I got an interesting perspective from my brother who is a planner in Hampshire and his view is that Lewes have no alternative if they are to appease the electorate in marginal areas such as the villages as well as the environmentalist non football fans within the town. If the Tories were in Lewes it would be the same.
The challenge is likely to be centred around using the regeneration of Moulsecombe as the reason behind allowing a community stadium to be developed in an AONB. The challenge will be within 6 months, probably cost £60k (which Lewes can justify for the above reasons). It will fail and they know this but Lewes will have been seen to attempt to challenge a Labour decision which they believe is political and about self preservation in marginal Brighton and Hove.
Of course, everybody knows that Falmer has wealthy residents/old families who will push Lewes to act to protect their property values and that is all it is about of course (you could apply this to other villages in Lewes DC). A cynic (not me) could say it is nothing about regeneration of Moulsecombe either but all about keeping football fans happy in the city who are likely labour supporters or future ones.
Ironic, isn't it, that once the stadium is built and established, Falmer residents will be able to sell up at good prices to Albion players and "new money" that want to live close to a football stadium whilst living away from the bustle of Brighton and Hove.
What does everyone think (I am still awaiting a FOI Act reply from Lewes about costs to mount the challenge).
The challenge is likely to be centred around using the regeneration of Moulsecombe as the reason behind allowing a community stadium to be developed in an AONB. The challenge will be within 6 months, probably cost £60k (which Lewes can justify for the above reasons). It will fail and they know this but Lewes will have been seen to attempt to challenge a Labour decision which they believe is political and about self preservation in marginal Brighton and Hove.
Of course, everybody knows that Falmer has wealthy residents/old families who will push Lewes to act to protect their property values and that is all it is about of course (you could apply this to other villages in Lewes DC). A cynic (not me) could say it is nothing about regeneration of Moulsecombe either but all about keeping football fans happy in the city who are likely labour supporters or future ones.
Ironic, isn't it, that once the stadium is built and established, Falmer residents will be able to sell up at good prices to Albion players and "new money" that want to live close to a football stadium whilst living away from the bustle of Brighton and Hove.
What does everyone think (I am still awaiting a FOI Act reply from Lewes about costs to mount the challenge).