I don't have a problem...

I don't have a problem with the areas proposed for redevelopment - except Station Road of course as I live there and our house is not on the new map! However I am trying to be impartial here... What I do mind is the height of the proposed buildings.

If the proposal was to the same high standard AND HEIGHT as the current Waitrose building (2 story), I think most people would agree with the development plans. But Thornfields want 4 story properties which as they are commercial units means the equivalent of 5 residential stories. I just think it is inappropriate to have this for our market town.

I also think re-developing the station is a complete red herring. Yes, it has poor access for disabled, elderly and even fit people carring suit cases! But that can be solved by installing a couple of lifts as per Haywards Heath. There is no way Railtrack will develop that area without a significant return on their investment i.e. high rise, high density shops/flats around the town centre. So I don't think we should support that.

During the consultation period, a consultant from Thornfields stated Burgess Hill has huge problems with parking - but that is simply not true. Yes it does get crowded in front of Waitrose most days, but the multi story car park behind Lidel is hardly used as is the car park next to the station off Walstonbury Way.

Brian