New Falmer Blow

[Kneon Light]

Front page of today's Argus has more bad news for Falmer. Apparently "experts" are advising planners to reject plans for the revised transport network. Whilst not in the original plans this transport interchange was essential to stop Brighton Uni scuppering the plans.

It's never bloody easy is it!

 

[The Oldman]

Did not expect anything else from Lewes DC and Falmer PC.
What they think does not matter . It's down to the planning inspector and 2 jags now.

We will get there.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

There's nothing new in this. It's just Lewes District Council's planners. The Club has been expecting them to oppose the new transport plans, just as they opposed the original plans.

The Argus story:-

Supporters of a new multi-million pound football stadium for Brighton and Hove Albion are bracing themselves for another planning battle.

The soccer club has tabled plans to improve a road leading to the site of the proposed stadium but Lewes councillors are being urged by experts to oppose the scheme.

The Albion agreed to widen sections of Village Way in Falmer to secure the backing of the University of Brighton for the 22,000-seater community stadium.

But planners at Lewes District Council claim a larger road would ruin the character of the area.

The university was originally opposed to the stadium amid fears it would have a damaging impact on campus life.

As it owns a third of the proposed site, this could have wrecked the Albion's dream of a new £48 million arena.

The club's offer to widen Village Way, allowing two lanes of traffic in each direction between the site and the B2123, convinced the university to back the Albion.

The scheme also includes a roundabout at the university entrance and traffic signals at the B2123 junction.

A public inquiry into the proposals was adjourned for four months on June 13 to allow for fresh talks between the Albion and the university.

In a report to councillors, Lewes planners state: "The university requires the applicant to provide these new access arrangments. Without them, the university will not agree to signing planning or lease agreements and the stadium proposal could not therefore be implemented.

"It is relevant to note that at the public inquiry the applicant has made it very clear that in its own opinion there is no planning justification for this new access arrangement."

The report urges councillors to oppose the road scheme as not suited to an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB).

Planners state: "The scale and form of the highway works would have a substantial detrimental visual impact on the character and quality of this AONB landscape and with the stadium and interchange, would contribute towards the closure of the important open countryside gap between the University of Brighton campus and Falmer village."

Falmer Parish Council has also objected, claiming the road improvements would "alter the visual character of Village Way" and lead to major road safety problems.

Councillors will discuss the application at a planning meeting on Tuesday, September 2.

As the road would include work within Brighton and Hove, the city council has also been asked to consider the application.

A final decision on the road scheme rests with the planning inspector at the inquiry, which resumes on October 14.

The only bit that matters is in the final sentence.

 

[Jam The Man]

What is it with The Argus They make out on one hand that they support us, but insist on printing old news just to wind us up...

 

[Beach Hut]

Clearly not much else to report today.

 

[Eggmundo]

Is depressing though isn't it!
Every time there's an article on the new stadium it revolves around opposition/uncertainties...
Why can't we ever have good news?
The only time i have felt confident about this stadium is when a mate of mine assured me that if the council are for it then Prescott will approve it (apparently he meets him alot).
Wouldn't count them chickens yet though

Any one know anything about an underground system?

 

[Citrus]

Why is it sooooooo hard?

Every other team gets new stadiums without any problems, Arsenal, 'Boro, Southampton, Hull, Darlington and now Cardiff!

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Why can't we ever have good news?

The good news that the Argus failed to report is that Falmer Parish Council were convinced that the University of Brighton would never reach agreement with the football club.

But they have.

Trouble is that "Agreement" is never news. "Disagreement" is news.

 

[Captain Sensible]

What is it with The Argus They make out on one hand that they support us, but insist on printing old news just to wind us up...

I had that discussion with Simon Bradshaw. He called me blinkered and attempted to defend himself by saying that the argus has that little Falmer for all logo on its back page. so what?
They give the nimby twats a case to argue by bringing up stuff that is old news. OH Mr Bradshaw, so are we supposed to believe that this story broke over the Bank Holiday Weekend? Experts working on a Bank holiday Sunday were they? Or is it just old news that you have decided to drag up against the club again. Giveing Lewes DC this sort of publicity might turn heads up in Prescotts office to the attention of this crap. I HATE the Argus. Don't anyone buy it.

 

[bhaexpress]

Message to Lewes and Falmer Councils ....

f*** OFF !

 

[Dunkstar]

Or give us the stadium!

 

[Turkey]

Bloody arsegas.

 

[Biscuit]

so...we can have our stadium...but dont widen a road because it'll spoil the "character of the place"...


I love EXPERTS.


IM AN EXPERT....guess what in?

 

[Ex-Staffs Gull]

Ok, Just as with Little Leon, I am really confident on this one.

Facts -

Land Owners (Brighton Uni and BCC) agree and support the proposal.

Users of the site (Brighton Uni) support the proposal.

Brigton City Council (Labour Council) support the scheme 11-1.

61,000+ said yes to the stadium.

Lewis District Council, Falmer Parish Council and SCC who reject the scheme (are Liberal or conservative).

All requested areas have been addressed and agreed upon by ALL INTERESTED PARTIES ....

The decision lays with a LABOUR government.

Nothing at the public enquirey shouted out REJECT, usually if this is the case, it is an obvious point. Current government policy also encourages community development schemes.

Easy choice..