Next steps for Clair Hall’s future set to be discussed

Clair Hall Haywards Heath - Covid 19 vaccination centre. Pic Steve Robards SR2101123 SUS-211201-165818001

A 12-week consultation into the future of Clair Hall received more than 1,400 responses, Mid Sussex District Council has been told.

A report from Engage Communicate Facilitate (ECF) – the independent organisation which ran the consultation – said the preference among those who took part was for the site, in Haywards Heath, to be refurbished rather than redeveloped.

It added: “Strong views were expressed that the future site should be retained in its current use – as a multifunctional community centre and resource.”

The report will be presented to a meeting of the cabinet on Monday (December 20), where councillors will be recommended to ‘carefully consider’ its findings.

Laying out three options – invest in the site, do nothing, or close Clair Hall and/or the Redwood Centre – the report recommended investment.

If councillors agree, a reserve of £100,000 will be set up to pay for the feasibility work, with the money being transferred from the general reserve.

In the meantime, the cabinet has also been asked to authorise officers to extend the licence for the NHS to continue to use the hall as a vaccination centre.

It’s been an eventful couple of years for the Clair Hall.

Jonathan Ash-Edwards, leader of Mid Sussex District Council, said: “I would like to thank residents who have taken part in the consultation for sharing their views and aspirations for the Clair Hall site. It is clear that many residents have an appetite for change and modernisation.

“Subject to the cabinet’s approval when we consider the consultation on 20th December, it is our intention to provide modern, fit for purpose multi-functional community facilities on the Clair Hall site.

“In doing so, we must ensure we address and overcome the challenges the site faced prior to the pandemic. Again, subject to cabinet approval, we will be establishing a budget so we can engage independent specialist advisors to develop evidence-based options to provide these facilities and secure the site for our communities for years to come.”

The pandemic forced its closure in March 2020 and then the council announced that the closure would be permanent in September 2020.

It re-opened as a Covid vaccination site in December.