ëObsession' with blocking Falmer
by Andy Dickenson
LEWES District Council was today facing mounting pressure to drop its campaign to derail Brighton and Hove Albion's plans for a new stadium.
Voters have complained that the council is neglecting issues of importance to everyone in Lewes to pursue its "obsession" with blocking Falmer.
They have called on Albion fans to march to its offices in Lewes in protest.
The council has announced it is asking for a judicial review on Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's decision to allow Albion to build a 22,000-capacity stadium at Falmer.
The battle could cost the council hundreds of thousands of pounds if it loses and has to pay costs.
Residents believe the money should be spent instead on fighting unpopular planning decisions.
Last month a Government inspector ruled against the council in its battle to stop developers pulling down houses in Sandringham Close, Seaford, but the authority is not appealing that ruling.
Martyn Waller, of the North East Seaford Action Committee, said: "The council's eyes are only on one ball. They've got an infatuation with Falmer that is harming Lewes residents.
"Our public inquiry was floored so we feel our rights have been violated and the council should be fighting our case in the High Court. To be honest, no-one knows why they are fighting Falmer because they've made their decision behind closed doors.
"I'd suggest Brighton supporters march through Lewes and demonstrate outside the councillors' offices. See what they think of that."
Mr Waller's neighbour's home is to be knocked down to make way for a new road and 49 new houses and apartments.
Councillors had refused planning permission but a Government inspector upheld an appeal by the developer, Bloor Homes.
Mr Waller said: "We can't seem to activate the council to do anything and then they seem quite happy to throw what will probably be half a million pounds down the drain over Falmer.
"Where was the referendum giving the people in Lewes the chance to say they'd like the stadium in Falmer? I think most of them would agree its a good idea and could bring a lot to the area.
"If you stand in the field where they are going to develop there's already all those buildings around it. It doesn't strike me as an area of outstanding natural beauty and the stadium is a great way of making use of it.
"The straw that broke the camel's back is that they now want to put our council tax up by 10 per cent. If they are going to take away my peaceful and tranquil home and spend their money fighting Falmer, I don't want to pay it.
"Personally, I think the stadium should be in Falmer and I've got every sympathy with the football club. It's tremendous what they've achieved to get into the Championship and we should be backing them up, not chopping their legs out from under them."
A spokeswoman for the council said an appeal could only be challenged on legal grounds and it didn't believe such grounds existed for the Seaford decision.
The council is presenting a wall of silence when asked about its Falmer appeal. Councillors have repeatedly refused to answer questions The Argus has put to them on the council's High Court legal challenge that could cost more than £100,000 of taxpayers' money.
Council leader Ann De Vecchi has said she will not speak on the matter until Friday, despite the strength of feeling of Albion supporters waiting to hear her side of the story.
Cabinet members remain tight-lipped with few daring to speak out and many more ignoring phone calls from Argus reporters.
The council has already spent £207,000 in its fight against the Albion's proposed stadium, and many Seagulls fans who live in Lewes are understandably anxious. The Argus requested a face-to-face interview with Coun De Vecchi but has had no reply.
by Andy Dickenson
LEWES District Council was today facing mounting pressure to drop its campaign to derail Brighton and Hove Albion's plans for a new stadium.
Voters have complained that the council is neglecting issues of importance to everyone in Lewes to pursue its "obsession" with blocking Falmer.
They have called on Albion fans to march to its offices in Lewes in protest.
The council has announced it is asking for a judicial review on Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's decision to allow Albion to build a 22,000-capacity stadium at Falmer.
The battle could cost the council hundreds of thousands of pounds if it loses and has to pay costs.
Residents believe the money should be spent instead on fighting unpopular planning decisions.
Last month a Government inspector ruled against the council in its battle to stop developers pulling down houses in Sandringham Close, Seaford, but the authority is not appealing that ruling.
Martyn Waller, of the North East Seaford Action Committee, said: "The council's eyes are only on one ball. They've got an infatuation with Falmer that is harming Lewes residents.
"Our public inquiry was floored so we feel our rights have been violated and the council should be fighting our case in the High Court. To be honest, no-one knows why they are fighting Falmer because they've made their decision behind closed doors.
"I'd suggest Brighton supporters march through Lewes and demonstrate outside the councillors' offices. See what they think of that."
Mr Waller's neighbour's home is to be knocked down to make way for a new road and 49 new houses and apartments.
Councillors had refused planning permission but a Government inspector upheld an appeal by the developer, Bloor Homes.
Mr Waller said: "We can't seem to activate the council to do anything and then they seem quite happy to throw what will probably be half a million pounds down the drain over Falmer.
"Where was the referendum giving the people in Lewes the chance to say they'd like the stadium in Falmer? I think most of them would agree its a good idea and could bring a lot to the area.
"If you stand in the field where they are going to develop there's already all those buildings around it. It doesn't strike me as an area of outstanding natural beauty and the stadium is a great way of making use of it.
"The straw that broke the camel's back is that they now want to put our council tax up by 10 per cent. If they are going to take away my peaceful and tranquil home and spend their money fighting Falmer, I don't want to pay it.
"Personally, I think the stadium should be in Falmer and I've got every sympathy with the football club. It's tremendous what they've achieved to get into the Championship and we should be backing them up, not chopping their legs out from under them."
A spokeswoman for the council said an appeal could only be challenged on legal grounds and it didn't believe such grounds existed for the Seaford decision.
The council is presenting a wall of silence when asked about its Falmer appeal. Councillors have repeatedly refused to answer questions The Argus has put to them on the council's High Court legal challenge that could cost more than £100,000 of taxpayers' money.
Council leader Ann De Vecchi has said she will not speak on the matter until Friday, despite the strength of feeling of Albion supporters waiting to hear her side of the story.
Cabinet members remain tight-lipped with few daring to speak out and many more ignoring phone calls from Argus reporters.
The council has already spent £207,000 in its fight against the Albion's proposed stadium, and many Seagulls fans who live in Lewes are understandably anxious. The Argus requested a face-to-face interview with Coun De Vecchi but has had no reply.
