Decision at dawn for Albion
Brighton and Hove Albion will hear within hours whether the club's dream move to Falmer has been approved.
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has made her decision - not just the biggest in the club's history but one of the most important for the people of Brighton and Sussex.
She has written to the club, Brighton and Hove City Council and Lewes District Council.
Tomorrow morning Albion will learn whether or not the new stadium can be built.
Shortly after 7am the club will find out whether the Seagulls can fly high at Falmer.
The Argus will be first with the news. Read it here on our website as the story breaks.
The Government's decision is a closely guarded secret but leading figures in the city could not see any reason why it should not be a "yes".
They point to the recent recommendation to exclude both the stadium site and the planned coach park from the boundary of the proposed national park.
It also seems likely that the national park boundary will stop at Village Way. This means the proposed site will be also stripped of its status as an area of outstanding natural beauty.
They also point to the promise of money from the South East England Development Agency (Seeda).
If Albion are given approval, look out for a special late edition of The Argus on sale in Brighton and Hove from lunchtime tomorrow.
This will be followed by a 12-page souvenir supplement as well as all the news and reaction in the main paper on Wednesday.
Where will you be when the news breaks? Send us your comments and pictures of your reaction to the decision.
Send pictures to SUPIC 07834 487 010,
or email us at pictures@theargus.co.uk
6:05pm Monday 23rd July 2007
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CommentPosted by: Don Cropone, Brighton on 6:24pm Mon 23 Jul 07
Get in there! One of the greatest days in the history of Sussex. This win is dedicated to all those who have suffered to see justice done. Those who have poured scorn over the issue should feel disgraced as barely once in their pitiful debate have they ever used FACTS to fight their corner. It's been lies, lies, lies all the way from the opponents. I expect them to have the crude audacity to appeal again because that's just how low their morals are.
Get in there! One of the greatest days in the history of Sussex. This win is dedicated to all those who have suffered to see justice done. Those who have poured scorn over the issue should feel disgraced as barely once in their pitiful debate have they ever used FACTS to fight their corner. It's been lies, lies, lies all the way from the opponents. I expect them to have the crude audacity to appeal again because that's just how low their morals are.
Posted by: Ken, Brighton on 6:35pm Mon 23 Jul 07
Hazel Blears, bring cheers not tears!
Hazel Blears, bring cheers not tears!
Posted by: stephen galyer, portsmouth on 6:47pm Mon 23 Jul 07
Please say yes Hazel, this will be a fantastic result for all Albion fans.
Please say yes Hazel, this will be a fantastic result for all Albion fans.
Posted by: Paul, Brighton Seafront on 6:49pm Mon 23 Jul 07
I shall be leaving for work at the crack of dawn, so I have time to settle and a cuppa to steady my nerves before the decision is released.
I truly hope that those opponents will give up the ghost (should we get a Yes) and make an effort to work with the club to ensure that the whole process from henceforth is smooth.
I shall be leaving for work at the crack of dawn, so I have time to settle and a cuppa to steady my nerves before the decision is released.
I truly hope that those opponents will give up the ghost (should we get a Yes) and make an effort to work with the club to ensure that the whole process from henceforth is smooth.
Posted by: Zigjim, Lewes on 7:05pm Mon 23 Jul 07
It's got to be a yes. I'm so ashamed of my useless, incompetent, short-sighted, ignorant, pompous excuse of a District Council. LEWES WANTS FALMER!
It's got to be a yes. I'm so ashamed of my useless, incompetent, short-sighted, ignorant, pompous excuse of a District Council. LEWES WANTS FALMER!
Posted by: Ron, Nutley on 7:08pm Mon 23 Jul 07
I strongly believe it will be a YES vote, however I do not believe at all that this is the end of it. Come on the way the Lib Dems and the MINORITY of Lewes have dealt with this so far they would rather die fighting this than give up, so I know there are not many more dleaying tactics but could still go to the High Court to oppose any decsion made by the Government. And yes I know Lewes have given their word that they will not but dont believe anything Mr Norman says!! How the guy keeps getting in is beyond me. Up the Albion!! and great pre season!
I strongly believe it will be a YES vote, however I do not believe at all that this is the end of it. Come on the way the Lib Dems and the MINORITY of Lewes have dealt with this so far they would rather die fighting this than give up, so I know there are not many more dleaying tactics but could still go to the High Court to oppose any decsion made by the Government. And yes I know Lewes have given their word that they will not but dont believe anything Mr Norman says!! How the guy keeps getting in is beyond me. Up the Albion!! and great pre season!
Posted by: rob, Brighton on 7:28pm Mon 23 Jul 07
I don't doubt it will be a yes. But it will be for the wrong reason. As we saw in the paper only last week, there are a lot of vested financial reasons. As money talks, the stadium will get the go ahead, but that does not mean it is in the right place. Albion fans were led up the garden path over the Goldstone, and history is repeating itself. Just look at the people involved and ask yourself if they are interested in anything other than themselves. Of course not. This development is nothing other than a Trojan Horse to unlocking previously blocked development of areas that should never be . It has nothing to do with the specific site as such, which is why they don't actually care it is not in the right place. It's simply a gateway to other things. Think on, once it's done, there won't be any going back and we'll all pay the price later, Albion fans or not!
I don't doubt it will be a yes. But it will be for the wrong reason. As we saw in the paper only last week, there are a lot of vested financial reasons. As money talks, the stadium will get the go ahead, but that does not mean it is in the right place. Albion fans were led up the garden path over the Goldstone, and history is repeating itself. Just look at the people involved and ask yourself if they are interested in anything other than themselves. Of course not. This development is nothing other than a Trojan Horse to unlocking previously blocked development of areas that should never be . It has nothing to do with the specific site as such, which is why they don't actually care it is not in the right place. It's simply a gateway to other things. Think on, once it's done, there won't be any going back and we'll all pay the price later, Albion fans or not!
Posted by: Billandton, Bton on 7:51pm Mon 23 Jul 07
ah yes - because the area has no buildings anywhere near it, no dodgy 1960's Unis on either side of the road, no sports centres, no dual carriagways. Yawn. stop moaning LDC and others and if you dont like it, move somewhere else where you can witter on. How about the inner M25. Clearly that is an area of beauty. As for the goldstone, the blame is entirely with belotti and the council for letting him and his blood merchants get away with it. RIP Goldstone and shame on all those involved.
ah yes - because the area has no buildings anywhere near it, no dodgy 1960's Unis on either side of the road, no sports centres, no dual carriagways. Yawn. stop moaning LDC and others and if you dont like it, move somewhere else where you can witter on. How about the inner M25. Clearly that is an area of beauty. As for the goldstone, the blame is entirely with belotti and the council for letting him and his blood merchants get away with it. RIP Goldstone and shame on all those involved.
Posted by: Paul, Brighton Seafront on 8:07pm Mon 23 Jul 07
Rob, the decision is going to be made in accordance with planning law. Do you really think that this decision will be different from many thousands of cases that pass through the DCLG? Why would they leave any loophole for this sorry saga to drag on.
You talk about the proposed developments in that area (which was adavanced speculation) as if it were a bad thing. Are they not brownfield or sites earmarked for development? Did you oppose the new student accomodation?
Comparing this situation to the asset stripping that occurred in the 90s is on a par with comparing chalk and cheese. We are currently run by some very astute and honest men who have always maintained a level of dignity and trust with the Council, supporters and indeed the opponents. Archer, Stanley and Belotti are not worthy of being compared to Knight, Perry, Champan, Bloom, The Falmer4All team et al.
Crass speculation being passed off as fact is not going to sway me from thinking this decision is anything but for the good of Brighton and indeed the whole of Sussex.
What price will we be paying? Modern sporting facilities for Sussex? A chance to expand the Albion in the Community? Improved facilities at Brighton University? A kickstart to regenerate parts of East Brighton? Or are you still focusing on the loss of poorly graded farmland next to a dual carriageway?
Rob, the decision is going to be made in accordance with planning law. Do you really think that this decision will be different from many thousands of cases that pass through the DCLG? Why would they leave any loophole for this sorry saga to drag on.
You talk about the proposed developments in that area (which was adavanced speculation) as if it were a bad thing. Are they not brownfield or sites earmarked for development? Did you oppose the new student accomodation?
Comparing this situation to the asset stripping that occurred in the 90s is on a par with comparing chalk and cheese. We are currently run by some very astute and honest men who have always maintained a level of dignity and trust with the Council, supporters and indeed the opponents. Archer, Stanley and Belotti are not worthy of being compared to Knight, Perry, Champan, Bloom, The Falmer4All team et al.
Crass speculation being passed off as fact is not going to sway me from thinking this decision is anything but for the good of Brighton and indeed the whole of Sussex.
What price will we be paying? Modern sporting facilities for Sussex? A chance to expand the Albion in the Community? Improved facilities at Brighton University? A kickstart to regenerate parts of East Brighton? Or are you still focusing on the loss of poorly graded farmland next to a dual carriageway?
Posted by: Portlock Seagull, Maidenhead on 8:27pm Mon 23 Jul 07
[quote][bold]rob[/bold] wrote:
I don\\\'t doubt it will be a yes. But it will be for the wrong reason. As we saw in the paper only last week, there are a lot of vested financial reasons. As money talks, the stadium will get the go ahead, but that does not mean it is in the right place. Albion fans were led up the garden path over the Goldstone, and history is repeating itself. Just look at the people involved and ask yourself if they are interested in anything other than themselves. Of course not. This development is nothing other than a Trojan Horse to unlocking previously blocked development of areas that should never be . It has nothing to do with the specific site as such, which is why they don\\\'t actually care it is not in the right place. It\\\'s simply a gateway to other things. Think on, once it\\\'s done, there won\\\'t be any going back and we\\\'ll all pay the price later, Albion fans or not![/quote] Rob, what are you blithering on about? Under the Mental Health act, your views are deemed irrelevant and will be removed from this post. It's for adults only.
rob wrote:
I don't doubt it will be a yes. But it will be for the wrong reason. As we saw in the paper only last week, there are a lot of vested financial reasons. As money talks, the stadium will get the go ahead, but that does not mean it is in the right place. Albion fans were led up the garden path over the Goldstone, and history is repeating itself. Just look at the people involved and ask yourself if they are interested in anything other than themselves. Of course not. This development is nothing other than a Trojan Horse to unlocking previously blocked development of areas that should never be . It has nothing to do with the specific site as such, which is why they don't actually care it is not in the right place. It's simply a gateway to other things. Think on, once it's done, there won't be any going back and we'll all pay the price later, Albion fans or not!
Rob, what are you blithering on about? Under the Mental Health act, your views are deemed irrelevant and will be removed from this post. It's for adults only.
Posted by: Mrs C, Telscombe on 8:41pm Mon 23 Jul 07
Falmer. Yes. That's all I have to say on the matter. End of. Bring on the builders.
Falmer. Yes. That's all I have to say on the matter. End of. Bring on the builders.
Posted by: Nick, Brighton on 8:49pm Mon 23 Jul 07
I have been implacably opposed to the Falmer stadium, and any further loss of the rare and unique downland environment (there is only 3% of the original remaining, I believe). The Downs hosts very rare plant and animal ecosystems that cannot be recreated once destroyed. Although not built on one of these ecosystems, the ground's impact will spread far beyond its physical footprint, in terms of noise, light and traffic pollution.
However, I suspect that the Hazel Blears will say Yes, and the fight will be lost.
If for some reason she were to say No, I wonder whether the club would seek a judicial review, and thus waste Council Tax payer's money defending it, or would they accept the decision without a murmur.
Another interesting issue, is that the the Falmer site will only just be inside the National Park boundaries. That of course means that once the 22,500 seater is built, there can be no further expansion. In some respects the club will have backed itself into a corner.
Despite my objections to the Falmer stadium, I am not against the club. I lived for 5 happy years in the shadow of the Goldstone Ground.
I have been implacably opposed to the Falmer stadium, and any further loss of the rare and unique downland environment (there is only 3% of the original remaining, I believe). The Downs hosts very rare plant and animal ecosystems that cannot be recreated once destroyed. Although not built on one of these ecosystems, the ground's impact will spread far beyond its physical footprint, in terms of noise, light and traffic pollution.
However, I suspect that the Hazel Blears will say Yes, and the fight will be lost.
If for some reason she were to say No, I wonder whether the club would seek a judicial review, and thus waste Council Tax payer's money defending it, or would they accept the decision without a murmur.
Another interesting issue, is that the the Falmer site will only just be inside the National Park boundaries. That of course means that once the 22,500 seater is built, there can be no further expansion. In some respects the club will have backed itself into a corner.
Despite my objections to the Falmer stadium, I am not against the club. I lived for 5 happy years in the shadow of the Goldstone Ground.
Posted by: Martin, Brighton on 9:08pm Mon 23 Jul 07
I refuse to believe ANYTHING until the day I see the bulldozers and earthmovers move on site.
I refuse to believe ANYTHING until the day I see the bulldozers and earthmovers move on site.
Posted by: Paul, Brighton Seafront on 9:29pm Mon 23 Jul 07
Nick, I would imagine the club would appeal assuming here are grounds to appeal. Would it be money wasted by the council? Not if the outcome was positive in the long run and they were to get the correct decision.
Traffic pollution? I think that ship sailed a long time ago when they put a dual carriageway through the centre of the village. I will be taking the train and would hope that many other fans follow suit.
The land is earmarked for development and I would have thought it preferable to have a development that will be used far less than 24/7.
As far as expansion is concerned, would The Albion need a stadum with a capacity of more than 22,500?
Nick, I would imagine the club would appeal assuming here are grounds to appeal. Would it be money wasted by the council? Not if the outcome was positive in the long run and they were to get the correct decision.
Traffic pollution? I think that ship sailed a long time ago when they put a dual carriageway through the centre of the village. I will be taking the train and would hope that many other fans follow suit.
The land is earmarked for development and I would have thought it preferable to have a development that will be used far less than 24/7.
As far as expansion is concerned, would The Albion need a stadum with a capacity of more than 22,500?
Posted by: Welsh Dragon, Port Talbot on 10:51pm Mon 23 Jul 07
Give us our stadium at Falmer and do us Seagull fans proud we have waited long enough for this.
Give us our stadium at Falmer and do us Seagull fans proud we have waited long enough for this.
Posted by: James, Edinburgh on 10:58pm Mon 23 Jul 07
If it's a YES, I'll been down with my shovel Tuesday afternoon sometime to get it rolling.
It will be a great asset for the community and a long time in the waiting for the team I have supported for 30 odd years.
If it's a YES, I'll been down with my shovel Tuesday afternoon sometime to get it rolling.
It will be a great asset for the community and a long time in the waiting for the team I have supported for 30 odd years.
Posted by: CM, 038-449 on 11:07pm Mon 23 Jul 07
Only the most blinkered Albion fans think Falmer is the best site.
Stick it in that well-known beauty spot Sheepcote Valley!
Only the most blinkered Albion fans think Falmer is the best site.
Stick it in that well-known beauty spot Sheepcote Valley!
Posted by: bill, BN0 on 11:28pm Mon 23 Jul 07
Bill thinks it will be refused....he tried to put a bet on that with Bill Hill, but they would accept that....even on £100 for 47-51 on to refuse (reason: too MANY BUNGS/not enough bribes)...
Bill thinks it will be refused....he tried to put a bet on that with Bill Hill, but they would accept that....even on £100 for 47-51 on to refuse (reason: too MANY BUNGS/not enough bribes)...
Posted by: Ernest, Thailand on 11:34pm Mon 23 Jul 07
I look forward to giving beach hut his first bj at the new falmer toilets
I look forward to giving beach hut his first bj at the new falmer toilets
Posted by: Stefan, Brighton on 11:55pm Mon 23 Jul 07
It's official: It's a great big [bold]FAT[/bold] yes for Falmer.
Falmer Parish Council, Lewes District Council, Marina, de Vecchi, Norman 'Satan' Baker: stick that in your pipe and set fire to it!
It's official: It's a great big
FAT yes for Falmer.
Falmer Parish Council, Lewes District Council, Marina, de Vecchi, Norman 'Satan' Baker: stick that in your pipe and set fire to it!
Posted by: Jamie on 12:18am Tue 24 Jul 07
All this fuss to build a sports stadium at the site of two uni's? In the USA all Unis have stadiums like this.The green stuff has always been a red herring, as the site has unis, a motorway, a sewage works ect ect. Perhaps they should have called it Moulscombe stadium as those guys will appreciate it, when the rich kids at the Unis are in bed after a "spiffing" or "sorted" night out, being "radical". Up the Albion, Good Old Sussex by the Sea. Lewes Council be ashamed, and even appeal it, but if you do, make sure its the Councilors own cash rather than the taxpayers that will pay if you fail to win.
All this fuss to build a sports stadium at the site of two uni's? In the USA all Unis have stadiums like this.The green stuff has always been a red herring, as the site has unis, a motorway, a sewage works ect ect. Perhaps they should have called it Moulscombe stadium as those guys will appreciate it, when the rich kids at the Unis are in bed after a "spiffing" or "sorted" night out, being "radical". Up the Albion, Good Old Sussex by the Sea. Lewes Council be ashamed, and even appeal it, but if you do, make sure its the Councilors own cash rather than the taxpayers that will pay if you fail to win.
Posted by: Cap'n Pugwash, Down Below on 12:56am Tue 24 Jul 07
[quote][bold]bill[/bold] wrote:
Bill thinks it will be refused....he tried to put a bet on that with Bill Hill, but they would accept that....even on £100 for 47-51 on to refuse (reason: too MANY BUNGS/not enough bribes)... [/quote] Is this one of those quizzes where we're supposed to guess what language is being used?
bill wrote:
Bill thinks it will be refused....he tried to put a bet on that with Bill Hill, but they would accept that....even on £100 for 47-51 on to refuse (reason: too MANY BUNGS/not enough bribes)...
Is this one of those quizzes where we're supposed to guess what language is being used?
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