in East Grinstead.
School Crossing patrol wanted
WSCC are currently looking for a school crossing patrol to assist the community in crossing busy roads in East Grinstead during school start and finish times.
Full on-site training will be given along with summer and winter uniforms.
If you are interested please contact louise.bishop@westsussex.gov.uk or 0330 222 6744
Term time only, £7.19 per hour. Hours to be confirmed but approx. 1.15 per day split between am and pm
Businesses urged to sign up for Open 4 Business 2015
Local businesses who want to spread the word about their services can now register for a stand at Open 4 Business 2015. This key business event, hosted by Mid Sussex District Council, will take place on Thursday 22nd of October in East Grinstead.
Open 4 Business 2015 gives business representatives a first-hand opportunity to find out what new prospects exist within Mid Sussex and meet other people running businesses in the District. The event also allows relaxed and informal networking with attendees sharing experiences and promoting their particular business to other local companies.
A key part of the event is the superb opportunity it gives for local businesses to promote themselves. Trade stands are now available for businesses in, or offering services to, Mid Sussex. Companies are urged to apply for a stand by Friday 11th September. Trade stands cost £55 + vat and the online booking system is available at www.midsussex.gov.uk/open4business
“Open 4 Business is a key part of business support in the area,” said Councillor Gary Marsh, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Property. “I hope to see many local business people taking advantage of the skills and information which will be available there, as well as sharing their own experiences.”
Open 4 Business supports the growth and development of successful businesses in Mid Sussex. The event is run by Mid Sussex District Council, in association with Burgess Hill Business Parks Association, East Grinstead Business Association, Haywards Heath and District Business Association. The Federation of Small Businesses and Sussex Chamber of Commerce sponsor the event, giving a platform for local business people to share information and develop contacts.
Jeremy Quin MP (Horsham) will attend and open the event.
Open 4 Business 2015 will run from 2pm until 6.30pm on Thursday 22nd October 2015. All Mid Sussex business people are welcome to come along and the event is free to attend. Prior registration is required, so to book to attend, simply fill in the online registration form at www.midsussex.gov.uk/open4business
For more information please contact Mid Sussex District Council at open4business@midsussex.gov.uk or telephone 01444 477053.
Natural England confirms support for 7km zone
Natural England has written to local District Councils to confirm its continued support for a 7km protection zone around Ashdown Forest.
Ashdown Forest is internationally recognised for its special environment of habitats and bird life. It is designated as a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area as well as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Although Ashdown Forest lies outside the Mid Sussex boundary, it is extremely close to the border and any housing development on nearby land in Mid Sussex could have an impact on the forest. To help reduce the potential effects of new house building on the forest, developers in Mid Sussex face additional restrictions if they seek to build within a 7km zone around Ashdown Forest. Potential developers are required to make financial contributions to visitor management at the forest and towards the provision of suitable alternative natural greenspace (SANG) to reduce visitor pressure on the habitat.
A recent Court of Appeal decision overturned Wealden District Council’s planning policy on the 7km zone because the Court concluded that there had been insufficient consideration of alternative strategies to protect the Forest from visitor disturbance.
However, Natural England continues to support the way Mid Sussex District Council is using a 7km zone around Ashdown Forest to determine current planning applications and recommends its inclusion as a policy in the Mid Sussex District Plan.
Councillor Andrew MacNaughton, Cabinet Member for Planning, commented
“I know some people have been confused by the implications of the Court of Appeal decision so we are really grateful to Natural England, as the experts on these matters, for making it clear that it continues to support the 7km zone.
“We have considered different ways of protecting Ashdown Forest from increased visitor numbers and agree with Natural England that a 7km protection zone is the right strategy. Our planning officers continue to work on this issue, so that we further strengthen our evidence base on the alternative strategies and ensure that our District Plan is legally robust”.
For more information, contact the Mid Sussex District Council Planning Policy team on 01444 477053.
Ever had a problem & didn’t know where to turn?
Volunteers at Citizens Advice East Grinstead helped nearly 3,000 people last year from their local community with all types of issues.
We are in need of volunteers to deliver our service. We don’t just need advisers, we need volunteers in all sorts of roles; receptionists, trustees, administration, fundraisers, research and campaigning to name a few. You don’t have to have any qualifications or previous experience, just be able to commit time to us.
What do you get? You get full training & support, travel expenses, to meet new people, improved confidence and better health and wellbeing. Our volunteers say they gain new workplace skills, have gone on to find new employment and feel they make a great contribution locally.
Email Carolyne Smith at volunteer@westsussexcab.org.uk to find out more.
Need advice? We give free, independent, impartial & confidential advice on any matter. Your local CAB is at Cantelupe House and is open Tuesday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm, or call us five days a week on 0344 4771171-10am to 4pm. Alternatively you can access help online at www.citizensadvice.org.uk
VJ Day commemorations in East Grinstead
An act of remembrance for the 70th anniversary of VJ (Victory Over Japan) Day will be held on Saturday 15th of August.
The ceremony will take place at the War Memorial in the High Street at 3 pm. However the High Street will be closed to traffic fro 14.50 to 15.20
The East Grinstead branch of the Royal British Legion supported by East Grinstead Town Council will hold an act of Remembrance for this 70th anniversary.
Wreaths will be laid by Mrs Margaret Collins (Deputy lieutenant) Cllr Dick Sweatman (Town Mayor) and representatives from the British Legion.
While the war in Europe ended in early May 1945 it continued in the Far East. The Japanese finally surrendered on 14 August 1945 following the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet declaration of war and invasion of Manchuria.
The next day, Wednesday 15 August 1945 was celebrated as VJ (Victory over Japan) Day
National Playday at King George’s Park
Worth Way to be closed for improvement work
Parts of Worth Way, a footpath which links East Grinstead and Crawley, will be closed to the public during September and October.
The route between East Grinstead Station and Gullege House, will be shut for improvement surfacing work.
The section between Gullege House and Cob Close, Crawley Down, will also be closed between 9.30am and 3pm to allow access to construction vehicles.
The closures will last for the duration of the work, which is expected to take around six to eight weeks.
Residents will be able to follow an alternative route, using a public bridleway which runs parallel to Worth Way. Maps and signs will be clearly displayed on site to guide people.
David Barling, West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “The work is being undertaken because the path has become very rough and uneven, and parts of the path are not draining properly because the camber has being worn down.
“We know this section of Worth Way is extremely popular with residents and is used by around 90,000 people each year.
“It’s inevitable that this work will cause some disruption while it is being carried out but we’ll do our very best to keep this to a minimum.
“We thank people for their patience while the work is carried out and hope they will agree the work will lead to better journeys along this route when it reopens.”
Heidi Brunsdon, County Councillor for Imberdown, added: “I am extremely pleased that this section of Worth Way is being improved.
“We have been working very closely with the contractors to ensure residents and people who use the path suffer as little disruption as possible.
“The path has worn away through the constant use and I think once the work is finished we will all be very pleased with the new surface.”
For more information about the route and how you may be affected, please contact Simon Rowledge at simon.rowledge@westsussex.gov.uk
A confirmed start date for the work will be announced in the next few weeks.
Worth Way resurfacing and closure FAQs
- When and where will the route be closed? The works will take place in September and October this year. The route will be completely closed between East Grinstead station and Gullege House for the duration. And between Gullege House and Cob Close in Crawley Down Between 9.30am and 3pm daily whilst stone is delivered.
- How long will the work take? The work should be completed in 6 – 8 weeks however weather conditions will be a factor.
- Why does the route need to be closed? During the works heavy machinery will be tracking up and down the path, due to the narrow nature of the site it would be unsafe for people and animals as there would not be a safe passing space.
- Is there an alternate route? An alternate route using the public bridleway that runs parallel to Worth Way from Gullege to East Grinstead via Imberhorne farm will be available. Maps and signs on site will guide you.
- I commute/travel to school this way will I still be able to? Yes, the stone delivery times have been specified so as to cause minimal disturbance to commuters and pupils travelling from Crawley Down to East Grinstead.
- The current surface is fine why is money being spent on a new one? This section of Worth Way has over 90,000 visitors per year which has resulted in the topdressing of the path wearing out leaving the surface un even and unpleasant to use particularly for the elderly and for cyclists and wheelchair users. The camber of the path which allows it to drain water effectively has also worn away. These works are being paid for with s106 money as mitigation for housing developments in the area not public money and will restore the camber and top dressing of the path.
- I am running a sponsored event in September/October can it still go ahead? Contact simon.rowledge@westsussex.gov.uk and he will do his best to help you.
- Will the remainder of the route from Gullege to Crawley Down be resurfaced in the future? Additional s106 funds have been applied for, the remainder of the path will be resurfaced if they are awarded.
- For all other enquiries please forward to: email: simon.rowledge@westsussex.gov.uk, Tel: 0330 222 6730