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Falmer appeal decision to be made today
11:53am Wednesday 15th August 2007
Brighton and Hove Albion will find out today whether opponents of the proposed Falmer stadium will launch an appeal.
One of the last remaining hurdles was removed when the South Downs Society today said it would not challenge the Government's decision to grant permission for the 22,500 seat arena.
Fans are now anxiously awaiting news from Falmer Parish Council, which also opposes the £50million development at Village Way North.
Parish councillor Simon Barnes told The Argus the council expected to make a statement to the Press this afternoon.
Coun Barnes refused to reveal the contents of the release but the council is expected to spell out whether it will appeal.
The South Downs Society decision not to appeal follows in the footsteps of Lewes District Council which swiftly decided against another costly legal battle.
Jacquetta Fewster, director of the South Downs Society, said "Our volunteers have campaigned tirelessly for many years but it is clear to us that further action by those who hold our countryside dear is futile in the face of the Governmentís determination.
"We will keep a close watch on this site. The developers have been instructed to fulfil certain conditions and the society will ensure that these are met.
"The backers of the Falmer Stadium and other schemes throughout the downs have been left in no doubt about one thing. The South Downs Society will always campaign forcefully against proposals which will damage our downs."
The society's decision was today welcomed by the club and stadium campaigners.
Albion chief executive Martin Perry said: "It's great news and we are very pleased. Again my message to Falmer council is simple - let's sit down and talk and make this work for all concerned."
Paul Samrah, chairman of the Falmer For All campaign, said: "I am delighted. The spotlight is now firmly on Falmer Parish Council. If your friends don't want to come to the party, there is not much of a party left. The time has to build bridges and begin working together."
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears moved to end a decade of uncertainty for Albion last month by approving plans for the stadium, but opponents still have until September 4 to try and derail the scheme.
The original decision to grant permission, made by John Prescott in October 2005, was quashed by the Government after it was revealed he made a mistake in the wording of the document.
Albion have been without a permanent home since 1997. The Goldstone Ground, in Hove, was sold off to developers by the club's previous owners before they were ousted by the current board.
Your Say YourArgus
Don Cropone, Brighton says...
12:05pm Wed 15 Aug 07
Dave, Woolwich says...
12:16pm Wed 15 Aug 07
Dave, Woolwich says...
12:18pm Wed 15 Aug 07
Dave wrote:spelling errors due to sneakily writing this at work - not cos I iz stoopid!
At the risk of being pilloried on here (bring it on) I have to say I do sympathise with the anti-Falmer lobby to a certain degree. They have stood up for what they believe is right and there is nothign wrong with that in a civilised society. I have said before we should now leave them to make their decision, with no undue pressure. But, I do wish the would now turn it in with there mis-represented facts. The foolwing comment: "Our volunteers have campaigned tirelessly for many years but it is clear to us that further action by those who hold our countryside dear is futile in the face of the Governmentís determination." Suggest that anyone in favour of it doesn't care about the downs, we do. Don't you dare accuse us of having some agenda to build all across the south downs when all we are asking is for a ground to be built in a muddy gap stuck between a couple of universities and a dual carriageway.
Peter, Gatwick says...
12:58pm Wed 15 Aug 07
Cap'n Pugwash, Near some Manky Pond says...
1:19pm Wed 15 Aug 07
Peter wrote:Peter-all of Sussex needs this stadium, not just The Albion and the City of Brighton and Hove. The county has been a sporting backwater for too long (despite SUSSEX CCC's titles and The Albion's too). Finally we might start seeing our sportsmen and women playing in a facility that we should have had decades ago,
Let\'s hope that FPC do the decent thing. Brighton, not just the Albion, needs this stadium which will bring work and huge prosperity to the area - all in return for a couple of muddy fields. The area has already been spoiled - this happened when the University was built together with the dual carriageway but at least the new stadium will be in harmony with the area.
Andrew, Guildford says...
1:26pm Wed 15 Aug 07
And when such a scheme that actually does damage the South Downs (and not a part brownfield part low grade arable site) comes along I'm sure that the general public will be four-square behind you!
Dave, Hove says...
1:32pm Wed 15 Aug 07
MCG, Hassocks says...
1:33pm Wed 15 Aug 07
The South Downs belong to the people of Sussex (and some of Hampshire) NOT the South Downs Society.
bob, brighton says...
1:38pm Wed 15 Aug 07
glasfryn, west Wales says...
2:00pm Wed 15 Aug 07
Cap'n Pugwash, on Cloud Nine says...
2:23pm Wed 15 Aug 07
bob wrote:All along we have asked all of you people 'with the sense' to propose a VIABLE alternative site. At no time has one of you come up with anywhere better than the site near Falmer. You've suggested places like Shoreham Harbour, Waterhall, Toad's Hole Valley, Sheepcote, Newhaven-Newhaven for crying out loud-Upper Beeding and on and on and on.
I don't think they will appeal, which leaves those of us with the sense to realise what a disaster this is for the club to build at Falmer (I can't believe more of the "fans" can't see this) to wish you the best of luck. In a few years when it's all gone horribly wrong I wonder how many of you will remember those of us who tried to advise against such massive financial investment in a place so obviously commercially wrong for the stadium, and at a time when the team's form can hardly be described as "confidence building"?
None of the above are suitable as has been proven by numerous studies and inquiries.
Do you seriously believe the football club has selected the site for any other reason that it is the ONLY suitable place to meet all requirements?
Septicman, brighton says...
4:37pm Wed 15 Aug 07
Brighton does not have a right to a stadium
It would not be a loss to the league if the club were to fold
There is no evidence to suggest that the club will go bust if it doen't move to a new ground
The new stadium will be detrimental to the AONB
Etc.Etc.
All of which show that it was entirely justified for LDC and FPC to object as they have. The reason the stadium has permission is for the so-called socio-economic benefits alone. Strange, these seem not to be mentioned already. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees as to who will get the jobs, nor mechanisms that could be used anyway. It will be interesting to look at the levels of unemployment in East Brighton as the stadium goes up and is subsequently in operation.
The fans are very lucky the SoS has discretion. On the other hand, what was the point of the enquiries?
Cap'n Pugwash, Cloud Nine says...
4:52pm Wed 15 Aug 07
The unfounded hysteria of a handful of NIMBYs has finally been brushed aside and the whole of Sussex will finally have a stadium it can be proud of.
If you are still convinced that LDC and FPC were justified in staging a campaign filled with lies and deceit then you really are a sad, vindictive little man. You can only be a member of the Cuttress family-there can be no other reason for you acting as you do.
Septicman, Brighton says...
6:08pm Wed 15 Aug 07
Cap'n Pugwash, Cloud Nine says...
10:50pm Wed 15 Aug 07
Septicman wrote:Ah, the rabid septictank raises its head for a final pop at the winning side.
Many of us are not stupid enough to swallow the liquid horse manure offered up as facts by paying customers such as Cap'n Pugwash.
Rant all you like you odious little man, it matters not...the stadium has been given the green light which is something you swore would never happen.. Oh, and doesn't that ENORMOUS helping of humble pie taste good? mmmmmmm. You can share it with the three witches of Falmer if you like.
Brian, Hove says...
11:12pm Wed 15 Aug 07
Septicman, Brighton says...
9:24am Thu 16 Aug 07
Your problem, as it is with many of the fans, is that you do not understand what has been done and said over the last few years, nor why permission has been granted. If you did, you would understand why people against the stadium feel they have been mugged, and why confidence in any planning decision in future will be compromised where the Downs are concerned.
Brian, Hove says...
9:43am Thu 16 Aug 07
Who's that? Oh it's only septicman. Oh well back to sleep zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Andy, Steyning says...
4:30pm Thu 30 Aug 07
"Brighton, the silly little town that thinks it's a city!"
tom, lancing says...
12:08pm Mon 10 Dec 07
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In this section
- Final countdown for Falmer
- Falmer road scheme gets green light
- Falmer council could appeal against stadium
- Lewes Tories back Seagulls' stadium
- Appeal against Falmer would be wrong say fans
- £140,000 spent on Falmer fight
- Elated...but the party is on hold
- Knight’s generation game says it all
- Premiership goal
- Student fears over impact of Falmer
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Roger, Edinburgh says...
12:00pm Wed 15 Aug 07