Council Rejects Community Bid For Clair Hall Redevelopment

A community-led bid to buy or lease Clair Hall in Haywards Heath has been rejected by Mid Sussex District Council.

The proposal from Haywards Heath Community Interest Company was turned down at a cabinet meeting on Monday.

Instead, the council has agreed that an external cultural company will redevelop the site, including a four-screen cinema and a multi-use performance space.

Council leader Robert Eggleston said he was confident the decision was the right one for residents and the future of the town.

The venue has been closed since 2020, with the council previously warned that significant investment would be needed to bring it up to standard.

The site was listed as an Asset of Community Value last year, allowing community groups to submit bids.

The CIC proposed using the venue as a civic and cultural hub, supported by a £777,000 donation from a local benefactor, but the council said the proposal was not financially viable.

The council is also seeking a development partner to deliver housing on part of the site, while the community group says it is considering its next steps.