Tom Hark Preston Park
Will Post For Cash
- Jul 6, 2003
- 74,266
Need to step up patrols against 'mystery fires' methinks
O/T Save Saltdean Lido
- Thread starter Bold Seagull
- Start date
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ROSM
Well-known member
It is a very worthwhile building and there is a lot that can be done to save it. The current leaseholder is not interested in running it as a going concern but is only keen to run it down so that he can do what he wishes with the site (sound familiar). Having attended many of his presentations on the subject it is clear that he is flying a kite on this. The securing of Grade 2* listed status will defeat much of his plans - although in itself it will not stop the conversion to housing. His main aim now is to demonstrate that as a leisure facility it is unsustainable and justify a change of use.
The fact Conrans volunteered to get involved shows the architectural importance of the site.
The one concern I have as a resident of saltdean is that those who are running the campaign are not being 'inclusive' in doing this. It's a bit like Blott on the Landscape in as much as there are a small, hard working and well meaning, group - but almost a closed shop - who are doing this. There are many people with good skills that i know locally who have offered help, support and professional skills/guidance who have been sidelined and ignored.
Some of this has been for political reasons I think, as the local councillors are very close to the Save the Lido group and were the former council leader (mary mears), chair of planning committee (Linda Hyde) and cabinet member in charge of leisure, sport and services (David Smith). They have resisted scrutiny and those who've wanted to scrutinise have been resisted. You cannot tell me that with those three main council bodies covered, that the legal issues with the leaseholder couldn't have been progressed quicker.
There's also a need for the Saltdean Residents Association, Saltdean Community association (who lease large chunks of the building and offer many good local activities there, despite the poor standard of the building and constant harassment/financial costs it brings), to all be united together and there has been already some disjointed sniping in the argus letter page between them.
Of note is that Liz Lee who is on the SCA and actually does a really good job, was also a Lib Dem councillor on Lewes District Council and a member of the cabinet that voted against and constantly opposed the Albion at Falmer - I've had to find a way to forgive (if not forget) with her. The Residents association is headed by John Carden who is a perennial environmental campaigner and labour candidate for lost causes in East saltdean and Telscombe.
So I wish the campaign group well - it deserves the publicity, support and funding but there is more to this than meets the eye in my view and the role of the council will be critical in this and they all need to work together in a harmonious fashion in the same way as the many Albion factions managed to in our battle.
The fact Conrans volunteered to get involved shows the architectural importance of the site.
The one concern I have as a resident of saltdean is that those who are running the campaign are not being 'inclusive' in doing this. It's a bit like Blott on the Landscape in as much as there are a small, hard working and well meaning, group - but almost a closed shop - who are doing this. There are many people with good skills that i know locally who have offered help, support and professional skills/guidance who have been sidelined and ignored.
Some of this has been for political reasons I think, as the local councillors are very close to the Save the Lido group and were the former council leader (mary mears), chair of planning committee (Linda Hyde) and cabinet member in charge of leisure, sport and services (David Smith). They have resisted scrutiny and those who've wanted to scrutinise have been resisted. You cannot tell me that with those three main council bodies covered, that the legal issues with the leaseholder couldn't have been progressed quicker.
There's also a need for the Saltdean Residents Association, Saltdean Community association (who lease large chunks of the building and offer many good local activities there, despite the poor standard of the building and constant harassment/financial costs it brings), to all be united together and there has been already some disjointed sniping in the argus letter page between them.
Of note is that Liz Lee who is on the SCA and actually does a really good job, was also a Lib Dem councillor on Lewes District Council and a member of the cabinet that voted against and constantly opposed the Albion at Falmer - I've had to find a way to forgive (if not forget) with her. The Residents association is headed by John Carden who is a perennial environmental campaigner and labour candidate for lost causes in East saltdean and Telscombe.
So I wish the campaign group well - it deserves the publicity, support and funding but there is more to this than meets the eye in my view and the role of the council will be critical in this and they all need to work together in a harmonious fashion in the same way as the many Albion factions managed to in our battle.