By Sarah Founds, Technical Director
In today’s fast-changing world, delivering places that are both future-ready and community-focused is no longer optional — it’s essential. That’s why the successful delivery of Phase One of the Place and Connectivity Programme (PCP) marks a defining moment for Burgess Hill and the wider Mid Sussex area and still stands out as one of my favourite projects.
Why? Because this isn’t just infrastructure — it’s transformation.
The PCP is a foundational part of the Burgess Hill Growth Programme, one of the largest and most ambitious development programmes in the South East. With over 14km of safe, direct, and inviting walking and cycling routes now in place, we worked alongside the team at Mid Sussex to unlock high-quality public spaces, making it easier for people to move around more sustainably — whether on foot, by bike, or using public transport.
But this programme goes far beyond new paths. It was about embedding the conditions for connected, inclusive, and low-carbon communities — setting the stage for 5,000 new homes, 5,000 new jobs, and a more resilient local economy.
Digital Foundations for a Digital Future
Alongside physical connectivity, the PCP also delivers the digital infrastructure our residents and businesses need to thrive. With a 90km regional full-fibre network and 25km of local connectivity within Burgess Hill, we’ve created the digital backbone that ensures our growing neighbourhoods are not just well-connected locally, but globally.
Whether it’s hybrid working, online learning, or the seamless delivery of public services, digital access is no longer a luxury — it’s a lifeline. With this infrastructure in place, we are future-proofing Mid Sussex for generations to come.
Partnership at the Core
None of this would have been possible without a powerful coalition of partners. Mid Sussex District Council, working closely with West Sussex County Council, Homes England, and the team at CJ Founds delivered strategic direction, collectively bringing together the insight, energy, and determination needed to deliver a project of this scale and complexity.
What’s more, this collaborative model is fast becoming a blueprint for how large-scale development should be done — with sustainability and social value embedded at every step.
Transformative Outcomes
This first phase of the PCP is already delivering measurable impact:
- £21.8 million in funding secured, including £10.9 million from the Coast to Capital Local Growth Fund
- 14km+ of walking and cycling routes, creating safer, more inviting spaces for active travel
- Sustainability-first delivery, using recycled materials and supporting local supply chains
- Social value delivered, including:
- 80% of programme spend reinvested in the local economy
- Engagement with over 400 school children
- Volunteer-led habitat creation and environmental education
The results speak for themselves. As one Mid Sussex Council representative noted:
“The PCP has removed access barriers and reconnected people with places — places that were once underused are now thriving, well-loved community assets.”
Looking Ahead
The delivery of Phase One is just the beginning. It represents a tangible commitment to building a sustainable, inclusive, and connected future — not only for Burgess Hill but for the entire South East. It shows what’s possible when ambition, expertise, and partnership come together with a clear sense of purpose.
As Technical Director, I’m proud to see how our vision is shaping reality. We’re not just laying roads and laying cables — we’re laying the foundation for a new kind of growth: one that places people, planet, and place at the heart of progress.
Let this be a model — and a call to action — for towns and cities across the UK. The future is connected, and it starts here.