Observer column 3 July 2026

Cllr Julia Hilton, deputy leader of the council and lead councillor for Shaping Places, Regeneration and Community Wealth Building 

I wanted to use this column to provide updates on two sites that we know are concerning residents at the moment. 

The former convent site in Magdalen Road is privately owned but following a fire earlier this year and many reports of young people on the site and damage being caused, the council is treating protecting the site as a priority.  It is a tragedy that the various owners of this site over the past decades have allowed this site to deteriorate so badly despite its huge historic value and potential and we have been working hard behind the scenes to make sure the owner/receiver act on their responsibilities to properly secure their site. If this hasn’t happened by the end of this week we will progress our own fallback route to ensure a robust hoarding solution is put in place. Quotes have already been received for the work and installation is being pursued as fast as possible. 

The site remains unsafe, and residents should not enter or attempt to intervene directly. Any live incidents should be reported to Sussex Police.

Alongside work to secure the site, the council has had support from Historic England to create a masterplan/development brief that any development of the site would need to commit to and will form part of the emerging Local Plan that we have been consulting on this year. This includes a requirement for any development to preserve and restore the listed buildings on the site.  

It is good to finally see some progress on another site that has been blighting the entrance to George Street. 

Following pressure from the council and a meeting with the developer and contractors for 39 – 41 George Street, a programme of works has now started to improve the appearance and condition of the site. 

The graffiti on the upper wall has largely been covered, vegetation has been cut back, the side fencing has been stabilised, and contractors have begun installing the green membrane covering to the exposed walls. There has also been a significant clean-up of the site. 

Further works are still to follow, including additional screening to the side fencing, repairs to guttering over the footpath, completion of remaining paintwork around the old fire escape opening, and the installation of new gates and information boards. The gates will take a little longer as they need to be made to fit the site.  If the developers stick to their commitments actual work to develop the site should start by the Autumn. 

I share the frustration of residents at how long it seems to take to get owners and developers of important sites across our town to act on their responsibilities and commitments. However we must ensure all our actions as a council comply with the laws around planning enforcement which never seems to be a very fast process.