Burgess Hill Uncovered Special Report - Sidney West Recreaction Ground

The Burgess Hill Uncovered Special Report: Sidney West 18th February 2006 In January 2006, The Mid Sussex District Council announced their intent to grant a Lease to General Practice Investment Corporation Limited for land at the Sidney West Recreation Ground for the construction of a new medical centre. The reason for this is that the lease at the Park View surgery opposite St Johns Park has run out, and it's claimed the building is too small for all the patients that are on the books. Sidney West is viewed at the ideal location for a new facility. Some members of the Burgess Hill community view this as a money making exercise by the council. Burgess Hill Uncovered have been led to believe that Mr Sidney West left his land as a gift for 'Sporting Pursuits'. This covenant doesn't run out until 2021. The council is yet to comment on this matter, leading to further suspicion that the land should not be leased for a medical centre. We have also been told that underneath Sidney West is a toxic dump. It is feared that council taxpayers are to be burdened with the costs of its clean-up before the redevelopment can begin.

This is how Sidney West looks at the moment, lots of lovely green grass. A perfect place for dog walkers and cricketers, but how long will it remain like this?		This is the car park where the medical centre will be built. Contrasting information suggests the site will either be 1,500 sqft or 1,800 sqft and will be two storeys high.

Some lucky residents of Marle Avenue will have the new medical centre overlooking their properties, unless they are exhibitionists, then the days of topless sunbathing in the summer months will be over.		Those of you that followed the story of the 'gun tower tree house' in the local newspapers will know that one of the reasons that it was pulled down was because it was invading the privacy of others, lets see if the councillors stick to this line when it's a building on their land that will be invading the resident's privacy!

This is the pavillion used by St Andrews cricket club. The council have said that if a medical centre is built on the land, then they MIGHT build a new sports pavillion that can double up as a centre for community groups. Due to the use of the word 'Might' we believe this means that they 'Wont' given this is coming from the council.		This is Leylands Road, one of the busiest in the town. A seemingly endless amount of road works, and users of the Christian centre parking at the side of the road are just some of the obstacles that affect traffic flow during the peak hours. It doesn't take a genius to work out that the addition of a new medical centre will lead to chaos.

		So what will become of Sidney West? The plans have been submitted to the planning officer, letters of objection from local residents have also been sent. At the time of writing, the application has not yet appeared on the southern planning committee's agenda. Now, if this was private land, then it would be likely that the council planning committee would decline the application, but because it is the council who will be making money from leasing their own land, it's likely that it has been a 'done deal' for some time. If a new medical centre does appear, then don't be surprised if buildings start popping up on the green land at Sidney West before the end of the decade. Watch this space!