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£140,000 spent on Falmer fight
10:55am Thursday 26th July 2007
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Lewes District Council has spent £140,000 on lawyers to fight plans for Albion's Falmer stadium, The Argus can reveal.
Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show that during the past five years £138,988 has been forked out trying to stop the 22,000 seater ground.
The cash could have paid for eight extra bin men in Lewes for one year.
In February 2003, a four-month inquiry kicked off the Albion's bid to build in the area of outstanding natural beauty.
Lewes council spent just under £60,000 that year on consulting external lawyers - over and above work carried out in-house.
In July 2004, the planning inspector ripped apart the Albion's case for a stadium, leaving the club's dreams in tatters.
But former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott threw the club a lifeline by reopening the case.
The second inquiry was launched in February 2005, concluding with a "yes" decision by Mr Prescott.
But just a few weeks later a mistake emerged in the report and Lewes announced a High Court challenge in November 2005.
The case was dropped in October 2006, less than a day before the High Court appearance, with the quashing of Mr Prescott's decision.
Yesterday, after a decade without a permanent home, the Government finally gave the go-ahead to the plans.
Lewes spent almost £50,000 in the year ending April 2006, an extra £25,000 in the 12 months to April 2007 and £5,000 alone in the past few months. Supporters of the club have been critical of the district councils use of public money to fight the proposed stadium.
Councillor Paul Gander said: "The Lib Dems do not want it in Falmer and that is it. They have wasted taxpayers' money. More people in Lewes support the stadium than are against it."
Roz South, of the Seagulls Party, added: "The opposition has fought a long battle and I hope they just accept that a stadium is going to be built. It is a lost cause."
Ms South believes the total expenditure is likely to be in excess of £140,000, given the time spent by the council's own employees is not factored in. She said: "It must have cost them at least £200,000 to fund all of this and the stadium is going to be built at Falmer anyway."
A council spokeswoman pointed out that funds used to overturn Mr Prescott's decision will be reimbursed by the Government.
Your Say YourArgus
Easy 10, says...
11:09am Thu 26 Jul 07
Paul, Brighton Seafront says...
11:13am Thu 26 Jul 07
They really should have cosulted the electorate before spending these sums.
If you also factor in how much time and energyu has been spent on fighting this case, I imagine that many hundreds/thousands of councillor manhours have been used, plus other expenses?
Claire, Lewes says...
11:19am Thu 26 Jul 07
Easy 10, says...
11:51am Thu 26 Jul 07
Claire wrote:Unfortunately Claire, LDC are simply not interested in listening to their constituents opinions on Falmer. They made a unilateral decision to oppose the stadium, despite the fact that the stadium itself isn't even actually within their district (its only a portion of the coach park that encroaches on the border of LDC's jurisdiction). Then when the decision went against them in 2005, they made another behind-closed-doors decision to appeal against it. Again, the opinions and wishes of LDC's constiuents and taxpayers were disregarded. Around this time, over 5,000 people in Lewes signed a petition in support of the stadium, urging their council to drop the appeal. This, of course, also fell on deaf ears. What we have here is a small group of elected councellors who decided to mount their own crusade againsty the football club, regardless of the overwhelming opinion and weight of argument in support of the stadium.
When are my council going to listen to us and stop wasting tax payers money on fighting this lost cause. It's disgusting . They should resign really and if they do appeal then there will be some very serious moments for them to face. Disgraceful all of it
They should be ASHAMED of themselves.
Neil, Peacehaven says...
12:08pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Paul Gibbs, Brighton says...
12:21pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Easy 10, says...
12:26pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Paul, Brighton Seafront says...
12:28pm Thu 26 Jul 07
You haver to question why the Falmer residents do not want the stadium.
The irony is that the only part of the stadium to fall in Lewes District is the coach park, which is provided to support sustainable transport measures. The stadium is being built within the boundaries of Brighton & Hove.
There is no shame for the club, fans and government as far as I am concerned. We have approached this correctly and followed the book. Can the same be said for LDC?
hm, peacehaven says...
12:33pm Thu 26 Jul 07
These coucillors need to be sacked now.
Why didnt the Albion just move the part that overlaps back into the brighton boundary. A bit of jigging about. this this money would not have been WASTED AND THE STATDUIM WOULD BE UP AND RUNNING BY NOW.
SACK THE COUNCIL OR BE VOTED OUT. GO ON WRITE TO THEM AND DISPLAY YOUR UTTER DISGUST. PEOPLE NEED TO STAND UP AND FIGHT AGAINST THESE MEN AND WOMEN IN GRAY SUITS.
Janet Pickett, Lewes says...
12:43pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Paul, Brighton Seafront says...
12:49pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Janet Pickett wrote:We had a referendum, Ms Pickett and the majority were in favour of a stadium and a stadium at Falmer.
Has anyone thought to ask Brighton City Council how much they have spent on obtaining a Yes Decision for the Albion? It isnot just the residents of Falmer who will be affected, it will have a huge impact on Woodingdean & Rottingdean.
Incidentally, what huge impact are you expecting for Woodingdean and Rottingdean?
sean, brighton says...
12:53pm Thu 26 Jul 07
If Brighton and Hove need a football stadium then it should be built in Brighton or Hove.
I think this has been the opponents' problem all along. They all seem to be under the complete misapprehension that the stadium is being built in the village of Falmer. As the rest of us who get our facts straight know all too well the stadium is being built NEAR to the village of Falmer WITHIN the city of Brighton & Hove. In my book that has NOTHING to do with Falmer Parish or Lewes District Council. They should poke their dark ages noses elsewhere...
James, southwick says...
1:04pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Bob, Lewes says...
1:09pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Phil, Telscombe Cliffs says...
1:13pm Thu 26 Jul 07
nick, Woodingdean says...
1:16pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Septicman, Brighton says...
1:29pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Eddy, Hove says...
1:32pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Rob, Mile Oak says...
1:38pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Easy 10, says...
1:39pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Phil wrote:A new traffic interchange and upgrade of this junction is within the overall plans, and has recently had a £5.5m grant from the government to help pay for it.
With the Stadium being built, now is also the time to sort out the A27/Falmer Junction to ease the traffic congestion that will be caused!
Hurrah !
Paul, Brighton Seafront says...
1:44pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Septicman wrote:Septic, B&H council didn't legally support the scheme until after planning permission was granted. How can they have spent double that of LDC?
If the Argus were to make some enquiries of the council in Brighton & Hove, they would find they have spent at least double that of LDC.
spongebob, Brighton says...
1:45pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Janet Pickett wrote:
Has anyone thought to ask Brighton City Council how much they have spent on obtaining a Yes Decision for the Albion? It isnot just the residents of Falmer who will be affected, it will have a huge impact on Woodingdean & Rottingdean.
It isnot just the residents of Falmer who will be affected, it will have a huge impact on Woodingdean & Rottingdean.How??
Buzzer, Brighton says...
1:53pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Septicman wrote:Tell you what, you ignorant, rambling cackbadger. There's something called the Freedom of Information Act where YOU can ask for that info. I dare you, I double dare you to find out.
If the Argus were to make some enquiries of the council in Brighton & Hove, they would find they have spent at least double that of LDC.
And I'll bet you £50 that you're wrong.
Put up or shut up.
Storer68, Hassocks says...
2:00pm Thu 26 Jul 07
So where was Lewes Disctrict Council's DEMOCRATIC MANDATE to spend their council tax payers money opposing it.........
Septicman, Brighton says...
2:06pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Easy 10, says...
2:10pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Hmmm ?
gary, worthing says...
2:12pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Septicman, Brighton says...
2:13pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Easy 10 wrote:I don't need to. Even if I did, you wouldn't believe me. So use your noddle and go and have a look for yourself.
Well being as its YOU, Septicman, making these wild claims about Brighton & Hove City Council spending double that of LDC, how about you back up YOUR assertions with some E-V-I-D-E-N-C-E ? Hmmm ?
Easy 10, says...
2:18pm Thu 26 Jul 07
But YOU are the one making these claims, so its not really down to me to go checking your facts is it ? Present the evidence (a link perhaps ?) or I will regard your extravagant claims of B&HCC's costs with the same pinch of salt I do with every other piece of drivel you come out with on here.
FUBAR, Brighton says...
2:19pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Storer68 wrote:A mandate from who? I've never been asked and most people in Brighton don't care if there is a football team or not. I trust that the team will be repaying all the money the council has spent suporting them.
The difference here is that Brighton & Hove City Council had a DEMOCRATIC MANDATE to spend the money as the the peple of Brighton & hove HAD VOTED in favour of a community stadium being sited within its boundaries at Falmer.
So where was Lewes Disctrict Council's DEMOCRATIC MANDATE to spend their council tax payers money opposing it.........
Paul, Brighton Seafront says...
2:35pm Thu 26 Jul 07
FUBAR wrote:Other than attracting people into Brighton during matchdays and providing an award winning community scheme?
Storer68 wrote: The difference here is that Brighton & Hove City Council had a DEMOCRATIC MANDATE to spend the money as the the peple of Brighton & hove HAD VOTED in favour of a community stadium being sited within its boundaries at Falmer. So where was Lewes Disctrict Council's DEMOCRATIC MANDATE to spend their council tax payers money opposing it.........A mandate from who? I've never been asked and most people in Brighton don't care if there is a football team or not. I trust that the team will be repaying all the money the council has spent suporting them.
Large Al, Brighton says...
2:38pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Figures presented at the Public Inquiry, which were not challanged suggested the stadium would bring in £10m a year to the city. Even if the reality ended up bring that that was double the claim, and Septicman's spurious, unfounded claim about BHCC's £280,000 legal bill, it would suggest that the club and the stadium would repay the City Council's costs in a matter of months.
BTW, where is your evidence that most people don't care if there is a football team or not? The fact is, there are more people do want a football team than those who don't, so why are those who don't care getting so het up?
Easy 10, says...
2:42pm Thu 26 Jul 07
rob, mile oak says...
2:43pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Paul Gibbs wrote:Paul - The stadium IS in the boundaries of Brighton & Hove just the same as Falmer School and Falmer Station. Please check your facts. The only element of the stadium which is not within the B&H boundary is the small coach park, which is on the other side of the road.
Lewes District Council have fought against the stadium because the residents of the village of Falmer do not want it. Falmer residents interests should come first since it will be on their doorstep. This has been overlooked too often and the government have been listening to the wrong people. If Brighton and Hove need a football stadium then it should be built in Brighton or Hove. Shame on this selfish club, shame on the selfish fans and shame on the idiotic government for giving the go ahead.
FUBAR, Brighton says...
2:53pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Large Al wrote:The evidence that most people don't care if there is a team or not can be measured by the tickets sold each game. And I was in Brighton and have still not been asked. I don't care how many peple come into the city for each game, it benefits me not at all. I don't own a shop or restaurant and don't work in one so gain no benefit except travel problems on game days, it's not like my council tax will go down every time they win is it...
FUBAR, if you were in Brighton & Hove when the planning application went in, you were askled your opinion.
Figures presented at the Public Inquiry, which were not challanged suggested the stadium would bring in £10m a year to the city. Even if the reality ended up bring that that was double the claim, and Septicman\'s spurious, unfounded claim about BHCC\'s £280,000 legal bill, it would suggest that the club and the stadium would repay the City Council\'s costs in a matter of months.
BTW, where is your evidence that most people don\'t care if there is a football team or not? The fact is, there are more people do want a football team than those who don\'t, so why are those who don\'t care getting so het up?
Easy 10, says...
3:03pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Gosh, maybe those NIMBY's were RIGHT you know.
Paul, Worthing says...
3:19pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Easy 10, says...
3:28pm Thu 26 Jul 07
As has been proved time and time again with other clubs moving new stadiums, give people a proper, modern, 21st century arena and a football club with a future on an upward curve, and the crowds will come back in droves.
Paul, Brighton Seafront says...
3:29pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Septicman, Brighton says...
3:43pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Easy 10 wrote:Regardless, I'll still be right. If you just take 5 mins. the info can be yours.
Septicman, you're certainly right on one thing. If you told me what day it is, I'd check a calender. But YOU are the one making these claims, so its not really down to me to go checking your facts is it ? Present the evidence (a link perhaps ?) or I will regard your extravagant claims of B&HCC's costs with the same pinch of salt I do with every other piece of drivel you come out with on here.
Tim, Eastbourne says...
3:52pm Thu 26 Jul 07
On another issue, detractors who point at attendances of only 6,000 have completely missed the point. It is because Withdean is a wholly inadequate and uncomfortable venue that thousands of people who expect decent facilities in this day and age are biding their time. Come Falmer, I am confident that season ticket sales alone will easily exceed current average attendances. Add to that people paying match by match and visiting supporters and you will I'm sure see average attendances in excess of the 12,000 budgeted by the club.
Easy 10, says...
3:58pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Fred, Lewes says...
4:07pm Thu 26 Jul 07
gary wrote:A bit rich coming from someone who lives in Worthing!
SCUM LEWES DISTRICT COUNCIL NO OTHER WORD
Easy 10, says...
4:18pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Rob, Brighton says...
4:22pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Paul, Worthing says...
4:26pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Easy 10 wrote:Sorry Easy, I was aiming my comment at FUBAR. I'd forgotten about the west bit of the stand - been a while since I've able to get to a game. You're dead right about the facilities although it still felt good on the first day back (that and walloping Mansfield 6-0)...
The ground currently holds about 9,000 now Paul. The main reason it doesn't sell out any more is because the unsheltered, shambolic facilities at Withdean are utterly pathetic. Unsurpisingly, not many people are prepared to fork out £25 per ticket to sit half a mile from the pitch, watching 3rd division football whilst exposed to all the elements. As has been proved time and time again with other clubs moving new stadiums, give people a proper, modern, 21st century arena and a football club with a future on an upward curve, and the crowds will come back in droves.
Easy 10, says...
4:30pm Thu 26 Jul 07
On the whole, I think I've steered clear of being offensive and abusive on here. As for a bit of sarcasm though, well I'm guilty as charged.
S, Sussex says...
4:32pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Easy 10, says...
4:40pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Paul wrote:Okey doke Paul.
Easy 10 wrote: The ground currently holds about 9,000 now Paul. The main reason it doesn\'t sell out any more is because the unsheltered, shambolic facilities at Withdean are utterly pathetic. Unsurpisingly, not many people are prepared to fork out £25 per ticket to sit half a mile from the pitch, watching 3rd division football whilst exposed to all the elements. As has been proved time and time again with other clubs moving new stadiums, give people a proper, modern, 21st century arena and a football club with a future on an upward curve, and the crowds will come back in droves.Sorry Easy, I was aiming my comment at FUBAR. I\'d forgotten about the west bit of the stand - been a while since I\'ve able to get to a game. You\'re dead right about the facilities although it still felt good on the first day back (that and walloping Mansfield 6-0)...
Yes, I remember the euphoria of that first game at Withdean (was it really 8 years ago ? gawd). Having the team back in Brighton after 2 years of commuting to that miserable little grief-hole in Kent was enough to make it party-time that day. The 6-0 scoreline was a magnificent cherry on top though, wasn't it.
Great memories.
Graham Hannaford, hove says...
4:40pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Easy 10, says...
4:52pm Thu 26 Jul 07
As one of our more senior football thugs, perhaps you could take time out to educate some of our younger fans, perhaps even the Junior Seagulls, in the ways of modern football yobbery and hooliganism. How about a grafitti spray-paint workshop on the side of the church ? Or perhaps some defication lessons by the pond ? How about armed robbery courses at the farmshop, or a seminar on how to beat the living daylights out of a pregnant swan ?
We football fans are a violently resourceful bunch after all.
Phil, PPL says...
5:01pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Hopefully they will only stop there for a **** on the way home!
Peter, Brighton says...
5:11pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Buzzer, says...
6:05pm Thu 26 Jul 07
yes, a human right to express an opinion. It's also a human right to ask for proof if someone is blatantly lying through their front teeth about something. Septicman has peddled lie after lie after lie on this subject. We ask repeatedly for evidence and he goes coy. If you were being repeatedly lied about by someone who has openly stated that he wants something you love finished, you'd lose your rag too. We have held protest after protest after peaceful protest. No-one has EVER been arrested or questioned by police for physical or verbal intimidation of the NIMBYS so kindly keep your prejudices about football fans in check.
And for the record Septicman is actually a CACKBASGER. The proof is out there if you just spent 5 minutes looking.
Paul, Worthing says...
6:09pm Thu 26 Jul 07
mervyn1958, Crowborough says...
7:03pm Thu 26 Jul 07
rocky, saltdean says...
7:24pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Septicman, Brighton says...
7:30pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Buzzer wrote:If you stopped ranting and started thinking, you would realise that the place to find the information as an ordinary member of the public is the most obvious place to look.
Peter
yes, a human right to express an opinion. It's also a human right to ask for proof if someone is blatantly lying through their front teeth about something. Septicman has peddled lie after lie after lie on this subject. We ask repeatedly for evidence and he goes coy. If you were being repeatedly lied about by someone who has openly stated that he wants something you love finished, you'd lose your rag too. We have held protest after protest after peaceful protest. No-one has EVER been arrested or questioned by police for physical or verbal intimidation of the NIMBYS so kindly keep your prejudices about football fans in check.
And for the record Septicman is actually a CACKBASGER. The proof is out there if you just spent 5 minutes looking.
In terms of lies, as an ordinary member of the public I have looked at both sides of the argument and interpreted what I believe I see, just like anyone else. I will not be browbeaten into believing something that appears completely illogical.
Septicman, Brighton says...
7:36pm Thu 26 Jul 07
rocky wrote:If the ground had been proposed near to a populated area, it would have received huge opposition. No-one in their right mind would want a stadium next to them, unless it was a swap for a waste transfer station or incinerator of course.
lets be honest, wherever the ground was , it would create opposition , still say waterhall would have been best option.
Buzzer, says...
8:43pm Thu 26 Jul 07
Septicman wrote:
rocky wrote: lets be honest, wherever the ground was , it would create opposition , s
Nick Bowman, Brighton says...
11:02am Thu 26 Jul 07