You may have heard of a consultation document about proposals for the future of Mid Sussex Special Schools. Although this document is about the merger of the two current schools it also mentions the possibility of the redevelopment of a new Special School on the Oakmeeds campus.

Clearly this raises a number of questions that are of concern to local residents. I have made a number of enquires and am dropping you this line to let you know what I have found out.

The idea is to look for a new location for Newick House (Burgess Hill) and Court Meadow (Cuckfield) to come together in a new purpose built facility. Both are Special Needs schools, which teach the most vulnerable children with disabilities in our community. The existing buildings that house these schools are rapidly becoming dilapidated and not a good environment for our children to learn in. For many years West Sussex has been trying to find the money to build a new Special School in Mid Sussex. The money is now available to build the first phase of this project. Hence the consultation about the possibility of merging.

I would like to assure you that no decisions have as yet been taken on the way forward. If the proposal to develop on Oakmeeds Campus were to go forward then the normal planning arrangements for a new school would be followed. I have already made County Council Officers and the Cabinet member aware of our concerns regarding the road system and access to the Oakmeeds Campus.

I have asked Council Officers to arrange a consultation meeting for local residents during the next few weeks and they have agreed to do so. At this meeting members of the project team will explain the possibilities for the location of the new Special School on the Oakmeeds campus. You will have the opportunity to explain to them your views and how any proposed development might affect you.

The County Council Officers have assured me that they will write to you with details at least 2 weeks before the meeting.

With best regards