Public Enquiry to be re-opened - from ODPM website

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Razi

Active member
Aug 3, 2003
1,622
Stevenage
http://www.odpm.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2004_0184

INQUIRY TO BE REOPENED INTO PROPOSALS FOR STADIUM FOR BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION FOOTBALL CLUB

The public inquiry into proposals for a new stadium for Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club will be re-opened, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has announced in a letter published today.


The original public inquiry was held between 18 February and 23 October, 2003. The Planning Inspector recommended that permission should be refused.

But while the Inspector's report was under consideration by the Secretary of State, another Inspector's Report - on the draft Brighton and Hove Local Plan - was published.

In light of this, the Secretary of State invited further representations, and as part of this process the applicants sent him detailed information on the availability of alternative sites for the stadium discussed at the planning inquiry.

Having considered these representations, the Secretary of State has concluded that he should seek further evidence concerning the availability or otherwise of alternative sites and that the most effective way of obtaining this evidence is to re-open the public inquiry.

Notes to Editors



Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club applied for planning permission to Brighton and Hove City Council and Lewes District Council for the development, of a new stadium at Falmer with a coach and bus interchange and improved access for the University of Brighton. There were four planning applications for determination. The proposed site lies within the Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The applications were called in for determination by the Secretary of State.

The proposals are supported by Brighton and Hove City Council, Sport England, but opposed by Lewes District Council, the Countryside Agency and Local Parish Councils and the Council for the Protection of Rural England.

In a letter issued today, the Secretary of State has asked for evidence on the availability and suitability for the proposed development of a number of sites, each assessed against specific criteria. He has also asked whether there are any other sites that could be suitable, having regard to these criteria.

The Secretary of State has published the Inspector's report and this will be part of the evidence for the new inquiry. However, the Secretary of State does not propose to form a view on the report until he has received and considered the report of the second Inspector.

The Planning Inspectorate in Bristol is making arrangements for the re-opening of the inquiry. This will be done as soon as possible.
 








BRIGHT ON Q

Well-known member
Jul 5, 2003
9,415
I would have taken this when i heard the news flash on SCR this morning.
 


Sorrel

Well-known member
Jul 5, 2003
3,149
Back in East Sussex
I'm not convinced this is good news yet. Who is running the new inquiry? Is it the same people who did the last one?

What happens if the new inquiry decides that nowhere is suitable? What happens if it decides that it prefers one of the other sites - do we have to have a whole new set of inquiries for that new site?

I can see this continuing for longer than 4 months yet.
 


Bwian

Kiss my (_!_)
Jul 14, 2003
15,898
BRIGHT ON Q said:
I would have taken this when i heard the news flash on SCR this morning.

Me too-my first reaction was to yell at the Blue Rinser gloating on SCR.

Not rational I know but I'd have burst a blood vessel if I hadn't screamed abuse at her:D

Now, having digested REAL reactions from the Albion, Tim Carder et al, I'm actually quite happy. If we'd have got an out and out YES-we'd be open to judicial revue. This way, the onus is on the NIMBYs to 100% prove the suitability of another site (f*** knows where they're gonna find one of them) not on the Albion to prove the suitability of Falmer. We've already done that.

The new enquiry will be easier too...we know the numbskulls we're dealing with.

I think I can hear bulldozers being tuned up right now....
 


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