Landmark opening for Burgess Hill’s integrated, sustainable new neighbourhood
After 15 years in the making, the first residents to make Burgess Hill's 20-minute neighbourhood their new home are due to move in this Spring.
Providing an update on their flagship development at the Northern Arc, part of the ambitious Burgess Hill Growth Programme, Graham Hyslop, Projects Director – South, Homes England said the project had already hit its first milestones with upfront major infrastructure and the first phase of new homes due for completion.
"As Homes England, we have been able to acquire land so we could work with Mid Sussex on a holistic approach to delivery," he said. "It has meant we could deliver 3,500 homes and associated infrastructure in one hit, ensuring the focus was on the place, in particular the green space, the interwoven network of connecting footpaths, cycle paths and bridleways to deliver that original vision. We will end up with three neighbourhoods all within five minutes walking distance and 10 minutes walking distance of the whole area."
Graham told delegates at the Real Estate Live conference that the eastern and western new road sections were approaching completion and that he was expecting funding to be in place shortly for work to start on the middle section.
He added that the first phase was progressing fast with Countryside Properties using modern methods of construction to speed up delivery. 50% of this phase is affordable housing and the first residents were due to take possession of their new homes in the Spring.
He added that Bellway Homes was in the planning stage for 250 new homes and 18.5ha of open space and that he was expecting to announce a development partner for the next phase (which will deliver 260 homes and 5 ha of open space) within months. Further sites earmarked for housing, neighbourhood centres, schools, and employment space would also shortly be marketed.
"This has been the most fantastic and interesting project to be involved in," said Graham. "All the planning, preparation, consultation, consideration and partnership working which has happened since 2006 has really paid off."
"I think the COVID pandemic has highlighted the need for developments such as this to be self-sustaining, and a need for society and communities to interact more than they did pre-COVID, working from home and enjoying the place they live in."
"As Homes England, we have been able to acquire land so we could work with Mid Sussex on a holistic approach to delivery," he said. "It has meant we could deliver 3,500 homes and associated infrastructure in one hit, ensuring the focus was on the place, in particular the green space, the interwoven network of connecting footpaths, cycle paths and bridleways to deliver that original vision. We will end up with three neighbourhoods all within five minutes walking distance and 10 minutes walking distance of the whole area."
Graham told delegates at the Real Estate Live conference that the eastern and western new road sections were approaching completion and that he was expecting funding to be in place shortly for work to start on the middle section.
He added that the first phase was progressing fast with Countryside Properties using modern methods of construction to speed up delivery. 50% of this phase is affordable housing and the first residents were due to take possession of their new homes in the Spring.
He added that Bellway Homes was in the planning stage for 250 new homes and 18.5ha of open space and that he was expecting to announce a development partner for the next phase (which will deliver 260 homes and 5 ha of open space) within months. Further sites earmarked for housing, neighbourhood centres, schools, and employment space would also shortly be marketed.
"This has been the most fantastic and interesting project to be involved in," said Graham. "All the planning, preparation, consultation, consideration and partnership working which has happened since 2006 has really paid off."
"I think the COVID pandemic has highlighted the need for developments such as this to be self-sustaining, and a need for society and communities to interact more than they did pre-COVID, working from home and enjoying the place they live in."
Past Events
THURSDAY 9 OCTOBER 2025 (10AM - 3PM) Beethoven Suite, The All England Jumping Course, Sayers Common, Hassocks, West Sussex BN6 9NS www.sussexbusinessconference.co.uk...
https://groevents.com/retail-autumn...
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/experience-sussex-visitor-economy-networking-event-tickets-1223305883829?aff=oddtdtcreator...
May 20th – 22nd 2025 Connecting people, places and businesses to accelerate and unlock sustainable, inclusive and transformational investment www.ukreiif.com...
Start Date/Time: November 20, 2024 9:00 am End Date/Time: November 20, 2024 5:00 pm Location:Hilton London Gatwick Airport, South Terminal, Horley, Gatwick RH6 0LL https://wlevents.org.uk/event/gatwick-summit-2024/...
We will be attending the Revo Village & Conference on Tuesday 24th September. Read more here: https://revocommunity.org/event/revo-conference-village/...