Broadfield, West Sussex

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 51.0959
longitude= -0.2068
official_name= Broadfield
population =
shire_district= Crawley
shire_county = West Sussex
region= South East England
constituency_westminster= Crawley
post_town= CRAWLEY
postcode_area= RH
postcode_district= RH11
dial_code= 01293
os_grid_reference= TQ255345

Broadfield is a neighbourhood within the town of Crawley in West Sussex, England. Broadfield is located in the south west of the town. It is bordered by Bewbush to the north, Southgate to the north east and Tilgate to the east.

Broadfield is divided into two local government wards (Broadfield North and Broadfield South).

Broadfield was built in several stages and is relatively densely populated. There is a mixture of property types, including private estates, housing association council houses and self-build.

Broadfield has one central shopping parade, the Barton, which is the largest neighbourhood parade in the town. Unlike many of the parades in the town, which are council run, the Barton is owned and managed by the shop-owners. There is a wide variety of shops, a library, a church (shared by Anglicans, Catholics and the Broadfield Fellowship), mosque and a large medical centre. There is also a community centre which is run as a charitable organisation overseen by trustees from the churches.

There are two infant/primary schools in the neighbourhood, an adventure playground, several open spaces with football pitches, and Broadfield Stadium, home to Crawley Town Football Club. In 2005 a purpose built Sure Start Children's Centre was opened on Creasys Drive providing support and facilities for families of under 5's. The Broadfield centre works closely with a similar establishment in Bewbush.

Next to the stadium is Broadfield Park which used to be part of the Tilgate Estate. Broadfield House was the hunting lodge for the estate, and the park contains a small lake and some woods.

To the south of Broadfield are the Buchan Country Park and part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at Pease Pottage. The latter is currently home to a Scout camp.

Broadfield is served by various bus services including the 24 hour Crawley Fastway bus service to Gatwick.

In the past, Broadfield has been notorious for a high level of crime and drug abuse.Fact|date=June 2007 In recent years however the suburb has dramatically changed and now has a positive image of which many residents are proud to be associated with.

External links

* [http://www.crawley.gov.uk/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=25 Crawley Borough Council's website]
* [http://www.apwj49.dsl.pipex.com/conference/crawley.htm Broadfield Stadium]
* [http://www.broadfield.cc/ Broadfield Community Centre]
* [http://www.crawleychurches.org/ctl/ Christ The Lord Church]
* [http://www.broadfield.org.uk Broadfield Christian Fellowship]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/2985593.stm]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/3340873.stm]