NEWS RELEASES
New community uses at TA Centre site
3rd March 2006
WHEN the former TA Centre in Horsham's Denne Road became redundant for military purposes some five years ago, the Council had to make some quick decisions.
The land there might have been swallowed up for private housing, however we were able to persuade the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to sell us a large portion of the site on the understanding that we would use it for the benefit of the wider community. That pledge is now becoming a reality and we can look forward to some major steps being taken soon.
Many people will recall that the Drill Hall complex provided a very useful stop gap whilst The Capitol was being refurbished and that the Quebec Building provided a temporary home for the town's largest GP surgery whilst its new premises were being built at Park Surgery. We also provided temporary parking there for season tickets holders whilst work took place on the new Forum, Blackhorse Way car park.
Now that those ventures are complete we have begun to move ahead with a programme of beneficial changes. The first of these is the recent completion of a 21 unit centre to provide temporary accommodation for homeless people, replacing the long serving Bedford Road hostel. This enables housing officers more flexibility in avoiding having to place people in bed and breakfast accommodation whilst they work to find them more permanent homes.
Next will be demolition of the Quebec Building (the former ROC offices) to enable the County Council to build a new 80 bed care home with communal lounges, gardens and central courtyard as well as up to date rooms with better facilities for residents. This will replace existing homes at Bryce Lodge and in Blackbridge Lane, hopefully to be ready by October, 2007.
At the same time another large part of the site will see the development of a Voluntary Services Centre which will include a brand new day centre to be run by Horsham District Age Concern as a replacement to the existing David Bryce Club. This will include special rooms for computer tuition, hairdressing, laundry, lounge, dining room and offices.
Part of the centre will provide offices and meeting room for a variety of local voluntary groups, bringing together different expertise under a single roof under the management of Horsham Area Council for Voluntary Services. A very exciting innovation.
The Horsham District Live Music Alliance will continue to have use of the former Quarter Master's Stores as a recording studio and rehearsal space, the Air Training Corps and Army Cadets will continue to meet there in premises still owned by the MOD, whilst pedestrian and vehicle access to the site will be much improved. We also have an ongoing programme of improvements planned for the Drill Hall complex so that these versatile buildings can continue to be used for a variety of public and private events.
Praise is due to all those concerned in enabling us to see these notable achievements become reality.
Ends
Councillor Jean Burnham, The Chairman, Horsham District Council, Park North, North Street, Horsham, RH12 1RL.
Email: contactchairman@horsham.gov.uk