Multi-million pound investment in Midhurst

Chichester District Council, West Sussex Council and the Grange Centre Trustees are currently working towards providing Midhurst with a multi-million pound centre, that will offer community, leisure, sports and arts activities under one roof. It is hoped that this major investment in the North of Chichester District will act as a one stop shop, making it easier for local residents to access services.

Who is involved in the project?

Chichester District Council is working in partnership with West Sussex County Council. Chichester District Council is the main provider of the project, delivering the community leisure facilities, and West Sussex County Council hopes to include day care and library services within the build. Both councils are also working closely with Midhurst Town Council, the Trustees of the current Grange Centre, and local residents.

Why are you replacing the current Grange Centre?

Over the past couple of years the District Council has carried out an assessment of the leisure needs of the local community; the future sustainability of the Centre. This led to the decision that it would be best to replace the existing building with a brand new facility that could potentially accommodate a number of services - including the possibility of including the day care centre and library services - in addition to first-class community, sport, leisure and art facilities.

The proposals were put forward to local people and the feedback received was extremely positive, with the majority of people stating that they felt the layout of the Grange site was good or very good. It was also felt that the building would make services far more accessible to those with disabilities.

What stage is the project at?

Chichester District Council is currently working with its partners to create a design brief for the Centre. The Council will shortly go out to tender to appoint an architect and design team to produce plans for the new building.

What can we expect to see within the new building?

The Council is currently carrying out an audit of all local facilities that provide space or activities. In order to maximise use of the new centre, we want to complement what currently exists, rather than take vital business away from important community facilities, such as village halls.

We also want to ensure that there are a variety of activities and facilities for people in the North of the district, and so it is important that we aren't replicating what already exists. The main aim of the build is that it will be multi-purpose, enabling the community to use its for a variety of different activities and functions.

The Council is also looking at the option of moving its Area Office, which is currently located on North Street, into the new Grange Centre in order order to create a community hub. This would enable people to access a whole variety of counil services in one place.

There would be a number of benefits of moving the Area Office into the new Grange Centre. Firstly, extended opening times could be offered, in the evenings and weekends. Secondly, the Grange Centre is located between the centre of Midhurst and the large Holmbush estate, making it easier for the majority of residents to reach it. If this didn't happen, the Area Office would complement the community leisure facilities planned for the Centre.

Residents are being asked for their views on this proposal. If you would like to have your say, please contact the Grange, West Sussex County Council or Chichester District Council. The County Council is also looking at the feasibility of incorporating library and day centre services within the Centre.

The new facility will also include a new café-bar area, where soft-, hot- and alcoholic drinks will be on offer.

Further information will be published once the facilities audit, site investigations and design brief have been completed.

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