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Falmer: Concern over countryside
Phil Beldon, countryside services manager of the South downs Joint Committee, said: "Our initial response is our concern about the impact of the building on the edge of an area of outstanding natural beauty.
"A democratic decision has now been made and the next move is to ensure any development is done with sensitivity.
Tim Carder, of the Brighton and Hove Albion supporters' club, said: "I am delighted - let's hope it is full steam ahead.
"This stadium is the be all and end all for the club."
11:03am Tuesday 24th July 2007
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CommentPosted by: Cap'n Pugwash, The galley on 11:23am Tue 24 Jul 07
So TWO massive Unis don't count then?
So TWO massive Unis don't count then?
Posted by: Paul, Brighton Seafront on 11:29am Tue 24 Jul 07
"A democratic decision has now been made and the next move is to ensure any development is done with sensitivity"
Well said, a shame that other opponents are not as sensible.
Maybe I am being completely biased and blinkered, but I can't see how this development will have a detrimental effect on the downlands.
Now is the time to join forces and work with each other to ensure that the stadium is a success and there are no negative impacts.
"A democratic decision has now been made and the next move is to ensure any development is done with sensitivity"
Well said, a shame that other opponents are not as sensible.
Maybe I am being completely biased and blinkered, but I can't see how this development will have a detrimental effect on the downlands.
Now is the time to join forces and work with each other to ensure that the stadium is a success and there are no negative impacts.
Posted by: Alan, Hove on 11:29am Tue 24 Jul 07
[quote]So TWO massive Unis don't count then?
[/quote]
...Or the 6 lane A27 or the Falmer Road Interchange?
So TWO massive Unis don't count then?
...Or the 6 lane A27 or the Falmer Road Interchange?
Posted by: sean, brighton on 11:39am Tue 24 Jul 07
[quote]...Or the 6 lane A27 or the Falmer Road Interchange?[/quote]
or the numerous industrial & housing estates that border other areas of ONB all over the country...
...Or the 6 lane A27 or the Falmer Road Interchange?
or the numerous industrial & housing estates that border other areas of ONB all over the country...
Posted by: Dave, Woodingdean on 11:43am Tue 24 Jul 07
Blimey! a sensible measured response from one of the people against the stadium. If only the other NIMBY tw@ts were so reasonable.
Blimey! a sensible measured response from one of the people against the stadium. If only the other NIMBY tw@ts were so reasonable.
Posted by: Scorpion, Newhaven on 12:43pm Tue 24 Jul 07
There have been genuine concerns over the AONB. I don't think your triumphalism does you any credit. They had concerns - they were overruled. Fair enough. Be nice to loosers - it may be you one day.
There have been genuine concerns over the AONB. I don't think your triumphalism does you any credit. They had concerns - they were overruled. Fair enough. Be nice to loosers - it may be you one day.
Posted by: Dave, Woolwich on 1:10pm Tue 24 Jul 07
[quote][bold]Scorpion[/bold] wrote:
There have been genuine concerns over the AONB. I don't think your triumphalism does you any credit. They had concerns - they were overruled. Fair enough. Be nice to loosers - it may be you one day. [/quote] I think this gentlemans good grace has been acknowledged, but I must say that in this case beauty is most certainly in the eye of the beholder, as beautiful Falmer field ain't, no matter how you try to dress it up.
Scorpion wrote:
There have been genuine concerns over the AONB. I don't think your triumphalism does you any credit. They had concerns - they were overruled. Fair enough. Be nice to loosers - it may be you one day.
I think this gentlemans good grace has been acknowledged, but I must say that in this case beauty is most certainly in the eye of the beholder, as beautiful Falmer field ain't, no matter how you try to dress it up.
Posted by: Seagull, Sussex by the Sea on 1:20pm Tue 24 Jul 07
[quote][bold]Scorpion[/bold] wrote:
There have been genuine concerns over the AONB. I don't think your triumphalism does you any credit. They had concerns - they were overruled. Fair enough. Be nice to loosers - it may be you one day. [/quote] Our stadium has been delayed by people knowing they're wasting tax payers money, and we should be gracious?
Scorpion wrote:
There have been genuine concerns over the AONB. I don't think your triumphalism does you any credit. They had concerns - they were overruled. Fair enough. Be nice to loosers - it may be you one day.
Our stadium has been delayed by people knowing they're wasting tax payers money, and we should be gracious?
Posted by: Simon, New York City on 2:20pm Tue 24 Jul 07
This is great news. When I was over visiting parents in Newhaven 8 weeks ago I drove past Falmer and noticed 2 bonfires belching their smoke across the 'unspoilt' countryside. Talk about being two-faced! Lets build the most environmentally friendly stadium in the country and a one-fingered salute to LDC.
This is great news. When I was over visiting parents in Newhaven 8 weeks ago I drove past Falmer and noticed 2 bonfires belching their smoke across the 'unspoilt' countryside. Talk about being two-faced! Lets build the most environmentally friendly stadium in the country and a one-fingered salute to LDC.
Posted by: Dave BHA, Hove on 5:20pm Tue 24 Jul 07
[quote][bold]Seagull[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Scorpion[/bold] wrote: There have been genuine concerns over the AONB. I don\'t think your triumphalism does you any credit. They had concerns - they were overruled. Fair enough. Be nice to loosers - it may be you one day. [/quote] Our stadium has been delayed by people knowing they\'re wasting tax payers money, and we should be gracious?[/quote] Well said, and they are even thinking of putting in an appeal. Gracious - my a*se!! They should be named and shamed and sent the bill for a pathetice hollow arguement that only held up the process becuase of a typo error!
Seagull wrote:
Scorpion wrote: There have been genuine concerns over the AONB. I don\'t think your triumphalism does you any credit. They had concerns - they were overruled. Fair enough. Be nice to loosers - it may be you one day.
Our stadium has been delayed by people knowing they\'re wasting tax payers money, and we should be gracious?
Well said, and they are even thinking of putting in an appeal. Gracious - my a*se!! They should be named and shamed and sent the bill for a pathetice hollow arguement that only held up the process becuase of a typo error!
Posted by: dave, sompting on 6:25pm Tue 24 Jul 07
Phil beldon - you sir are not a cackbadger. Your views and comments a remuch appreciated apart from the fact that surely people have to stop calling the field an AONB
Phil beldon - you sir are not a cackbadger. Your views and comments a remuch appreciated apart from the fact that surely people have to stop calling the field an AONB
Posted by: tony tibbs, shoreham on 7:23pm Tue 24 Jul 07
falmer stadium, talk to me. give it up ldc, u are losers.
falmer stadium, talk to me. give it up ldc, u are losers.
Posted by: Cap'n Pugwash, Still in t'hostelry on 8:38pm Wed 1 Aug 07
[quote][bold]Scorpion[/bold] wrote:
There have been genuine concerns over the AONB. I don't think your triumphalism does you any credit. They had concerns - they were overruled. Fair enough. Be nice to loosers - it may be you one day.
[/quote] I'm sorry but the concerns for an AONB are totally artificial. Falmer's NIMBYs are not concerned with AONBs-they are simply using ths ruse to disguise their anti-football bigotry. If they were concerned about AONBs they wouldn't keep offering up alternative sites that really are more worthy of AONB status.
After 8 years of lies, deceit, fake photos and 'the sky is falling' hysteria we re supposed to be gracious?
I intend to gloat until I can't gloat any more because their bigotry has cost our local football club millions in lost revenue and who knows how many future fans because we're stuck in the shitehole that is Withdean because of their delaying tactics.
Scorpion wrote:
There have been genuine concerns over the AONB. I don't think your triumphalism does you any credit. They had concerns - they were overruled. Fair enough. Be nice to loosers - it may be you one day.
I'm sorry but the concerns for an AONB are totally artificial. Falmer's NIMBYs are not concerned with AONBs-they are simply using ths ruse to disguise their anti-football bigotry. If they were concerned about AONBs they wouldn't keep offering up alternative sites that really are more worthy of AONB status.
After 8 years of lies, deceit, fake photos and 'the sky is falling' hysteria we re supposed to be gracious?
I intend to gloat until I can't gloat any more because their bigotry has cost our local football club millions in lost revenue and who knows how many future fans because we're stuck in the shitehole that is Withdean because of their delaying tactics.
Posted by: Dom Robinson, Brighton on 2:00pm Thu 2 Aug 07
Being brought up in Falmer from the age of 18 months, and being someone who has literally hand planted and worked on the farm land that is in question I have closer contact with the territory than most. Having also worked behind the bar at the old Concorde serving beer to the Football Club at it meetings as it went through the Goldstone horror I have also been a first hand witness to the travesties that the club has endured over the years. Since I left school I have lived in Brighton and many of my close friends have been supporters of the club so obviously we have had to park the discussion about Falmer since it is such an emotionally charged issue that there clearly was never going to be a rational an logical agreement between the parties. It literally has been a 'turf war'. I am pleased to say though that we rose above this one issue to remain friends. Football and ‘turf’ are not important enough to loose friends over.
It is sad, however, that there is only one openly biased journalistic viewpoint in Brighton since, if everything the Argus wrote was to be believed, those generations of people in Falmer who have an objection to having their village cut in half, developed, redeveloped and chewed up by the urban sprawl of Brighton, are all mad ‘nimbies’. It is also interesting to note that while far smaller, Falmer historically pre-dates Brighton, and many of the families in the village have been there for hundreds of years. It’s therefore hardly surprising that these so called 'nimbies' are defensive about having their way of life encroached upon by all and any developments – its not an anti football thing.
Indeed you may or may not be surprised to know but over my life my family, and the villagers in Falmer have fought dozens of planning applications for development in and around Falmer in an attempt to preserve their way of life and maintain a distinct boundary between their village and Brighton’s sprawl. It is hardly surprising that they feel 'trodden on' if you look at Falmer now and compare it to when I was a kid: it has been treated as if it wasn't there. It has always been the path of least resistance for green-field development since, by chance, the people of Falmer are not directly represented in Brighton because the boundary between Brighton and Lewes passes between the Village and the proposed development site. This actually made it an easier (despite the 10 year battle) target than Water-hall, Sheepcote or Toad Hole etc.. (‘scuze my spelling)
While there are planning proposals that state that the village will be left intact, and even others that seem not to know about the beautiful and ancient village and think that the university sites ARE Falmer, it is simple to see why the people there have fought so long to preserve their homes and lives, and most importantly the sense of rural country life that has been at the heart of the community in Falmer for many centuries. Now that rural life is going to be directly adjacent to that most Modern of things: A football stadium. No one in their right mind can possibly deny that this is a harsh juxtaposition. No more than building a Portsmouth Stadium in Hove would fit. That much is a simple fact. And while the visitors to the stadium will return to the sanctity of their homes elsewhere, the inhabitants of Falmer will remain juxtaposed to this development. Fancy an airport in your garden???
However, and trying to be considerate of the opposite point of view, I have to agree that, in the failing days of any other community spirit, Football is at least something that can give communities something to 'commune' with. In areas of urban deprivation this may be a positive thing. Although having traveled the country – to many areas of real urban deprivation - producing the live TV and video Conference League coverage for three years I have also regularly seen the very worst side of people that fanatical support can bring out when two communities violently clash over their choice of football team. It is this 'tribalism' that threatens some people, while simultaneously joining others. If you are on the outside of this 'tribe' it is very scary. Particularly if you are a small group who feel that you are not being listened to or considered – perhaps an analogy for the people in Falmer.
The aggressive viewpoints put forward in some discussions, particularly the one sided journalistic 'campaign' that has been whitewashed over Brighton by the Argus, has only served to entrench those in defence of their communities (on both sides). This is not, in my view, a way forward for either side. Falmer has become an obsession for Argus readers and Seagulls fans and I truly believe that better locations were missed and better options not taken simply because the 'pack' had already decided on Falmer and that was that.Tow the line or be relegated….
Finally, I also have to add, that for those who still think that Falmer has no beauty if it doesn’t have a stadium, and for those that simply can't see why the residents have an issue I say this: When I was a kid I lived in Falmer, in my mind in the country, a long way from Brighton. If the stadium ever does get to be built there then Falmer will have become a 'roundabout at the entrance to the car park for the Stadium'. It’s hardly surprising that the community there have fought to retain their dignity, livelihoods and community.
The Seagulls will, and has survived – the lack of stadium hasn’t killed off that over the past decade..
Falmer may be on the point of being lost forever and it will be irreplaceable. You will never convince me that football is as great as the countryside where I was bought up.
And not that it really matters to anyone else but I will never be able to bring my self to enter the stadium.
I am sure you understand.
Being brought up in Falmer from the age of 18 months, and being someone who has literally hand planted and worked on the farm land that is in question I have closer contact with the territory than most. Having also worked behind the bar at the old Concorde serving beer to the Football Club at it meetings as it went through the Goldstone horror I have also been a first hand witness to the travesties that the club has endured over the years. Since I left school I have lived in Brighton and many of my close friends have been supporters of the club so obviously we have had to park the discussion about Falmer since it is such an emotionally charged issue that there clearly was never going to be a rational an logical agreement between the parties. It literally has been a 'turf war'. I am pleased to say though that we rose above this one issue to remain friends. Football and ‘turf’ are not important enough to loose friends over.
It is sad, however, that there is only one openly biased journalistic viewpoint in Brighton since, if everything the Argus wrote was to be believed, those generations of people in Falmer who have an objection to having their village cut in half, developed, redeveloped and chewed up by the urban sprawl of Brighton, are all mad ‘nimbies’. It is also interesting to note that while far smaller, Falmer historically pre-dates Brighton, and many of the families in the village have been there for hundreds of years. It’s therefore hardly surprising that these so called 'nimbies' are defensive about having their way of life encroached upon by all and any developments – its not an anti football thing.
Indeed you may or may not be surprised to know but over my life my family, and the villagers in Falmer have fought dozens of planning applications for development in and around Falmer in an attempt to preserve their way of life and maintain a distinct boundary between their village and Brighton’s sprawl. It is hardly surprising that they feel 'trodden on' if you look at Falmer now and compare it to when I was a kid: it has been treated as if it wasn't there. It has always been the path of least resistance for green-field development since, by chance, the people of Falmer are not directly represented in Brighton because the boundary between Brighton and Lewes passes between the Village and the proposed development site. This actually made it an easier (despite the 10 year battle) target than Water-hall, Sheepcote or Toad Hole etc.. (‘scuze my spelling)
While there are planning proposals that state that the village will be left intact, and even others that seem not to know about the beautiful and ancient village and think that the university sites ARE Falmer, it is simple to see why the people there have fought so long to preserve their homes and lives, and most importantly the sense of rural country life that has been at the heart of the community in Falmer for many centuries. Now that rural life is going to be directly adjacent to that most Modern of things: A football stadium. No one in their right mind can possibly deny that this is a harsh juxtaposition. No more than building a Portsmouth Stadium in Hove would fit. That much is a simple fact. And while the visitors to the stadium will return to the sanctity of their homes elsewhere, the inhabitants of Falmer will remain juxtaposed to this development. Fancy an airport in your garden???
However, and trying to be considerate of the opposite point of view, I have to agree that, in the failing days of any other community spirit, Football is at least something that can give communities something to 'commune' with. In areas of urban deprivation this may be a positive thing. Although having traveled the country – to many areas of real urban deprivation - producing the live TV and video Conference League coverage for three years I have also regularly seen the very worst side of people that fanatical support can bring out when two communities violently clash over their choice of football team. It is this 'tribalism' that threatens some people, while simultaneously joining others. If you are on the outside of this 'tribe' it is very scary. Particularly if you are a small group who feel that you are not being listened to or considered – perhaps an analogy for the people in Falmer.
The aggressive viewpoints put forward in some discussions, particularly the one sided journalistic 'campaign' that has been whitewashed over Brighton by the Argus, has only served to entrench those in defence of their communities (on both sides). This is not, in my view, a way forward for either side. Falmer has become an obsession for Argus readers and Seagulls fans and I truly believe that better locations were missed and better options not taken simply because the 'pack' had already decided on Falmer and that was that.Tow the line or be relegated….
Finally, I also have to add, that for those who still think that Falmer has no beauty if it doesn’t have a stadium, and for those that simply can't see why the residents have an issue I say this: When I was a kid I lived in Falmer, in my mind in the country, a long way from Brighton. If the stadium ever does get to be built there then Falmer will have become a 'roundabout at the entrance to the car park for the Stadium'. It’s hardly surprising that the community there have fought to retain their dignity, livelihoods and community.
The Seagulls will, and has survived – the lack of stadium hasn’t killed off that over the past decade..
Falmer may be on the point of being lost forever and it will be irreplaceable. You will never convince me that football is as great as the countryside where I was bought up.
And not that it really matters to anyone else but I will never be able to bring my self to enter the stadium.
I am sure you understand.
Posted by: Cap'n Pugwash, Dry Dock on 10:03am Fri 3 Aug 07
I'm sure that I understand that you are completely out of touch with reality. Falmer was lost forever when two, that's TWO massive Unis were built next door while the A27 ploughed through it in spectacular fashion.
I think we can also understand why all media interviews on tv concerning the stadium bid are usually conducted showing anything other than the ACTUAL site...you have clearly abused your position and instructed/asked your media luvvie friends to distort the truth visually (and you have the nerve to talk of biased journalism?). Not once has any tv news report showed the actual site-I'd say you've done quite well out of biased journalism whilst the rest of the antis distort the facts in print.
So, yes, we do understand and it will be your loss to stay away from the East Brighton Community Stadium about to be built on the muddy field that rivals The Hanging Gardens of Babylon for beauty and importance.
I'm sure that I understand that you are completely out of touch with reality. Falmer was lost forever when two, that's TWO massive Unis were built next door while the A27 ploughed through it in spectacular fashion.
I think we can also understand why all media interviews on tv concerning the stadium bid are usually conducted showing anything other than the ACTUAL site...you have clearly abused your position and instructed/asked your media luvvie friends to distort the truth visually (and you have the nerve to talk of biased journalism?). Not once has any tv news report showed the actual site-I'd say you've done quite well out of biased journalism whilst the rest of the antis distort the facts in print.
So, yes, we do understand and it will be your loss to stay away from the East Brighton Community Stadium about to be built on the muddy field that rivals The Hanging Gardens of Babylon for beauty and importance.
Posted by: Dom Robinson, Brighton on 10:51am Fri 3 Aug 07
For the record Mr Pugwash, the world is a much bigger place than that and just because I have produced some live football coverage does not, sadly, give me the ability to 'instruct' the media luvvies and news reporters to do anything (in fact I am often oftent pleased to be instruted by them). Thankyou though for the acknowledgment that Falmer and the surrounding area are indeed an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
For the record Mr Pugwash, the world is a much bigger place than that and just because I have produced some live football coverage does not, sadly, give me the ability to 'instruct' the media luvvies and news reporters to do anything (in fact I am often oftent pleased to be instruted by them). Thankyou though for the acknowledgment that Falmer and the surrounding area are indeed an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Posted by: Cap'n Pugwash, Behind You on 8:06pm Tue 7 Aug 07
So Mr Robinson-we get to see the type of campaign that has been waged by Cuttress, DeVagi, Neighbour, Gardiner and their despicable toady MP-windbag Baker.
This hotel they keep claiming to have knowledge of? Can we ask them to go against everything they stand for and get them to tell the truth? It isn't too difficult-instead of making stories up, trying to frighten old biddies (for which they should be shot) they should stick strictly to the facts.
Facts such as NO Hotel plans for the stadium.
The field IS NOT an AONB.
There are no plans for mass development around the village of liars once the Brighton and Hove Community Stadium has been built. Notice the key phrase in the above? The BRIGHTON AND HOVE COMMUNITY STADIUM. Your version of Royston Vasey has no right interfering with B&H's planning processes.
So Mr Robinson-we get to see the type of campaign that has been waged by Cuttress, DeVagi, Neighbour, Gardiner and their despicable toady MP-windbag Baker.
This hotel they keep claiming to have knowledge of? Can we ask them to go against everything they stand for and get them to tell the truth? It isn't too difficult-instead of making stories up, trying to frighten old biddies (for which they should be shot) they should stick strictly to the facts.
Facts such as NO Hotel plans for the stadium.
The field IS NOT an AONB.
There are no plans for mass development around the village of liars once the Brighton and Hove Community Stadium has been built. Notice the key phrase in the above? The BRIGHTON AND HOVE COMMUNITY STADIUM. Your version of Royston Vasey has no right interfering with B&H's planning processes.
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