Plans for a "five-star" housing scheme on a former bus station could rejuvenate derelict town centre land in Haywards Heath.

Wolanski and Co Trustees Ltd have been given the go-ahead by Mid Sussex District Council to build a complex of 65 en suite rooms, with a communal area and restaurant for elderly residents.

The site at the northern end of Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, by the station, has stood unused for more than 15 years.

Numerous applications have been put forward, including a three-storey office and a 30,000 sqft office building, but they have all been turned down until now.

The land is next door to a similarly derelict seven-acre site owned by Network Rail, which the council has been battling to develop for more than 20 years.

Councillors hope the green light for the project will signal to the rail authority the site's potential and kick start development.

In the last couple of months the prime plot has returned to the spotlight, becoming the subject of increasingly heated debates.

Recent suggestions have included a nightclub, bespoke offices for the council and even a new town centre, rekindling the controversy.

Councillors are frustrated there are still no firm plans despite a 20-year fight.

Part of the frustration is changing ownership.

Originally owned by British Rail, the site has changed hands from Railtrack to Network Rail in the last few years.

A small parcel of the land was then sold to Hammerson, which in turn has been passed on to Ballymore and its subsidiary company Domaine Developments.

Last week, council chief executive Bill Hatton met Network Rail bosses to discuss the options and said they hoped to put forward a scheme for consultation soon.

Councillor Terry Gillard, chairman of the central area planning committee, said: "This could be the key to rejuvenating the old site. We hope it'll kick start negotiations with Network Rail."

Haywards Heath Town Council initially objected to the scheme, which they felt was too close to noisy trains for sheltered accommodation.

However, Coun Gillard said: "I visited a similar scheme in Virginia Water. Because of the double glazing the elderly residents hardly heard any noise and they like looking down and watching all the activity.

"There will be individual rooms with baths and showers and a communal area and restaurant. It'll be a bit like a five-star hotel.

"Eventually we hope to have a little bit of everything, like shops and restaurants, on the station site."

Wednesday July 16, 2003