The reason for Prescott's decision

[The Great Cornholio]

Collyer supports both Sheepcote and Toad's Hole Valley as better options than Falmer. If he didn't reopen the Inquiry, a Judicial Review would most likely have been successful for the Nimby's. For those interested, read around Page 40 of the second part of the download. We are very lucky Prescott didn't side with his Inspector as he is scathing.

Here's what he concludes about Sheepcote :-

18.78 Of course this site has its disadvantages as well as advantages - just like any other. As to whether it represents a realistic alternative to Falmer is essentially a question of balance. And in my judgement the balance at Sheepcote Valley demonstrably falls in favour of its suitability; moreover, any disadvantages which it does have are far outweighed by those which make the Falmer site, in my overall opinion [see paragraphs 18.184-18.190], wholly unacceptable

And Toad's Hole

18.84 Overall, if as a result of a thorough and comprehensive analysis of alternative sites the conclusion were reached that, contrary to my own opinion, no suitable location outside of the AONB were available and that one within the designated area had to be found (setting aside, in the context of this point, the question of the PPG7 national interest test), in my judgement Toad’s Hole Valley is on balance a better prospect than Falmer

 

[m20gull]

You just beat me to this one. The complete 18.78 paragraph is not as reassuring as earlier posts suggest.

 

[Superseagull]

So basically the only difference between Falmer, Toads Hole and Sheepcote is the fact that one site has a group of residents who like to think they live in some sort of idilic rural heaven, whilst the others will just have to accept development because they live in a city. The report seems to be written like one mans personal crusade against football clubs in places. Not as independant as how I thought it was going to be. I can see how it wouldn't have cut much ice with Prescott.

 

[London Irish]

This was the same biased crap as Hoile - city dwelling oiks can put up with the football oiks, after all, they are both oiks, particularly that Whitehawk lot, but the middle-class village dwellers have to be protected at all costs. Why didn't Collyer just also order a gin and tonic from Prescott while he was there, as per the standard Tory MP "joke" in Parliament against Two Jags.

 

[m20gull]

It seems to me that the key difference is that Falmer is in an AONB, Sheepcote isn't. For JP to approve development at Falmer all options need to be excluded. Collyer concluded that the analysis of the options was outdated, so more information needed, including costings that were criticised for being too vague.

 

[Superseagull]

He didn't appear to criticise the NIMBY's vague assumptions! Listening to Dick Knight on the radio he said that Falmer was to be de-listed as a ANOB when the South Downs park boundaries are set. Is this true? When will this happen? Surley this will seal Falmer for us.

 

[Ex Shelton Seagull]

He mentions in the report that Falmer will very possibly be de-listed as an AONB, but he then announces that he won't think about it because it's an AONB at the moment so therefore it will be treated as an AONB.

 

[Storer68]

Isn't THV an AONB as well
#
Surely no development on an AONB cannot result in development on a different AONB??