Let's pause and take a deep breath...

[The Large One]

OK, we've had a nasty shock. But let's step back for a second.

The report is clearly biased and ignorant, and more importantly (especially with the housing statements) goes flatly against Government policy. The Deputy Prime Minister will therefore be more likely to scoff at it. If it was a statement on Falmer alone, I would have more worries, but as it clearly dismisses a social housing policy which the Government itself is keen to promote, Mr Hoille has blighted his own report.

Not knowing how the ODPM, nor the civil servants within operate, it's a fairly presumptuous thing to say. However, I would say that if (and it's a big IF) that this is the case, then basically, nothing has changed.

Do keep writing, do keep the campaign going. Let's march on Wycombe. Don't forget we have the support of the club, the City Council, the people of Brighton & Hove, the Football Association, countless other football clubs and their fans, the universities of Brighton and Sussex, all of the relevant sports bodies, media celebrities...

FANS UNITED WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED.

 

[ditchy]

very good points indeed ...top post

 

[Ernest]

If it wasn't an important development than why the concern by Knight and Perry ?
They seem worried by this and I'd say they know a lot more about this than us.

 

[The Large One]

They are concerned as whether it will have an effect on Prescott's decision. On balance, it shouldn't, but if Prescott was made aware of how much the fans disagree with this report, then it will leave him in no doubt.

Simple, really if you bothered to stop and think about it.

 

[perseus]

It is a disaster!

It means? another Public Inquiry and then the time limit for the Planning Permission may run out (I do not know the details).

It is mostly the fault of the intractable opponents the South Downs Conservation Board (which are an unelected quango flexing their political muscles).

On first impressions, it looks just about as F***** as the West Pier.

However, Prescott maybe able to overrule the local decision (maybe on the grounds that the Albion Football stadium is a small project and will not muck up the Local Plan).

The problem is it gives Prescott a way to turn down the Public Inquiry case for the stadium. Before this, he did not have a reason to turn it down.

I expected some further delay, but I really did not expect a hammer blow like this.

I have said from the very beginning that the Albion have to get out of Brighton & Hove because their Planning Department will bollox it all up.

Delay is the same is refusal. Many more Planning Applications have been destroyed by delays than outright refusal.

That's one of the reasons I suggested Pende would be a better bet.

 

[ben andrews' girlfriend]

oh you bastard!! you have really pissed me off now perseus. stop f***ing thinking about f***ing pende and start looking towards falmer please!

 

[The Large One]

It is a disaster!

It means? another Public Inquiry and then the time limit for the Planning Permission may run out (I do not know the details).

It is mostly the fault of the intractable opponents the South Downs Conservation Board (which are an unelected quango flexing their political muscles).

On first impressions, it looks just about as F***** as the West Pier.

However, Prescott maybe able to overrule the local decision (maybe on the grounds that the Albion Football stadium is a small project and will not muck up the Local Plan).

The problem is it gives Prescott a way to turn down the Public Inquiry case for the stadium. Before this, he did not have a reason to turn it down.

I expected some further delay, but I really did not expect a hammer blow like this.

I have said from the very beginning that the Albion have to get out of Brighton & Hove because their Planning Department will bollox it all up.

Delay is the same is refusal. Many more Planning Applications have been destroyed by delays than outright refusal.

That's one of the reasons I suggested Pende would be a better bet.

FFS Perseus, it is not a disaster. It is some tosser's opinion, which, becuase it flies in the face of Government policy, will probably be discredited. There will NOT be another public inquiry. If there is a judicial review, they take about a couple of days, it the decision is made there and then.

And shut up about f***ing Pende. We are not going to Pende. We are going to Falmer.

 

[ben andrews' girlfriend]

thanks tlo, put it a bit better than i did

 

[Westdene Seagull]

However, Prescott maybe able to overrule the local decision (maybe on the grounds that the Albion Football stadium is a small project and will not muck up the Local Plan).

Shows how little you know about Prescott's powers - all the reports are there to present information to him. HE and he alone makes the final call - he can reject every bit of advice he's given if he so wishes.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Here we go ...

It is a disaster!

It means? another Public Inquiry and then the time limit for the Planning Permission may run out (I do not know the details).

No it doesn't mean another Public Inquiry.

It is mostly the fault of the intractable opponents the South Downs Conservation Board (which are an unelected quango flexing their political muscles).

No it isn't. The case against the Community Stadium policy was also put by East Sussex County Council and Lewes District Council

On first impressions, it looks just about as F***** as the West Pier.

The Local Plan Inspector's Report doesn't bind Prescott.

However, Prescott maybe able to overrule the local decision (maybe on the grounds that the Albion Football stadium is a small project and will not muck up the Local Plan).

This isn't a "local decision". It's a comment on a proposed policy change by the City Council

The problem is it gives Prescott a way to turn down the Public Inquiry case for the stadium. Before this, he did not have a reason to turn it down.

The Local Plan Inquiry was not about the Planning Application. There will be a quite separate Report on the Public Inquiry into the Planning Application.

I expected some further delay, but I really did not expect a hammer blow like this.

If Prescott gives the go-ahead, there need not be any "further delay".

I have said from the very beginning that the Albion have to get out of Brighton & Hove because their Planning Department will bollox it all up.

The Local Plan Inspector's Report is not the responsibility of the City Council's Planning Department. They don't like it any more than we do.

Delay is the same is refusal. Many more Planning Applications have been destroyed by delays than outright refusal.

See above.

That's one of the reasons I suggested Pende would be a better bet.

Starting again with Pende would lead to even more delays and the project would be unaffordable

 

[perseus]

Falmer might be f***** by this "under the belt" devious trick!

I cannot see how the Albion can get around it. It seems designed to pave the way for Prescott to turn down the application. I cannot see any other reason for it.

My suggestion would be to make a political heave-ho about the lack of sports facilities in Sussex, not just the Albion.

Make a comparison with Sheffield. The local plan must surely have a provision for local sports facilities. The trouble is this will end up going to a Public Inquiry any way. More delays.

The only hope is that Prescott ignores the local plan recommendation.

I do not think the Albion could have done anything about it. Even neutrals would regard as underhand.

It could be simply that the Local Inspector is incompetent and hasn't done his job properly.

 

[The Large One]

FALMER IS NOT F*****. Far from it. Prescott makes the decision, bsaed on reasoned argument. Assuming the Stadium Inquiry report is sensible, today's report will be flatly contradicted, and hopefull THAT is the one Prescott will take notice of.

How many more bloody times? It's a report which was for the city council who can choose to ignore it.

It's not underhand, for, as your light finally gets switched on, the reporter is a twat.

 

[Bwian]

thanks tlo, put it a bit better than i did

Your response had more emotion in it though

 

[perseus]

I was playing Devil's Advocate a bit here.

I think that Prescott giving a YES was 100% sure before. Now he has got an out if he wants.

What gets me is why the Local Inspector made such a decision? Surely Brighton Planning department put the case before him. So he has done an about face which defies common sense. It is only a ploughed field on the edge of an urban area. Has he been got at? Or is he just stupid?

Suggesting Sheepcote Valley is in direct contradiction of the transport policy to get more people on trains. Suggesting Brighton station is neglecting to appreciate that in this country land-owners have lots of power and that they would not allow their profits to be diminished by a stadium there.

Has he been got? What political machinations are going on?

Who is he? Can he change the decision?

It means a Public Inquiry for the local plan, but the Planning Application is with the old plan so I cannot see why Prescott should take any notice of the alteration?

As it comes after the Public Inquiry I would have thought he should not. So my first impressions have CHANGED. I agree it is one "tosser's opinion" and it is probably good that Ken Bodfish came out against it.

By the way, it happens all over the country (usually after a Public Inquiry) a bit of land is zoned for something in an out of date "Structure Plan" and then a plan comes in that is a little bit different from the zoning, (sports facilities instead of a college block) so it is not big deal, just a bloody nuisance most of the time.

 

[Rowley Birkin Q.C (Deceased)]

A few weeks ago there was a report on the front page of the Times stating somthing to the effect that government, in particular John Prescott's office were to bring about policies that would, although sometimes unpopular, give local councils greater powers to build in rural areas, creating jobs, and skills training. The proposals were also to include sweeping powers to clear away the NIMBYism that planning proposals often attract. I tacked this onto the end of my letter to Prezza.

Falmer is not finished, WE WILL GET IT, but we still have to fight for it.

 

[TSB]

the falmer planning enquiry will find in favour of the stadium so no worries
that inspector did not sit in on our publice enquiry and so did not hear the full evidence,we'll be fine

 

[The Large One]

Now you mention it, RB (dd), that was mooted about. I forgot about that...

 

[Brighton Breezy]

I was playing Devil's Advocate a bit here.

And the point in doing that is what exactly?

 

[Marc]

this from the official site, surely JP will recognise this in his final report/decision, he has to look at all angles remember:

"The reaction to the report is that it is superficial, because it ignores much of the detailed evidence contained in the club's Stadium Planning Applications that were considered in depth at the Public Inquiry. It therefore deserves to carry little weight in the decision making process currently being undertaken by the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott."

are we all getting a little over anxious here? My way of looking at it is that JP will look at everything obviously and then see that this blokes report is neither here nor there in comparison with the other report/s. Am I right in thinking that?

 

[The Large One]

Just sent this to Paul Camillin, whon had just sent me an email urging me to write to Prezza.

Is the club actually pooing itself over this? The mood on North Stand Chat was disbelief, anger, panic, strength and derision - in that order. We are confident Prescott will treat this report with the contempt it deserves - especially as much of it appears to contradict Government policy.

And he has let me know that this is pretty much the mood in the club office. They just want ot exert as muc pressure on 2 Jags as possible.

He will be at the quiz tomorrow if anyone wants to talk tactics... (re: Falmer, not cheating a look at each other's answers).