The Decision - YES, but first prove there's nowhere else available

[Lord Bracknell]

Southern Counties Radio Have Got It Wrong

The decision is YES – provided we can prove that no other suitable site is available. To allow this to happen, the Public Inquiry will be re-opened – to deal with this aspect only. Prescott accepts that the Albion have successfully made the case for a stadium at Falmer.

Despite giving every appearance of being another delay, this announcement is EXCELLENT NEWS.

We have to jump through five hoops before we can start building at Falmer:-

1. We have to prove that the development is in the national interest. Prescott agrees that it is.

2. We have to prove that it will bring significant social, economic and community benefits. Prescott agrees that it will.

3. We have to show that any environmental damage can be overcome. Prescott agrees that this can be achieved at Falmer.

4. We have to demonstrate that there is no other suitable site available. Having had to listen to a persistent series of claims by a number of objectors that – despite the evidence at the Public Inquiry – this isn’t finally proved, Prescott is bending over backwards to ensure that all the new evidence is fully tested and cannot be challenged through the Judicial Review process.

5. We have to finalise the finance package before construction starts. This wouldn’t be possible if a threat of Judicial Review hung over the project. The delay could be at least twelve months.

By re-opening the Public Inquiry, Prescott is guaranteeing that he can’t be challenged on the “alternative site” issue. He can give a final YES by the autumn – and the NIMBYs won’t be able to challenge it.

If he said YES today, Falmer Parish Council (and possibly Lewes District Council as well) would certainly challenge it. We’d be hanging on for a year before we could make any further progress.

Today’s decision is Prescott well and truly stuffing the NIMBYs.

Go out and celebrate!!!

 

[Seagullmatt]

Just heard Paul Samrah on SCR. Is this true? If so, fantastic and SCR should all be shot for scaring the hell out us all!

 

[Hiney]

That's good enough for me Lord B

 

[pishhead]

thank you mr bracknell, you have basically but in a much better way explained what paul samrah has said, its not all doom and gloom just a further delay to our ultimate goal, FALMER.

 

[Soton Seagull]

From the ODPM website.....

News Release 2004/0184:
27 July 2004

INQUIRY TO BE REOPENED INTO PROPOSALS FOR STADIUM FOR BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION FOOTBALL CLUB

The public inquiry into proposals for a new stadium for Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club will be re-opened, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has announced in a letter published today.


The original public inquiry was held between 18 February and 23 October, 2003. The Planning Inspector recommended that permission should be refused.

But while the Inspector's report was under consideration by the Secretary of State, another Inspector's Report - on the draft Brighton and Hove Local Plan - was published.

In light of this, the Secretary of State invited further representations, and as part of this process the applicants sent him detailed information on the availability of alternative sites for the stadium discussed at the planning inquiry.

Having considered these representations, the Secretary of State has concluded that he should seek further evidence concerning the availability or otherwise of alternative sites and that the most effective way of obtaining this evidence is to re-open the public inquiry.

Notes to Editors



Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club applied for planning permission to Brighton and Hove City Council and Lewes District Council for the development, of a new stadium at Falmer with a coach and bus interchange and improved access for the University of Brighton. There were four planning applications for determination. The proposed site lies within the Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The applications were called in for determination by the Secretary of State.

The proposals are supported by Brighton and Hove City Council, Sport England, but opposed by Lewes District Council, the Countryside Agency and Local Parish Councils and the Council for the Protection of Rural England.

In a letter issued today, the Secretary of State has asked for evidence on the availability and suitability for the proposed development of a number of sites, each assessed against specific criteria. He has also asked whether there are any other sites that could be suitable, having regard to these criteria.

The Secretary of State has published the Inspector's report and this will be part of the evidence for the new inquiry. However, the Secretary of State does not propose to form a view on the report until he has received and considered the report of the second Inspector.

The Planning Inspectorate in Bristol is making arrangements for the re-opening of the inquiry. This will be done as soon as possible.

 

[Wardy]

Lord B I have decided that I love you. You have told the truth from the start and I belive you on this

 

[Seagulltonian]

Who now pays for this new enquiry? Is it us? Have we got the money to do so, or will we have to flog a player or two to pay for it?

 

[Lord Bracknell]

SCR are now getting closer to the facts.

"You can have it at Falmer, if there's nowhere else"

 

[Highfields Seagull]

Blimey, I think I may have to go home to rest. I've swung from apoplectic rage to sheer joy and then back to somewhere in the middle this morning.

 

[Superseagull]

It would be great news apart from the fact that it will go on for years and cost us more £££'s that we have not got. Has any deadline been set for thisnew inquiry? The first public inquiry should have dealt with this issue fully. The whole process is a joke.

 

[rool]

any more comments from the little villagers?

 

[Woodingdean Gull]

Lord B, I thank you. Despair was really setting in and I just didn't know what to do or who to turn to.

This is excellent news.

 

[BensGrandad]

Well done Lord B you have explained it well however not wishing to be a profit of doom what if the 2nd Inspectors report agreed with the original one by Mr Hoile, which is conceivable, would JP then be forced to go along with that report as support for the original report.

 

[pishhead]

Has any deadline been set for thisnew inquiry? The first public inquiry should have dealt with this issue fully. The whole process is a joke.

maybe a 4-5 month time scale for the decision

 

[isabellas father]

Thankyou Lord B you have made my day.

 

[caz99]

i agree its taking the piss and dragging it on. its ridculous what about further expense to us as well

 

[Zeitgeist]

One in the eye for that ill informed bitch, Rebecca Drought, after her cooing on SCR when everyone thought it was a straight no. She could barely conceal her delight. On another tack, this decision is so typical of new Labour. A fudge that is neither one or the other. Here we go again. Another round of letter writing for everyone!

 

[balloonboy]

Official website says "No news yet from Prescott"

 

[Comedy Steve]

Re: Southern Counties Radio Have Got It Wrong

The decision is YES – provided we can prove that no other suitable site is available. To allow this to happen, the Public Inquiry will be re-opened – to deal with this aspect only. Prescott accepts that the Albion have successfully made the case for a stadium at Falmer.

Despite giving every appearance of being another delay, this announcement is EXCELLENT NEWS.

We have to jump through five hoops before we can start building at Falmer:-

1. We have to prove that the development is in the national interest. Prescott agrees that it is.

2. We have to prove that it will bring significant social, economic and community benefits. Prescott agrees that it will.

3. We have to show that any environmental damage can be overcome. Prescott agrees that this can be achieved at Falmer.

4. We have to demonstrate that there is no other suitable site available. Having had to listen to a persistent series of claims by a number of objectors that – despite the evidence at the Public Inquiry – this isn’t finally proved, Prescott is bending over backwards to ensure that all the new evidence is fully tested and cannot be challenged through the Judicial Review process.

5. We have to finalise the finance package before construction starts. This wouldn’t be possible if a threat of Judicial Review hung over the project. The delay could be at least twelve months.

By re-opening the Public Inquiry, Prescott is guaranteeing that he can’t be challenged on the “alternative site” issue. He can give a final YES by the autumn – and the NIMBYs won’t be able to challenge it.

If he said YES today, Falmer Parish Council (and possibly Lewes District Council as well) would certainly challenge it. We’d be hanging on for a year before we could make any further progress.

Today’s decision is Prescott well and truly stuffing the NIMBYs.

Go out and celebrate!!!

My 'source' told me yesterday that I'd be happy with the announcement. I said, "yeah, but I'll only be happy after all that Judicial Review bollocks", and he said, "no, there WON'T be a judicial review." This is clearly what he meant. Woohoo!!!

 

[balloonboy]

One in the eye for that ill informed bitch, Rebecca Drought, after her cooing on SCR when everyone thought it was a straight no. She could barely conceal her delight. On another tack, this decision is so typical of new Labour. A fudge that is neither one or the other. Here we go again. Another round of letter writing for everyone!

On the other hand, if you follow Lord B's logic, new Labour (in the person of JP) have given us exactly what we wanted, and removed the risk of a judicial review. Much better to know that there's another 4 or 5 months' delay with near certainty of success than get an outright "Yes" today, then wake up tomorrow to a Judical Review. The club can, I'm sure, get on with putting some of the stepping stones in place for Falmer, so we may find that the next 4 to 5 months are not, infact, wasted.