Inquiry Day 22 Friday April 15
So there we all were at 9.30am ready to hear the concluding submission on behalf of the Regency Society of Brighton and Hove. Problem was, no Miss Hazel McKay to present the submission. Inspector not best pleased. They had been trying to contact her but only got an answer phone.
Never mind, the redoubtable Miss McPherson for the City Council popped up with some housekeeping matters. Would The Inspector ensure that she had time to take into account points raised by the Opposition before she gave her closing submission? Could she at least see a copy of their speeches on say the 4th May, Miss McPherson and Mr Clay being due to give theirs on the 5th? Otherwise there may have to be an adjournment to allow such time. The Inspector wishing to be even handed thought that was OK as long as every one exchanged their notes. Our Mr Clay was not happy with that. Apparently, it is the Procedure in planning appeals that the applicants (i.e. us and the City Council) do have the last word and the opportunity to take into account what the opponents have put forward in their submissions. So the Inspector wisely said he would think things over as he was anxious that no further adjournment happened.
By this time it was nearing 10 o’clock and in flounces the Hazel McKay saying she thought it all started at 10 but had been trying to check with Inspector’s Office but there was no reply. Inspector was not a happy bunny again.
At last we were ready for the main item of business. Miss McKay read out her submission taking about 30 minutes. During this there were frequent back stage whispers of “rubbish” or such similar words from the ranks of the Albion supporters. One even had to leave as he could not take it. You know who you are, Sir! Also I noted frequent shaking of heads and or laughter from Martin Perry, Jonathan Clay and at times, the City Council backroom team appeared to be desperately trying not to laugh out loud.
So, what did she say I hear you ask? Well, I do not want to steal the thunder of Lord B or Shoreham Gull or tonight’s Argus but in essence it was the same old stuff.
a)Falmer is a beautiful Village (“fine example of a traditional Sussex Village”)
b)A Stadium at Falmer would despoil an area of outstanding natural beauty
c)2 alternative sites are far more suitable. Sheepcote Valley and Shoreham Harbour
d)Withdean is the fall back with 14,000 seats
e)Costs should not be the driving force for this planning decision
f)The survival of the club is not assured. If a new stadium was built what would happen if the club folded or “fall out of the league” The Albion was likened to MG Rover!
g)The club’s claim that Falmer is best for sustainable transport is wrong. Particularly at fault is the concept of running special football trains from Brighton Station to Falmer. No one will use them as no football supporter is going to get off a bus at Churchill Square and walk up Queen’s Road. (This from the lady who previously said we would all be happy to walk from Sackville Road to Sheepcote Valley!)
h)The City Council is a disgrace
i)“Tough Love” is required to deliver sustainable development.
(No, I dont know either.)
There it is then. 3 lady supporters behind me nearly had to be restrained from rushing up and giving Hazel a good old slap! “What Lark’s” as Joe Gargery from Great Expectations would say.
The Inspector reminded us that we meet again on 4 and 5 of May at the Brighton Centre at 10.am and that was it. Let out school early on a Friday. Cannot be bad.
One final note which I hope I do not learn to regret. This Inspector has been most diligent, patient and fair with all who have presented cases at the Inquiry. We know he has visited all the sites and walked various routes to the suggested locations. How he sees things who knows. But I cannot fault the manner in which he managed the hearings.
That’s it until May folks
So there we all were at 9.30am ready to hear the concluding submission on behalf of the Regency Society of Brighton and Hove. Problem was, no Miss Hazel McKay to present the submission. Inspector not best pleased. They had been trying to contact her but only got an answer phone.
Never mind, the redoubtable Miss McPherson for the City Council popped up with some housekeeping matters. Would The Inspector ensure that she had time to take into account points raised by the Opposition before she gave her closing submission? Could she at least see a copy of their speeches on say the 4th May, Miss McPherson and Mr Clay being due to give theirs on the 5th? Otherwise there may have to be an adjournment to allow such time. The Inspector wishing to be even handed thought that was OK as long as every one exchanged their notes. Our Mr Clay was not happy with that. Apparently, it is the Procedure in planning appeals that the applicants (i.e. us and the City Council) do have the last word and the opportunity to take into account what the opponents have put forward in their submissions. So the Inspector wisely said he would think things over as he was anxious that no further adjournment happened.
By this time it was nearing 10 o’clock and in flounces the Hazel McKay saying she thought it all started at 10 but had been trying to check with Inspector’s Office but there was no reply. Inspector was not a happy bunny again.
At last we were ready for the main item of business. Miss McKay read out her submission taking about 30 minutes. During this there were frequent back stage whispers of “rubbish” or such similar words from the ranks of the Albion supporters. One even had to leave as he could not take it. You know who you are, Sir! Also I noted frequent shaking of heads and or laughter from Martin Perry, Jonathan Clay and at times, the City Council backroom team appeared to be desperately trying not to laugh out loud.
So, what did she say I hear you ask? Well, I do not want to steal the thunder of Lord B or Shoreham Gull or tonight’s Argus but in essence it was the same old stuff.
a)Falmer is a beautiful Village (“fine example of a traditional Sussex Village”)
b)A Stadium at Falmer would despoil an area of outstanding natural beauty
c)2 alternative sites are far more suitable. Sheepcote Valley and Shoreham Harbour
d)Withdean is the fall back with 14,000 seats
e)Costs should not be the driving force for this planning decision
f)The survival of the club is not assured. If a new stadium was built what would happen if the club folded or “fall out of the league” The Albion was likened to MG Rover!
g)The club’s claim that Falmer is best for sustainable transport is wrong. Particularly at fault is the concept of running special football trains from Brighton Station to Falmer. No one will use them as no football supporter is going to get off a bus at Churchill Square and walk up Queen’s Road. (This from the lady who previously said we would all be happy to walk from Sackville Road to Sheepcote Valley!)
h)The City Council is a disgrace
i)“Tough Love” is required to deliver sustainable development.
(No, I dont know either.)
There it is then. 3 lady supporters behind me nearly had to be restrained from rushing up and giving Hazel a good old slap! “What Lark’s” as Joe Gargery from Great Expectations would say.
The Inspector reminded us that we meet again on 4 and 5 of May at the Brighton Centre at 10.am and that was it. Let out school early on a Friday. Cannot be bad.
One final note which I hope I do not learn to regret. This Inspector has been most diligent, patient and fair with all who have presented cases at the Inquiry. We know he has visited all the sites and walked various routes to the suggested locations. How he sees things who knows. But I cannot fault the manner in which he managed the hearings.
That’s it until May folks
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Shoreham Harbour 
