Haywards Heath’s Clair Hall listed as community asset

The venue, in Perrymount Road, was permanently closed in September – a decision which led to an outcry, with thousands signing a petition to save the venue.

Now the council will have to give the campaigners six months’ notice before attempting to sell the site, allowing them that time to come up with the money themselves.

Marion Wilcock, of the Haywards Heath Community Interest Company (CIC), said: “One of our main concerns was that the hall would be sold off to developers without any suitable alternative actually being provided, as has happened to The Martlets in Burgess Hill.

“It is really reassuring to have this protection.

“As the building is now listed, we would be given six months’ notice of any sale and the opportunity to raise funds to buy it for the community, so Clair Hall has a future.”

Lance Milton, principal of the Act Too Stage School, and part of the Save Clair Hall campaign, added: “We really welcome this decision because we have been inundated with offers of help and support.

“There are many community groups in the town and surrounding areas who would just love to be able to use Clair Hall.”

The CIC’s next goal is to re-open the hall for community use.

The group is also considering legal action against the council for it’s decision to close the hall in the first place.

A Letter Before Action has been sent citing an ‘unlawful failure to consult’, ‘irrationality’ and breaches of both the Children’s Act 2004 and the council’s public sector equality duty.

The council’s decision to close the hall centred around falling usage, running costs and the cost of maintaining and repairing the 50-year-old building.

There is also the potential to redevelop the site as part of the Haywards Heath Masterplan.

A consultation for the masterplan closes on Monday December 21 at 5pm.

John Belsey, cabinet member for environment and service delivery said: “The site has long held the potential for regeneration and we believe now is the right time to explore those options.”

He added: “The listing as an Asset of Community Value is a technical legal one, as the criteria in the Localism Act are met.

“The only practical consequence of this is that, if the building is ever put up for sale, the community group will be notified and have six months to make an offer to purchase the building.”

To take part in the masterplan consultation, log on to www.midsussex.gov.uk/planning-building/town-centre-masterplans