Company hopes to set up brewery and tap room in Burgess Hill: application sparks concern about parking

BNG Hub Limited has applied through its agent D&M Planning Ltd to change the use of Unit 5 at 55 Victoria Road from general industrial use (Class B2) to mixed use. This would consist of a brewery (Class B2), a taproom (sui generis) and an ancillary shop.

The proposal’s planning policy, design and access statement said the site was previously occupied by Fortes Bakery.

The statement said: “The business is being set up as a collaboration between an established local brewery, Bestens Brewery, alongside a new brewery, North Garden Brewery. The idea is to move the production of both breweries from their current site to the new location and provide a taproom for on license sales and shop for off license sales as well as merchandise etc.”

It added: “The taproom would help to provide a community asset by catering for modern demands. This is against the backdrop of declining traditional public houses. Unlike a traditional public house, the taproom would cater towards 25-55-year-old beer drinkers and be specifically associated with the two breweries. There is a growing group of people who are passionate about high quality, small batch produce leading to a disenfranchisement from the traditional pub.”

People can view the application at pa.midsussex.gov.uk/online-applications using the reference DM/23/2240

In photos – huge Christmas party for kids in Haywards Heath

The statement said the venture would provide employment for about ten people. It said the taproom would not prepare food on site but would aim to partner with local food trucks to sell their goods on the forecourt.