A TOWN is set for a £65 million redevelopment and plans were given the green light.

Burgess Hill is set for a new shopping centre, ten screen cinema, 63-bed Travelodge hotel, 142 homes along with new restaurants, a library and a gym.

It comes after Mid Sussex District Council’s (MSDC) planning committee approved plans for the redevelopment of the Martlets Shopping Centre.

NewRiver Retail is behind the multimillion pound scheme.

It includes an extra 50,000 square feet of retail space, which will take the centre to a total of 200,000 square feet.

Councillor Garry Wall, leader of MSDC, said: “Revitalising the Martlets Shopping Centre is a major boost for Burgess Hill.

“Local people deserve a town centre that has the shops and restaurants that they want to visit.

"This development will mean there is more for families and people to do in the evenings, making Burgess Hill a great place to shop, relax and spend free time.

“As more people are attracted to the town, existing local businesses will benefit from the increased footfall and this economic boost has the potential to bring a real feel-good factor to the town.”

Work is due to start later this year and is set to be finished by 2019.

The overhanging canopy of the centre will be demolished at the western part of the site for the construction of the new Travelodge.

The final phase will be the demolition of the Martlets Heights office building. A 34,000 square foot Cineworld cinema with 60,000 square foot worth of retail units will be built in its place.

Allan Lockhart, property director, at NewRiver, said: “We are delighted to receive the unanimous support of the council, marking an important milestone for the creation of a new and vibrant Burgess Hill after several years hard work by our development team.

"Our proposed plans will transform Burgess Hill Town Centre, providing greater choice for local residents, better prospects for existing businesses and around 500 new employment opportunities.

“As a long-term investor in Burgess Hill, we are looking forward to continuing our work with the Council and local stakeholders and delivering this exciting development to revitalise Burgess Hill.”