PRESS RELEASE THURSDAY 24 NOVEMBER
As well as ignoring the advice of two planning inspectors, the Society believes that John Prescott has not followed the Government's own policies for the protection of the Downs.
"We know that lovers of the Downs would be horrified by the impact, if the stadium were to be constructed at Falmer. It would damage the beautiful wide sweep of the Downs, close the gap between Brighton and Falmer, and inevitably result in Falmer Village being swolled into the Brighton and Hove conurbation".
It is so important to the Society to try to ensure that this decision is quashed, that it will be joining with the Dsitrict Council as a party to the High Court action.
In more detail, the Society's position is as follows:
1. The Society is one of the main objectors to a proposal by Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club to build a new stadium at Falmer, on the eastern edge of Brighton, which includes land in Lewes District that is required for a large transport interchange. The site is within the Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and we hope that it will be included in the South Downs National Park. The Government's policy is that the landscape and scenic beauty of such areas should enjoy the highest degree of protection, and that major development should not be permitted within them other than in the most exceptional circumstances.
2. A Planning Inquiry was held into the proposal in 2003. It lasted for some nine weeks, and during it, comprehensive arguments were put forward both for and against all aspects of the proposed development. The Inquiry was followed by some extremely thorough inspections of the site and surrounding areas. In his Report,the Inspector described the site as an integral part of an attractive and unbroken sweep of downland marking the edge of the Brighton connurbation, and concluded that, because of its scale, mass and height (28 metres), the proposed stadium would cause significant damage to the landscape from a wide range of viewpoints, including some quite distant ones. His overall conclusion was that the proposed development would be in direct conflict with the Government's policies for the protection of the landscape and scenic beauty of AONB's, and that the objections to it were overwhelming. A second Inspector, who was sitting with him, reached essentially the same conclusions.
3. Nevertheless, John Prescott, who at the time had Ministerial responsibility for planning matters, granted permission for the proposed development in October 2005. The Society believes that there are important errors and omissions in the decision letter, and that various aspects of the Government's own planning policies have not been properly applied, or even disregarded. We have therefore joined forces with Lewes District Council and Falmer Parish Council in an application to the High Court for the decision to be quashed, something that only the Court can do.
4. Government lawyers have now conceded that there is one significant factual error in the decision letter, and they would be willing for the decision to be quashed on this specific ground. However, there are 15 other grounds of appeal raising other important issues, and Government lawyers have not so far been willing to make any further concessions on them. It seems increasingly likely that there will need to be a full hearing into all of the grounds of appeal ( this has now been listed for December 5 and 6, 2006).
5. If John Prescott's decision is quashed, the case will go back to the appropriate Minister (now Ruth Kelly) to be re-determined. The Society will probably be invited to make further written representations, but we hope that it is not going to be necessary for the Inquiry to be re-opened.
6. The Society is not prepared to allow the Downs to be regarded by neighbouring urban authorities as a convenient landbank for projects that they regard as desireable. In the Society's view, the amount of harm that the proposed stadium would cause to the natural beauty and amenities of the Downs would be wholly unacceptable, and cannot be justified.
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South Downs Society Office - 01798 875073
Spokesperson - Hazel McKay - 01273 733024