Massive Vote for Yes in Haywards Heath Referendum !!

1.26.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 20th Jun 2008

Some Jubilant Referendum activists break open the Champagne for an Impromptu celebration in the Town Hall as result is announced.

• Massive Victory for Rethink of Town Centre Plans; * Council's Plans for Haywards Heath in Disarray after Massive show of discontent!

The magnificent turn out for a single issue referendum by the people of Haywards Heath speaks volumes regarding their discontent with the plans of Mid Sussex District Council and its developer partner Thornfield. Almost 95% of those voting rejected the proposals that have been tabled and demanded proper consultation and a more transparent and accountable plan for the future of the town.

4289 people voted in the referendum with 4053 supporting the demand for a rethink and proper consultation and only 235, under 5% in favour of the Council's proposals.

The motion said: "Should Mid Sussex District Council immediately put on hold Haywards Heath Master Plan proposals for the redevelopment of the Station Quarter (including Clair Hall) and the Oaklands site until such time as full, accurate and transparent information relating to these proposals is in the public domain and the townspeople of Haywards Heath have indicated their unequivocal approval for the developments to proceed as proposed?"

Cllr Brian Hall who campaigned strongly for a yes vote said, this is a massive condemnation of the ruling group's policy and the cabinet will ignore the people's voice at its peril.

Cllr Hall said "the Council spent well over £4000 of public money in putting its case to the electorate and it was found seriously wanting. The way the council sought to influence the poll used partial truth and did not reveal the true proposals which have significantly reduced in scope from the "Landowner brief" which supported significant beneficial proposals including among other things a cinema and significant levels of social housing.

Cllr Hall continued, "only recently has this secretive Landowner Brief been published. The document showed the positive benefits originally considered important have been eroded to virtually nothing of benefit to the existing community. Cllr Hall added: "The ruling group must think again and stop neglecting the interests of Haywards Heath. The community has spoken strongly. The plans on offer would create traffic chaos and a massive diminution of public well-being. Clair Hall is threatened with closure for at least 29 months and in one seriously considered scenario would be closed for good. Cllr Hall continued, the ball is now back in the council's court. We need real improvements to the station and without paying a huge cost to the public.

Local activist Paul Lucraft said: "Although we were working for a re-think and further consultation everyone really wants to see positive changes in Haywards Heath and we avoided negative campaigning. Our role has been seen, understood and supported by a lot of people across the community.

Mr Lucraft added: The result was fantastic: 4053 YES votes, 235 No votes on a 21.8% turnout, A 94.6% YES vote... Given no postal / proxy votes and only 5 hours for the poll in reduced polling stations these are very good figures. Over 20% of the Haywards Heath electors voted YES. The buzz and the response to our tellers was very positive and we have won a famous victory"!