This Press Release was found on Lewes District Council website posted today. "Roundtable Entertainment has bought Lewes Road Recreation Ground in Newhaven for a potential hotel development.Lewes District Council sold the land on the 29 June 2012. As a direct response to the public consultation which closed on the 20 June 2012 the following decisions were taken:
ON THE SECOND JULY I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM NILAM POPAT WITH THE REPORT THAT THE DISTRICT COUNCIL WANTED "TO SET UP A CROSS PARTY WORKING GROUP" NO MENTION OF THE SITE BEING SOLD. OM 3RD JULY I RECEIVE A MAIL FROM NEWHAVEN TOWN COUNCIL SAYING "Newhaven Town Council has been informed by Lewes District Council that the sale of Lewes Road Recreation Ground was completed on Friday, 29th June."SOUNDS TO ME LIKE SOMEONE HAS SOMETHING TO HIDE SOMEWHERE WHO ARE THE DEVELOPERS. WHAT IS GOING ON LEWES. See stories below.
Newhaven Town Council has been informed by Lewes District Council that the sale of Lewes Road Recreation Ground was completed on Friday, 29th June.Town Mayor, Councillor Graham Amy said We are shocked and dismayed that this sale has gone through with an absolute minimum of public consultation and no notice taken of the strong objections made in the very short time given. The land remaining available for recreational use for four years is far from adequate reassurance for the people of Newhaven.Councillor Amy has today written urgently to the Chief Executives of both Lewes District Council and East Sussex County Council asking whether they intend to sell any more land in Newhaven.
We have received a reply from Nilam Popat Corporate Head - Communities & Enterprise Lewes District Council in response to the statutory notice advertising Lewes District Council's proposed sale of the Lewes Road Recreation Ground for potential hotel use. They are hoping that this will be the first step in a major regeneration proposal for Newhaven which will be the subject of full consultation with residents if the regeneration projects are progressed.
This is an outrageous decision by LDC to try and creep under the radar and sell off one of the public amenity behind the residents back. If someone wants to build a hotel in Newhaven, they should be directed to the Harbour Development area, which I would have thought to be better for them and the Town.No wonder the town is in a poor state when Councillors make decisions like this. The young in Newhaven do not have many places to meet and play now, so don't be surprised when you get more vandalism in the town if you go ahead with this sneeky proposal.
