Station revamp set to go ahead at last (From The Argus)

Station revamp set to go ahead at last

8:50am Friday 8th February 2013 in News

The final obstacle to the multi-million-pound redevelopment of Haywards Heath railway station has been cleared.

After more than 20 years of waiting and false starts, planners at Mid Sussex District Council approved the scheme last month.

The local authority has now been informed that Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Local Government, will not “call in” in the decision.

This means the council can formally issue planning approval for the scheme.

The project is being promoted by Solum Regeneration with Southern Rail and Waitrose supermarket.

The land off Market Place would be used for a new 4,122 sq m Waitrose supermarket and 754 sq m of retail and restaurant space.

A new multi-storey car park for the station, parking spaces for the supermarket and refurbished station buildings will also be provided.

Constulation

A public consultation in May 2012 had more than 1,100 responses, with 94 per cent of those saying they supported the plans.

At the council’s planning meeting last month, where a majority of councillors approved the scheme, planning officer Steve Ashdown said: “It is commercially viable and would re-liven and revitalise this part of the town.”

John Robinson, Solum Regeneration senior development manager, said: “The redevelopment of the area around station is long overdue.

“We are delighted that the council has approved the scheme.”

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