URL: https://horsham.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=776

Decision Maker: Cabinet, Council

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED   i)               That the construction of a community facility to include a hall, changing rooms, toilets and a car park at Highwood (‘the Highwood Community Facility’) be approved;   ii)              That authority to the Director of Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Property be delegated, to approve the final designs for the Highwood Community Facility;   iii)             That the award of any contracts required to give effect to the construction of the Highwood Community Facility be approved; and   iv)             That authority to the Director of Place in consultation with the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be delegated, to finalise the terms and conditions of, and to approve the entering into of, any contracts or other documentation required to give effect to the construction of the Highwood Community Facility or matters ancillary thereto.   RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL   v)              To approve a capital budget of £2.6m for the 2026/27 financial year for the construction of the Highwood Community Facility.   REASONS   i)               To provide community facilities in accordance with the Land West of Horsham Masterplan 2008 and in alignment with the 2025 feedback from the community consultation.   ii)              Council must approve a capital budget.     ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED AS IDENTIFIED IN THE REPORT   In 2022, there was intention to have a facility for a nursery. This would have provided a commercial income and presence on site but was not viable due to general escalation of material costs across the sector impacting the business model of the nursery provider.   The previous decision around the provision of a community hall on the site was taken in the context of the planned loss of the Drill Hall. That facility is now remaining, and the Drill Hall will receive significant investment which will make it a desirable hall that is available for community use. Furthermore, the Blackbridge Community Centre has capacity for further community use. There is a community meeting room at the Highwood fire station and there are community halls with capacity at Broadbridge Heath and North Horsham. There are 24 other halls available for hire within Horsham town providing over 3,900 spaces.   The previous view of officers was that it would be appropriate to provide the changing rooms, toilets and car parking only at the cost of £1.9m. However, in light of the consultation response and the costs of construction, the officer view is that it is appropriate to build a facility that includes a community hall, noting the view of the Chief Financial Officer in the resource consequences section of this report. Not providing a hall has been rejected on the grounds that Councillors hope the investment of a small hall in Highwood will help build the sense of community in this development.   Providing a much larger hall as part of the facility is not supported by Councillors on the grounds of excessive cost and desirability by the local community.

Date of Decision: September 17, 2025