Asbestos found during Burgess Hill demolition works

The library was part of the Martlets Hall complex, most of which was demolished last year at almost twice the planned cost after asbestos was found deep within the structure.

The library was still in use when the rest of the hall was taken down but, with a new home found just up the road, the building will soon meet the same fate to make way for the planned redevelopment of the town centre.

The former library building is set to be demolished in late summer and early autumn 2020, the district council has confirmed.

The site on which the former library sits is due to be redeveloped as part of NewRiver’s proposed regeneration scheme for the town centre but, as the landowner, the responsibility for demolition rests with the district council.

Unwilling to fork out for any more unpleasant surprises, the council will order an extensive intrusive asbestos survey to be carried out before committing to a budget for the project.

At a meeting of the cabinet on Monday (July 6), deputy leader Judy Llewellyn-Burke had a few words of warning.

Mrs Llewellyn-Burke told the meeting there was no guarantee asbestos would not be found at a later stage, despite the initial survey.

If it was, the council would have to identify it and follow all the regulations to keep people safe.

She added: “If this happens, this will cause delays and increase the cost.

“But this is a demolition project in the centre of the town of Burgess Hill and it is of paramount importance that the health and safety of people working within the site – and those people working and living in the immediate vicinity – is safeguarded.”

While no names were given, the meeting was told that an ‘international firm of repute’ would be overseeing the contract, and a full report, including costs, would be presented to the cabinet once the asbestos survey had been carried out.

Stephen Hillier, cabinet member for economic growth, asked for assurances that both the library site and the Martlets Hall site would be cleared of rubble, describing the latter as being ‘a bit of an eyesore’.

Mr Hillier also raised the idea of finding temporary uses for the site before the redevelopment work started.

He was told that the contract would specify that both the library and Martlets Hall sites be ‘restored to almost a pavement condition’ and temporary uses for them could be explored.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.