Mendoza
NSC's Most Stalked
South Downs Society have decided they will NOT appeal.
Society Announces its Decision on Falmer Stadium
The South Downs Society today (15 August 2007) announced that it will not further challenge the government’s decision to allow the 22,000-seater stadium to be built in the South Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at Falmer.
John Songhurst, Chairman of the South Downs Society, said: "We have fought long and hard to protect this irreplaceable corner of our beautiful South Downs. It is clear that the government is determined to ride roughshod over its own policies on protecting the countryside, in order to allow this huge concrete carbuncle to be built on virgin Downland."
The Secretary of State, in her decision letter, admitted that the stadium would cause substantial harm to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, that it would cause damage to the character and appearance of an attractive stretch of landscape and would be seen from a wide range of viewpoints.
The Society appeared at the inquiry into the planning applications, at which two Inspectors agreed with the opposers of the scheme and found against the proposal. Later, after John Prescott had granted planning permission for the proposed stadium in 2005 the Society, together with Lewes District Council and Falmer Parish Council, took the matter to the High Court and succeeded in getting the decision overturned.
Jacquetta Fewster, Director of the Society, said "Our volunteers have campaigned tirelessly for many years but it is clear to us that further action by those who hold our countryside dear is futile in the face of the government’s determination. We will keep a close watch on this site. The developers have been instructed to fulfil certain conditions and the Society will ensure that these are met."
She continued: "The backers of the Falmer Stadium and other schemes throughout the Downs have been left in no doubt about one thing. The South Downs Society will always campaign forcefully against proposals which will damage our Downs."
Society Announces its Decision on Falmer Stadium
The South Downs Society today (15 August 2007) announced that it will not further challenge the government’s decision to allow the 22,000-seater stadium to be built in the South Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at Falmer.
John Songhurst, Chairman of the South Downs Society, said: "We have fought long and hard to protect this irreplaceable corner of our beautiful South Downs. It is clear that the government is determined to ride roughshod over its own policies on protecting the countryside, in order to allow this huge concrete carbuncle to be built on virgin Downland."
The Secretary of State, in her decision letter, admitted that the stadium would cause substantial harm to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, that it would cause damage to the character and appearance of an attractive stretch of landscape and would be seen from a wide range of viewpoints.
The Society appeared at the inquiry into the planning applications, at which two Inspectors agreed with the opposers of the scheme and found against the proposal. Later, after John Prescott had granted planning permission for the proposed stadium in 2005 the Society, together with Lewes District Council and Falmer Parish Council, took the matter to the High Court and succeeded in getting the decision overturned.
Jacquetta Fewster, Director of the Society, said "Our volunteers have campaigned tirelessly for many years but it is clear to us that further action by those who hold our countryside dear is futile in the face of the government’s determination. We will keep a close watch on this site. The developers have been instructed to fulfil certain conditions and the Society will ensure that these are met."
She continued: "The backers of the Falmer Stadium and other schemes throughout the Downs have been left in no doubt about one thing. The South Downs Society will always campaign forcefully against proposals which will damage our Downs."
Last edited:
