Keeping the Burgess Hill Growth Programme inclusive

Representing more than £1bn of investment and delivering over 5,000 homes and 15,000 jobs, Mid Sussex's pioneering Burgess Hill Growth Programme which includes Homes England's flagship development at the Northern Arc, will provide new schools, neighbourhood centres and employment space, as well as embedding transformational infrastructure from sustainable travel to gigabit fibre digital connectivity.

The Burgess Hill Growth Programme grew out of a community visioning exercise and Sally Blomfield Mid Sussex's Divisional Leader of Planning and Economy, told delegates at the recent Real Estate Live conference that Mid Sussex had focused on ensuring it was delivering for its current residents as well as i future ones, from the multi-million-pound major infrastructure schemes to the smaller community infrastructure projects.

The network of green walking and travel corridors as well as much of the major infrastructure had been designed in collaboration with local community groups and highways experts to ensure it was as accessible as possible, and the district authority is also in negotiations with Network Rail about upgrades to the town's two main stations to make them more accessible.

Sally Blomfield said: "The programme isn't just about the big-ticket items, it's about the soft community infrastructure too, new playgrounds, new community facilities and enhancing the green circle, the network of open space which surrounds Burgess Hill. There are benefits for all, including the replacement library in the heart of the town centre which has become one of the most popular libraries in the whole of the county."

Chris Founds Director, CJ Founds Associates, discussed the social value embedded in the scheme, including its apprenticeship programme, working with local schools in particular on STEM activity and legacy awards around tech and sustainability.

"There has been a lot of work around inclusivity on the digital side too, working with social enterprises and the voluntary community, funding digital champions to deliver training for elderly residents and those who haven't had access to digital kit," he said.