Lord Bracknell
On fire
FALMER FOR ALL PRESS RELEASE
Thursday 23 September 2004
Dear John, there is only one site in Brighton!
Supporters of Brighton & Hove Albion’s new Community Stadium at Falmer, welcome the Labour Party to our City and sincerely hope that their Conference is enjoyable and productive. Throughout Conference week, various campaign initiatives have been planned including a march and a Fringe Meeting.
Chair of the Falmer For All Campaign Paul Samrah said,
“Our objective is to raise the awareness of our campaign throughout Conference week in a humorous, witty, colourful and entirely peaceful manner. We very much hope that by the end of the Conference next Thursday, each and every delegate will have enjoyed their stay in our City and will leave with a full understanding of what matters most to the local community.
For a City, that has hosted Party Political Conferences for decades, not to have a Stadium is simply unacceptable. Every great City needs a Stadium – it is vital for the community and for Brighton & Hove Albion.
You do not have to be an Albion supporter to support the Community Stadium at Falmer - this is a major community issue and all are very welcome to join the march. Fellow football fans are encouraged to wear their colours.
The march will be stewarded by the Albion and supervised by the Police. We are immensely grateful to Sussex Police for their help, co-operation and understanding throughout the planning of the march.
There has been no other occasion, in the history of Party Political Conferences, where the host community has demonstrated on a local issue – such is the significance of our march on Monday.
The march will be headed by a local band, and will be met opposite the Brighton Conference Centre by Chair of the All Party Football Group, Feltham & Heston Labour M.P. Alan Keen and colleagues. We hope we will leave the Deputy Prime Minister and his colleagues in absolutely no doubt – There is only one site in Brighton! “
Alan Keen commented:- "League football in Brighton and Hove has played a vital part in the city and enhanced community spirit for many years. This application offers a superb and unique opportunity to enhance the assets of the local area and is undoubtedly needed, not just for football but for the wider economic, cultural and leisure benefits that will result."
ENDS
Background note to Editors
Brighton & Hove Albion’s plans for a new Community Stadium at Falmer, which would secure its future, remain in jeopardy.
Despite an overwhelming show of public support, a report by a Planning Inspector has dismissed the proposals, on grounds of lack of National Interest and that part of the site is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The final decision though now rests with the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott. Last month, Mr Prescott asked for the Inquiry to be re-opened and for an evaluation of alternative viable and affordable sites to be made, before he makes his decision.
Quite simply, without Falmer, there can be no Brighton & Hove Albion. Why? Because their present temporary home (for a Championship football team) is a rented 7,000 capacity athletics stadium - income is capped and ongoing losses are the inevitable result.
Plans were submitted to Brighton & Hove City Council for a Community Stadium at Falmer in October 2001. The Council approved the application by 11 votes to 1. The application though was ‘called in’ for a Public Inquiry, this concluded in October 2003. The Club has spent £3m on the application to date.
Our campaign has collected thousands of letters of support for the Stadium from right across the country. We have the City Council’s support (11-1), we have the City Referendum result (67% in favour) and we have a record 62,000 signature petition. Not forgetting the small matter of the Early Day Motion (EDM 889) tabled in the House of Commons in support of Falmer as the site, which has so far attracted almost 150 signatories including several high profile Labour & Conservative MPs.
Detailed march arrangements – Mon 27 September
• From 5pm – Assemble in Madeira Drive
• 5.30pm - Depart Madeira Drive, along Kings Road to the Brighton Conference Centre
• 6.10pm - Arrive at Conference Centre
• 6.20pm - Leave on return march to Madeira Drive*
Everyone attending is encouraged to use public transport – no parking is permitted in Madeira Drive and the City Centre is likely to be very busy. Please allow sufficient time to make the start.
*We would like supporters to please complete both legs of the march – it is a 2 way thing (a game of two halves!).
Fringe Meeting – Tues 28 September 7.30pm to 8.30pm
• Britannia Suite, Royal Albion Hotel (opposite Brighton Pier);
• Speakers: Lord Bassam of Brighton; Dick Knight Chair of BHAFC and others tba.
Thursday 23 September 2004
Dear John, there is only one site in Brighton!
Supporters of Brighton & Hove Albion’s new Community Stadium at Falmer, welcome the Labour Party to our City and sincerely hope that their Conference is enjoyable and productive. Throughout Conference week, various campaign initiatives have been planned including a march and a Fringe Meeting.
Chair of the Falmer For All Campaign Paul Samrah said,
“Our objective is to raise the awareness of our campaign throughout Conference week in a humorous, witty, colourful and entirely peaceful manner. We very much hope that by the end of the Conference next Thursday, each and every delegate will have enjoyed their stay in our City and will leave with a full understanding of what matters most to the local community.
For a City, that has hosted Party Political Conferences for decades, not to have a Stadium is simply unacceptable. Every great City needs a Stadium – it is vital for the community and for Brighton & Hove Albion.
You do not have to be an Albion supporter to support the Community Stadium at Falmer - this is a major community issue and all are very welcome to join the march. Fellow football fans are encouraged to wear their colours.
The march will be stewarded by the Albion and supervised by the Police. We are immensely grateful to Sussex Police for their help, co-operation and understanding throughout the planning of the march.
There has been no other occasion, in the history of Party Political Conferences, where the host community has demonstrated on a local issue – such is the significance of our march on Monday.
The march will be headed by a local band, and will be met opposite the Brighton Conference Centre by Chair of the All Party Football Group, Feltham & Heston Labour M.P. Alan Keen and colleagues. We hope we will leave the Deputy Prime Minister and his colleagues in absolutely no doubt – There is only one site in Brighton! “
Alan Keen commented:- "League football in Brighton and Hove has played a vital part in the city and enhanced community spirit for many years. This application offers a superb and unique opportunity to enhance the assets of the local area and is undoubtedly needed, not just for football but for the wider economic, cultural and leisure benefits that will result."
ENDS
Background note to Editors
Brighton & Hove Albion’s plans for a new Community Stadium at Falmer, which would secure its future, remain in jeopardy.
Despite an overwhelming show of public support, a report by a Planning Inspector has dismissed the proposals, on grounds of lack of National Interest and that part of the site is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The final decision though now rests with the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott. Last month, Mr Prescott asked for the Inquiry to be re-opened and for an evaluation of alternative viable and affordable sites to be made, before he makes his decision.
Quite simply, without Falmer, there can be no Brighton & Hove Albion. Why? Because their present temporary home (for a Championship football team) is a rented 7,000 capacity athletics stadium - income is capped and ongoing losses are the inevitable result.
Plans were submitted to Brighton & Hove City Council for a Community Stadium at Falmer in October 2001. The Council approved the application by 11 votes to 1. The application though was ‘called in’ for a Public Inquiry, this concluded in October 2003. The Club has spent £3m on the application to date.
Our campaign has collected thousands of letters of support for the Stadium from right across the country. We have the City Council’s support (11-1), we have the City Referendum result (67% in favour) and we have a record 62,000 signature petition. Not forgetting the small matter of the Early Day Motion (EDM 889) tabled in the House of Commons in support of Falmer as the site, which has so far attracted almost 150 signatories including several high profile Labour & Conservative MPs.
Detailed march arrangements – Mon 27 September
• From 5pm – Assemble in Madeira Drive
• 5.30pm - Depart Madeira Drive, along Kings Road to the Brighton Conference Centre
• 6.10pm - Arrive at Conference Centre
• 6.20pm - Leave on return march to Madeira Drive*
Everyone attending is encouraged to use public transport – no parking is permitted in Madeira Drive and the City Centre is likely to be very busy. Please allow sufficient time to make the start.
*We would like supporters to please complete both legs of the march – it is a 2 way thing (a game of two halves!).
Fringe Meeting – Tues 28 September 7.30pm to 8.30pm
• Britannia Suite, Royal Albion Hotel (opposite Brighton Pier);
• Speakers: Lord Bassam of Brighton; Dick Knight Chair of BHAFC and others tba.
