June 20 2012.

Today is the last chance to object to the proposed sale of Newhaven's Lewes Road Recreation Ground by Lewes District Council to a developer claiming to want to build a hotel on the site.

Newhaven Town Council has objected to the sale on the grounds that:

• That this recreation ground is essential and is well used and loved by local residents.

• That it does not believe that the District Council will be able to "source alternative open spaces that can provide enhanced recreational activities in better locations for local people" as they have claimed.

• That the sale of any recreation ground for development conflicts with the District Council's own planning policies

• That the long desired Riverside Park providing enhanced recreational facilities for the town on this site would be far more beneficial to the local community than a hotel.

• That the way in which the decision has been made in secret by the Leader of the District Council and not by a committee or by the full Council is inappropriate for a decision of this importance.


In what may appear to be a somewhat devious and under-hand manner, Lewes District Councils's proposed sale was announced in a very low-key fashion in the Brighton-based Argus newspaper on Wednesday the 6th of June, and NewhavenTown Council had not been informed of it before that date. The announcement gave just 14 days notice for objections, today being the closing date.

The proposed development of a hotel is also questionable on a number of counts. Why build a hotel on a flood plain overlooking an incinerator? Something smells here. It isn't the fish market, low tide or the incinerator. So what are they REALLY up to....?

Your objections need to be in within the next 30 minutes. 

DO IT NOW 

Cut and paste the information below or use your own comments.


SUBJECT: OBJECTION TO PROPOSED SALE OF LEWES ROAD RECREATION GROUND, NEWHAVEN.

To: lucy.knott@lewes.gov.uk  

Text: I wish to object to the proposed sale of Lewes Road Recreation Ground in Newhaven and demand an inquiry into the way this proposal has been made.


Your Name and Address