Lewes council are considering TODAY whether to fight Falmer - send them an e-mail

[Lord Bracknell]

LB - I guess these e-mails should only be sent by Lewes residents?... please confirm... thank you...

And... thank you and Lammy for making your thoughts known to the council... it's a disgrace that they (Lewes DC) should spend your hard-earned this way IMHO...

In view of the fact that all nine councillors will start their meeting in about two and a half hours time, I guess we'll have to follow this up with a more general campaign to get the Cabinet's decision overturned (assuming they agree later today to waste our money).

The next meeting of the full Council on 6 October is probably the one to aim for.

Obviously, Lewes district residents will have more influence on their own councillors, but I've never held back from contacting Brighton Hove councillors, even though I don't live in the city.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

I've already had a reply - from the Tory councillor for Peacehaven East, Su Bratchie:-

Thank you for your comments which I am taking forward to Cabinet with me.

I have noted your opposition and thank you for taking the time to write. I suggest you write to Rory Love(prospective cons candidate) who supports your view, and is in opposition to Norman Baker and the Lib Dem didtrict council who want to fight the stadium, I will find his email address and forward it.


Cllr. Su Bratchie

Susan.Bratchie@lewes.gov.uk
su.bratchie@btinternet.com

 

[b.w.2.]

E-mail sent to the lot of them, even though I don't live in Lewes...

Falmer Stadium

Dear All,

Please be aware that myself and many residents of Lewes feel it is totally unacceptable that Lewes Council funds are being diverted away from meaningful budgets and into the fight to stop the Falmer Stadium project going ahead... I understand that you will decide whether to pour additional funds into the ant-Falmer stadium kitty later today...

Please can you reflect the wishes of the majority of people in your area, and make the most logical decision... stop funding the anti-Falmer campaign... Falmer is the only viable site for a much-needed stadium for the only Football League club in Sussex, and offers many benefits to the local community...

Best Regards,

Hope that helps...

 

[Lammy]

Response from Davis Rogers

On the issue itself, as one of those who follows the club's fortunes, I ally myself firmly with the wise words of Norman Baker MP which have been widely reported. In summary, he and I do not believe the club has been best advised by aligning itself so closely with the city council of Brighton & Hove and its current and former leaders, nor do we believe that the site selection process was sufficiently transparent in the initial stages. That is why, in our opinion, the Deputy PM has re-opened the inquiry. As to the timing of that, Norman Baker has already been proved to be correct, despite the public pronouncements of others only a few weeks ago that it would be concluded by Christmas; it is a political device to delay a decision until after the anticipated date of the next General Election, and people may well speculate as to the reasons for that. Norman has also said that he will abide by the final decision, and if possible assist with the "healing process" whichever side "wins" - if I am in a position so to do, I shall too.

Yours sincerely,

David Rogers,

Newhaven's county councillor, and District councillor for Denton & Meeching.

 

[The Large One]

As to the timing of that, Norman Baker has already been proved to be correct, despite the public pronouncements of others only a few weeks ago that it would be concluded by Christmas; it is a political device to delay a decision until after the anticipated date of the next General Election, and people may well speculate as to the reasons for that. Norman has also said that he will abide by the final decision, and if possible assist with the "healing process" whichever side "wins" - if I am in a position so to do, I shall too.

Yours sincerely,

David Rogers,

Newhaven's county councillor, and District councillor for Denton & Meeching.

I thought I read somewhere that Baker withdrew that allegation - mainly because it was bollocks. As for his part in the 'healing' process, I find that immensely hypocritical, as it is only him that wanted - and started - a ruck.

 

[Lammy]

And my response...


Mr Rogers,

I'm not sure I would use the expression "wise words" and Norman Baker in the same sentence. I voted for Baker in the last election and after comments like "I would rather Brighton and Hove Albion FC went out of business than built at Falmer" I will (unfortunately) not be voting for your party again. The Liberal Democrats have a long way to go in the healing process with BHAFC fans after what David Bellotti (then MP) did to the club. It seems as though one of your party members put us in this situation and now another one is trying to keep us there.

It does appear however, the Mr Baker is softening his approach to Falmer and is now deciding to sit on the fence. The new public enquiry is to address one issue only. Is there another BETTER site in Brighton and Hove? This is what my council tax is going to fund. You say that the club were ill advised by Brighton Council (Labour) in their original search for a site. How so? What other site is there that is BETTER than Falmer and one that we are allowed to build on? A fellow fan spoke recently to Mr Baker about this issue (at Falmer pond during his battle bus tour). When ask where he (Mr Baker) thought the club should build he suggested Brighton Station. Now if you are complaining that the club were ill advised with Falmer then I think Mr Baker needs to sack all of his advisors! Has he not noticed the supermarket that is being built there?

In short where should we build a stadium and why?

 

[somerset]

And my response...


Mr Rogers,

I'm not sure I would use the expression "wise words" and Norman Baker in the same sentence. I voted for Baker in the last election and after comments like "I would rather Brighton and Hove Albion FC went out of business than built at Falmer" I will (unfortunately) not be voting for your party again. The Liberal Democrats have a long way to go in the healing process with BHAFC fans after what David Bellotti (then MP) did to the club. It seems as though one of your party members put us in this situation and now another one is trying to keep us there.

It does appear however, the Mr Baker is softening his approach to Falmer and is now deciding to sit on the fence. The new public enquiry is to address one issue only. Is there another BETTER site in Brighton and Hove? This is what my council tax is going to fund. You say that the club were ill advised by Brighton Council (Labour) in their original search for a site. How so? What other site is there that is BETTER than Falmer and one that we are allowed to build on? A fellow fan spoke recently to Mr Baker about this issue (at Falmer pond during his battle bus tour). When ask where he (Mr Baker) thought the club should build he suggested Brighton Station. Now if you are complaining that the club were ill advised with Falmer then I think Mr Baker needs to sack all of his advisors! Has he not noticed the supermarket that is being built there?

In short where should we build a stadium and why?

That is a very good set of comments Lammy, I would certainly like to hear/read the response if any.

 

[somerset]

..... it also appears that they are planning to fight the case on a technicality rather than firm evidence that there is an ecological/economical conflict to the stadium being built.


quote "nor do we believe that the site selection process was sufficiently transparent in the initial stages"

 

[b.w.2.]

I had the exact same response from Councillor Rogers, and asked him the exact same question, see below for my effort...

Dear Councillor Rogers,

Thank you for your prompt response...

Please can you let me know which site you would propose our football club to use, if not Falmer?...

Also, do you support the use of Lewes council funding to fight the Falmer stadium plan, or are you saying you are still open minded on this issue?...

Thank you...

Best Regards,

 

[Lammy]

I'm still waiting for a further response. I'm also still waiting for any kind of response from the other EIGHT emails I sent out!

(I guess they are in the discussion process now)

 

[Faldo]

..... it also appears that they are planning to fight the case on a technicality rather than firm evidence that there is an ecological/economical conflict to the stadium being built.


quote "nor do we believe that the site selection process was sufficiently transparent in the initial stages"

I thought that the lack of transparency was one of the grounds for a judicial review. This technicality has since been removed by JPs decision to re-open the enquiry.

The NIMBYs and opposition are using the same rhetoric time and time again - I'm starting to worry its a master plan to fool us into a false sense of security........

 

[somerset]

.....well I don't feel very secure I can tell you.............

 

[Yorkie]

Am I too late or shall I send my email now?

I can confirm what Norman Baker's statement said because it is what he came out with when I spoke to him last week.

 

[The Large One]

I thought that the lack of transparency was one of the grounds for a judicial review. This technicality has since been removed by JPs decision to re-open the enquiry.

The NIMBYs and opposition are using the same rhetoric time and time again - I'm starting to worry its a master plan to fool us into a false sense of security........

Well, all you have is stop and ask yourself: where else is there? If we can't think of anywhere else, you can be certain that the NIMBYs won't know. Because such a place doesn't exist.

They were moaning about the so-called lack of transparency. Now we are going to have a Public Inquiry about transparency. As you stated, the re-opening of the Inquiry is to clarify the situation. The NIMBYs have had their bluff called.

All they can do is make outrageous claims which they then have to back up. It's not good enough for them to say, 'it should be at Location X...' They have to prove that Location X is good enough, and we have to prove that Location X is not good enough. I am certain Jonathan Clay can blast their mad rhetoric out of the water without even trying.

And don't forget, at the Inquiry, they will NOT be allowed to debate the merits of Falmer. That matter will not be allowed onto the agenda.

Paul Samrah has hinted at the possibilty of the NIMBYs going for the 'nuclear' option, and really trying to hammer home the merits of one or two of the seven other sites. But no-one knows what they will do. Lunacy can be very unpredictable.

 

[portlock seagull]

If we ever win this bloody campaign and Falmer's built, we ought to organise a "crowing campaign" that goes on for as many years as this has taken with all it's appeals to rub their noses in it. Every Councilor, every NIMBY, every Whitehall official who opposed us....be the only time I'd voluntarily through good money after bad. Except following the Albion of course....!

 

[dougdeep]

If we ever win this bloody campaign and Falmer's built, we ought to organise a "crowing campaign" that goes on for as many years as this has taken with all it's appeals to rub their noses in it. Every Councilor, every NIMBY, every Whitehall official who opposed us....be the only time I'd voluntarily through good money after bad. Except following the Albion of course....!

All up against the wall BOP BOP BOP!

 

[Yorkie]

I got exactly the same answer from David Rogers as Lammy.