Council set to agree independent report on future for Horsham’s community facilities

At a Horsham District Council Cabinet Meeting on 30 January 2020 the Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture Cllr Jonathan Chowen will provide residents with reassurance about current proposals regarding the potential redevelopment of the Drill Hall site and the ongoing provision of community facilities in the town centre.

He will announce that an independent report to assess current and future provision of community facilities for Horsham town and the wider district will be commissioned and made public.

The Council will also confirm that any proposal for the Drill Hall will build in a full two years for further ongoing engagement with all interested parties, and the current activities of the Drill Hall will continue unchanged during this period. This will give time for the independent report to be produced and to allow other sustainable and financially viable options to come forward for discussion and assessment.

Cllr Jonathan Chowen commented:

“I want to reassure people that we are at a stage where we are open to any viable and realistic suggestions for the Drill Hall that take into account its shortcomings, and that it will continue in operation for two years to give adequate time for this to happen.

I am particularly pleased that we will also be developing an independent report to guide and inform us about what community facilities will be needed in the town centre going forward.

Cllr Jonathan Chowen

At the meeting councillors will be looking at a Cabinet Report which identifies that the Drill Hall is currently underused and has a very poor energy rating which is inconsistent with the Council’s requirement to reduce its carbon footprint.

The cost to bring the facility in line with modern standards would be some £1million and it is currently costing the tax payer £45,000 a year to keep it running.

For media queries please email press@horsham.gov.uk .