Ambitious and forward thinking, Mid Sussex District Council is ensuring the delivery of sustainable economic development. Balancing the need for new high quality homes, modern employment floorspace and the digital infrastructure to support high growth industries and attract inward investment
Read more: Commercial Property Monthly - Volume 39 Issue 5 :: 26 (yudu.com)
The Solar Together Sussex initiative is helping residents and businesses in West Sussex to invest in renewable energy through a group buying scheme for solar panels, battery storage and EV charge points.
The scheme helps owner-occupied businesses and commercial landlords to switch to clean energy by providing high-quality Solar Photo-Voltaic (solar PV) systems from pre-approved, industry regulated suppliers at competitive prices.
Find out more here: https://solartogether.co.uk/mid-sussex/home
West Sussex businesses currently suffering from the slowest broadband speeds are being supported to get online with an alternative 4G mobile broadband solution.
West Sussex County Council is working with the county's District and Borough Councils to make new funding available to support testing and installation of a bespoke wireless alternative to fibre broadband. The solution will enable businesses to receive a boosted 4G signal directly to their property to power internal broadband.
The 4G Mobile Broadband Voucher Scheme typically offers up to £1,250 per qualifying business to cover the costs of a practical signal test and the subsequent installation of the new 4G solution, including all necessary equipment.
In Mid Sussex businesses can benefit from full-fibre internet services as a fibre optic network 'spine' has been installed across the district (you can find out more at http://digitalmidsussex.co.uk/)
To learn more about the Mobile Broadband Voucher scheme, go here https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/news/new-scheme-to-supercharge-business-connectivity-in-west-sussex-launches/
Car insurance broker 1st Central part of the First Central Insurance Group, were recently recognised as one of the UK's Best Workplaces™ by Great Place to Work, the global authority on workplace culture. 1st Central was ranked 23rd out of 57 in the Super Large Organisations category following rigorous evaluations of hundreds of employee survey responses alongside submissions from leaders.
Students from across the district took part in a thrilling race at the South of England Showground in Ardingly for the annual Mid Sussex STEM Challenge.
Their task was to research, develop and build a remote-controlled vehicle to navigate an obstacle course. Students also had to fulfil a brief with specifications including artificial intelligence, camera attachment and a motorised chassis.
Students taking part in the challenge were supported by local engineering and medical supply companies who acted as mentors, working with schools to share their knowledge and provide students with a "real-world" view of working in the industry.
Professor Winfried Hensinger, local business owner and director of the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies, called the race 'truly outstanding' and said the level of innovation on display was 'amazing'.
He said: "This is the best way to get students into STEM subjects – it has to start now. I build quantum computers and we need more people here in Britain to engage in STEM. "
London's Gatwick Airport, on Mid Sussex's doorstep, is welcoming two new restaurants and wine bars this spring – Vagabond Bar & Kitchen and South Downs Sparkling Wine Bar – showcasing a vast array of local wines, beers and produce from across the region.
Award-winning urban winery Vagabond is opening at Gatwick's South Terminal and bringing with it a sister bar - South Downs - a brand-new concept offering locally sourced wine and food. Local vineyards, including Kingscote in East Grinstead, will be available allowing passengers to try some of the best wines Sussex and Kent have to offer.
Representatives from Mid Sussex attended a national event in May to showcase the exciting wealth of opportunities in the region. Delegates from Mid Sussex joined more than 8,000 other participants at the UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) which connects people, places and businesses to accelerate and unlock sustainable, inclusive and transformational investment.
Mid Sussex's Head of Regeneration and Sustainable Economy Lara Southam said: "We learned a great deal from the event seminars and used the networking opportunities to highlight the great opportunities for new businesses and investors here in Mid Sussex, which we ultimately hope will attract more businesses and investment into the area and boost our economy."
A planning application for Mid Sussex District Council's proposed Centre for Outdoor Sport in Burgess Hill is expected to be submitted in June following a recent public exhibition of plans last month.
The Centre will occupy the 8.6 hectare site located just south of the A2300 in Burgess Hill. This is another part of the Brookleigh development which will complement and add to the district's existing sports facilities. The plans have been developed following a comprehensive consultation with key sports clubs from Burgess Hill.
Read more here: https://engage.midsussex.gov.uk/cfos
In a first for Mid Sussex, local people have the chance to become homeowners despite having no savings, thanks to an innovative partnership between Mid Sussex District Council and affordable Rent to Buy providers, Rentplus-UK.
The new partnership means eight new affordable Rent to Buy homes were made available on a prestigious Abbey Developments site, known as Martins Mead, located close to Felbridge. Under the model, private finance funds new affordable housing at no cost to the local council.
The Rentplus homes saw over 100 applicants and all homes have now been allocated. All tenants are key or essential workers, including working in the NHS, emergency services or local schools.
Sage Homes has handed over the keys to its first 50 residents at the new Brookleigh development in Burgess Hill under a major public-private sector partnership.
The Shared Ownership and Affordable Rent homes are the first affordable properties to be finished at Brookleigh, which is a partnership between Mid Sussex District Council, housing providers, and Homes England, the government's housing delivery arm.
Tabitha Lane and Charlie Singer have moved into their new two-bedroom flat with their daughter Ava-Grace, aged three, and 15-month-old son Albie.
Charlie, who is a trained gardener and primary carer for Ava-Grace, who has autism, said their new home is better and cheaper than their old rented flat/house.
He said: "I was blown away by it – I had never lived in a new-build before, so to be offered the option of living here was amazing. It's more affordable, and it's good to be part of the new community that's being built here."
Their new home was built by Countryside Partnerships, who are delivering the first 460 homes as part of the wider Brookleigh development, which will ultimately deliver 3,500 new homes. As part of the development, Countryside Properties will provide over 50% as affordable homes (237 units), managed by Sage Homes.
Graham Hyslop, Director for Projects (South) at Homes England, said: "Having our first residents move into their new family homes is a really important – probably the most important - milestone for Brookleigh. Homes England is committed to placemaking and all that that involves – including providing supporting infrastructure like connecting roads, footpaths, cycleways, green corridors, schools and shared outdoor spaces to enable more new homes to be built here and to create a real feeling of "place". I look forward to watching this sustainable community continue to come to life as more people and families move in over the coming months and start to use the excellent facilities Brookleigh will provide, both now and in the future."
Mid Sussex District Council has worked hard to maintain financial stability and attract investment into the District; a prudent financial approach that has helped to protect frontline services, fund ambitious new projects and maintain one of the lowest levels of Council Tax in Sussex.
Each year the Council sets out how it will deliver its services and use its financial resources over the next 12 months. The plan is created in line with the Council's key priorities; to provide effective and responsive services, create sustainable economic growth, deliver strong and resilient communities, and maintain financial independence.
In 2023/24 Mid Sussex District Council will continue to progress several key investment projects including, improvements in four major parks and play areas, the delivery of more temporary housing and construction of a new Centre for Outdoor Sports to the west of Burgess Hill.
Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Leader of Mid Sussex District Council said:
"Our council has spent millions of pounds since 2020 to keep our key services going, particularly our much-valued leisure centres.
"Work to build our new Centre for Outdoor Sport in Burgess Hill is due to start later this year. It represents the biggest investment in outdoor sports for a generation and will deliver modern community sports facilities for the whole community to enjoy.
"We will also be working to improve our flagship parks across the district. These beautiful open spaces in the heart of our communities mean so much to local people and we are investing in their future to ensure they remain a wonderful place for our residents to visit.
"I'm delighted that the budget was unanimously approved by Councillors on a cross-party basis."
Read the full press release here: https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/about-us/press-releases-and-publications/council-includes-significant-investments-in-202324-budget/
Credit: BBC News
University of Sussex and Universal Quantum scientists have, for the first time, connected quantum microchips together, to make powerful quantum computers, demonstrating the growing reputation Mid Sussex has as a leading hub for science and tech.
Researchers, based in Haywards Heath, have shown for the first time that quantum bits (qubits) can directly transfer between quantum computer microchips, demonstrated with record-breaking speed and accuracy. This breakthrough resolves a major challenge in building quantum computers large and powerful enough to tackle complex problems that are of critical importance to society; from drug discovery to making fertilizer production more energy-efficient and solving important problems in nearly every industry, ranging from aeronautics to the financial sector.
This extraordinary breakthrough comes off the back of the Government's Department of International Trade pledging to put its weight behind Mid Sussex's planned new Science and Tech Park, deemed as essential to the country's future economic growth.
The Council has allocated nearly 50ha for a science and tech site which will have the potential to deliver up to 4,500 jobs, 1.3million sq. ft of commercial floorspace and 80,000 sq. ft of ancillary support and amenity facilities, with between 40,000-50,000 people within cycling distance and 1,500 within walking distance.
With a world-leading reputation for delivering innovation and economic growth, the region's science and tech experts are also pledging their support to this year's Mid Sussex STEM challenge. Of this year's challenge, Professor Winfried Hensinger, Director of the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies said: "Students who work on the STEM Challenge today may well be building quantum computers in the not so distant future. And the region is aiming to become a new Quantum Silicon Valley based on the world leading expertise we have; the STEM challenge helps to enable such a Silicon Valley in our region."
The Flying Scotsman will be visiting Sussex's Bluebell Railway as part of celebrations for the locomotive's 100th anniversary.
The train will be offering trips along the 11-mile heritage railway over two weeks, which offers views across the South Downs.
The event promises an educational day out for the whole family, with train stations transporting passengers to different time periods from the past 150 years.
The historic train will be stopping at Sheffield Park, Horsted Keynes, Kingscote and East Grinstead.
Visitors will be able to learn more about the history of the Bluebell Railway at Sheffield Park station, which houses an accredited museum, a working signal-box exhibit and an interactive learning experience.
The visit by the Flying Scotsman is part of a nationwide tour, which will see it take scenic trips across the country, with stops in Portsmouth, Lancashire, Cardiff and along its route from London up to the East Scottish coastline.
Passengers can take a ride on the locomotive this summer from August 14 to 31.
February 24 will mark 100 years since the Flying Scotsman first entered service on the London King's Cross to Edinburgh route.
More information at: https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/flying-scotsman/centenary-programme/flying-scotsman-bluebell-railway
RISE (Research Innovation in Sussex Excellence) are offering FREE online workshops on the STEPS to Innovation.
Suitable for SMEs, the series of five workshops focuses on successfully realising innovation in business, building towards the successful launch of an innovation idea.
The free programme is delivered by universities and innovation experts. Each session is designed to build upon the previous and include:
SCOPE - identifying ideas for innovation and developing initial concepts, the core concepts, different types of innovation, and the capability of a business to innovate.
TEST - introducing key approaches to testing and proving the worth of an innovation idea. It explores how to get a proof of concept, validate the idea, and test for strengths and weaknesses.
EVALUATION - evaluates the innovation idea through market analysis and competitor research.
PILOT - piloting and trials.
SCALE UP - scaling up the innovation and making decisions on launch.
Click here for more information and to view upcoming sessions.
Real estate developers Panattoni have started speculatively developing a 452,469ft² last-mile logistics development at Burgess Hill, West Sussex after planning was granted in January this year.
Panattoni Park Burgess Hill is located on a 22-acre site which will be home for 14 units ranging from 8,136 up to 142,815ft² in phase one.
The units will be built to a BREEAM rating of 'Very Good' and an EPC rating of 'A' and will benefit from 15% roof lights, electric charging points for vans and cars and up to 7.5 MVa of available power.
David McGougan, Development Director at Panattoni, said: "We are pleased to be bringing forward this first of three southern developments planned for 2024 [the other two are in Crawley and Brighton]. We start on site in March this year and will have all units completed and ready for occupation in the first quarter of 2024. We forecast that the delivery of these new units will provide up to 1,000 jobs to the region."
Panattoni said the scale of construction emphasised its continued commitment to speculative development in key, undersupplied markets.
Agents at Burgess Hill are DTRE, Lambert Smith Hampton and SHW.
Burgess Hill Means Business – the biggest business expo in Mid Sussex organised by Burgess Hill Business Parks Association (BHBPA) and comprising of 65 exhibitors, was officially opened by Mid Sussex MP Mims Davies last month, attracting over 250 visitors.
Mid Sussex District Council works closely with the three business associations in the district and the Council's Economy and Wellbeing teams joined the many others at this popular business expo event.
Exhibitors represented a wide variety of business sectors, including viticulture, manufacturing, facilities management, finance, legal, marketing, training, telecoms, hospitality and more.
The event was designed to embrace the community spirit of BHBPA's organisation, creating an opportunity for local businesses to gather and network.
Richard Cox, BHBPA's CEO stated "Apart from this super event, BHBPA has monthly face-to-face meetings, an SEO optimised website business directory and a highly informative weekly newsletter with 3,500 subscribers. This is all amplified by a strong social media presence.
"One of the reasons behind our growth is the group's distinctive focus. It is a community led organisation where best practice is shared and collaboration achieves results, whether that is sustainability issues, such as solar power generation and creating a local energy cooperative, or equality, diversity and inclusivity. This is where we get the most engagement from our very largest members, it creates a 'trickle down' of experience and knowledge for our larger and smaller SMEs."
Find out more about BHBPA at www.bhbpa.co.uk.
Digital Futures West Sussex has announced three business leaders as Digital Futures ambassadors for the county.
These are; Mark Bullen, MD, GB Electronics; Luke Mead, CEO LMS Group; Barney Durrant, Director, Bluebell Digital based in East Grinstead. They will be the business voice for the Digital Futures programme which will run through 2023, improving access to the wide range of digital careers available across the county and helping to meet the skills needs of growing businesses.
As Managing Director of Worthing-based electronics design company and manufacturer GB Electronics, Mark Bullen already works with schools and colleges in West Sussex to inspire young people to pursue careers in innovation and tech.
Mark said: "I am delighted to be chosen as an ambassador for Digital Futures West Sussex. We can certainly see considerable potential in our region and in order to maximise opportunities, it is vital to dramatically increase the profile of the digital industry.
"This will have a positive knock-on effect on inward investment, promoting more start-ups, fast-tracking company growth and presenting West Sussex as a fantastic location for established technology-orientated businesses to base themselves in."
Having started out fixing computers in his bedroom at the age of 15, Luke Mead set up Chichester-based IT support company LMS Group in 2010.
Luke said: "The shortage of homegrown tech talent has always been apparent when recruiting at LMS Group. To be involved as a Digital Futures ambassador means I can share the experience I've gained over the past 15 years of working in tech within the county, and to showcase the benefits of building a digital career in tech within the county too."
Barney Durrant has more than 20 years' experience in the digital sector. After seven years working at Google, he set up his own digital marketing company, Bluebell Digital, in East Grinstead.
Barney said: "I'm passionate about the internet and the opportunities that digital can offer young people and those looking for a change in direction in their careers.
"As a digital marketer, my business is closely aligned with educating businesses about what they can achieve online, so this project seems like a natural fit for me. I can't wait to engage with people across the county on this vital area for our future economic development."
Each ambassador brings experience and knowledge on the advanced digital skills gaps in the county and the challenges businesses currently face in recruiting tech talent, as well as the significant growth of digital industries in West Sussex.
The three Digital Futures ambassadors will play a key role in supporting businesses in their local area to attract homegrown tech talent, as well as supporting jobseekers with guidance on suitable entry routes to digital jobs and showcasing the benefits of a digital career in the county.
Digital Futures West Sussex is jointly funded by West Sussex County Council and the West Sussex Districts and Boroughs. The programme is being led by local strategic consultancy Always Possible with support from the three Digital Futures ambassadors, working in partnership with local authorities, education providers and business networks to raise awareness about the range of digital jobs available across various sectors in West Sussex.
The programme will be running multiple events across the county in 2023, starting with pop-up information hubs in January to connect jobseekers, those seeking a career change, graduates and students with trainers and businesses to showcase the opportunities available.
To find out more about Digital Futures West Sussex, please visit: https://www.digitalfuturesws.co.uk/
An ambitious project to create a new ultra-low-carbon secondary school in Burgess Hill has taken another significant step forward with the appointment of a contractor.
Following a competitive tendering process, West Sussex County Council has appointed Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd to deliver the new £57m school, with initial work set to begin on site later this year.
The 900-pupil secondary school at the new Brookleigh development, will provide high quality secondary school places for the children living in the 3,500 new homes and the wider Burgess Hill area. It will be part of one 'all-through' primary and secondary school on two sites, named The Bedelands Academy.
West Sussex County Council has committed nearly £40m of funding to design and create the new school, in what is the Council's single largest school investment in the last decade. Homes England is contributing around £18m in S106 developer contributions and the land.
The school is designed to be net carbon-zero in operation and the first Sussex school to achieve Passivhaus accreditation, the highest standard of energy efficiency a building can reach.
Nigel Jupp, Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills, said: "The contractor has extensive experience of building high quality, low-carbon schools and their appointment marks a second major milestone in as many months, after planning permission was awarded in December last year.
"Helping children and young people to fulfil their potential and tackling climate change are two of the Council's priorities in Our Council Plan. In creating this innovative new school, we are delivering on those priorities by creating the most environmentally friendly school possible where children will flourish.
"We look forward to working with our partners to deliver these modern and inspiring educational facilities for families in Mid Sussex."
Richard Poulter, Managing Director of Willmott Dixon Construction South, said "We are delighted to be working on this Passivhaus project in Burgess Hill. Carbon reduction is hugely important to our business, with the secondary element of the Bedelands Academy being the third Passivhaus school we have delivered in the South of England and the first in Mid Sussex. The Passivhaus accreditation mirrors the commitments we have set out in our Now or Never strategy, supporting a net zero future by 2030.
We are keen to support our customers when they choose to prioritise low or zero carbon options within their projects and are looking forward to partnering with West Sussex County Council in realising its sustainability ambitions."
The secondary school will have a 16-place Special Support Centre for children with special educational needs and disabilities, along with high quality sports facilities that will be available for community use.
The project also underlines the Council's commitment to significantly reducing carbon emissions in our Climate Change Strategy, with climate resilience built into the designs to ensure the school:
The new 'all-through' primary and secondary Bedelands Academy will be run by the University of Brighton Academies Trust. The primary school is being developed and funded separately by Homes England, the Brookleigh master developers, on a nearby site.
The secondary school is expected to open to its first pupils in September 2025 and will grow in size each year.
Councillors examined the annual status report on air quality at a meeting of Scrutiny Committee for Community, Customer Services and Service Delivery on Wednesday 1 February 2023.
Mid Sussex District Council monitors air quality at 33 sites across the district and data is presented to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) each year. Monitoring covers the two main types of pollutant, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which is the result of motor vehicle emissions and particulate matter (PM), a general term for tiny soot, grit and dust particles.
The overall air quality in Mid Sussex is good and general trends show that it is getting better year on year.
One area of the district that requires close monitoring is Stonepound Crossroads in Hassocks, which historically has exceeded the recommended levels of NO2 due to high volumes of traffic and the close proximity of residential properties to the road. The Council has an Air Quality Action Plan for the area to help reduce pollution, encouraging motorists to turn off their engines when stationary at the traffic lights and promoting alternative modes of transport.
Improvements have already been made to local cycle routes and further work is due to take place later this year, linking Dale Road in Hassocks with Manor Road in Hurstpierpoint. The air quality improvement measures and the newer, cleaner vehicles on the roads are working to reduce pollutant concentrations at the Stonepound Crossroads, with data showing a steady decline in NO2 levels since the Air Quality Management Area was declared in 2011.
Moving to low carbon forms of transport such as electric vehicles will further help to improve air quality by reducing nitrogen dioxide emissions. The Council is working in partnership with West Sussex County Council to dramatically increase the number of Electric Vehicle Charging Points available on street and in public car parks. Over the next 10 years thousands of new chargers will be installed across the county to support electric vehicle drivers.
Councillor Norman Webster, Cabinet Member for Community said:
"Clean air has so many benefits, both physical and mental, and we must do all we can to reduce pollution and protect the air that we breathe.
"Good air quality is something that's easy to take for granted but it's vitally important to our health and wellbeing. Many of our residents suffer from asthma and or respiratory complaints and pollution in the air really can make life uncomfortable.
"The air quality figures we have been presented with today are really encouraging and show positive trend towards improved air quality in our area. Currently around 80% of the nitrogen dioxide in our air comes from petrol and diesel vehicles so I'm hopeful that, as low carbon transport options like electric cars become more popular, we can build on this momentum in the future."
