November 8 2013.

Jo Pettitt gives an update on the ongoing Riverside Park saga...


Norman Baker MP has written to the chief executives of both Lewes District Council and East Sussex County Council in support of the petition to transfer Riverside Park to Newhaven Town Council.

The petition, which was signed by 647 residents, was recently presented to LDC and ESCC by representatives of local action group Riverside Park Community Voice.

Riverside Park Community Voice started the petition to safeguard the future of the park as a community asset for the enjoyment of future generations. Riverside Park is a Site of Nature Conservation Importance and is a home to rare plant species, some of which are also nationally scarce.

Many residents were shocked last year when LDC sold the southern part of the site to developers who were proposing a water park development on and around the area. The land was returned to LDC when the proposal came to nothing and now residents want it, along with the northern part of the site owned by ESCC, transferred to Newhaven Town Council, who, they believe, appreciates its real value to locals.

The Leader of Lewes District Council, Cllr. James Page publically stated that he was in support of the transfer of Riverside Park to Newhaven Town Council after the petition was presented to Lewes District Council on the 16th of October. 

Norman Baker has asked LDC and ESCC to put the latest position to him in writing and says he’ll be in touch again when he hears from them.

Jo Pettitt

Riverside Park Community Voice Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RiversideParkCommunityVoiceNewhaven?fref=ts

Riverside Park Community Voice website: www.riversidepark.org.uk