Lloyd speaks out against developers Wimpey

11.57.33am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 22nd Jun 2009

Eastbourne Lib Dem campaigner Stephen Lloyd has spoken out against developers Wimpey at the Kings Drive planning inquiry.

Last week a planning appeal was held at Eastbourne's Town Hall, to decide whether to allow developer Taylor Wimpey to build 140 on land known as Pococks Field, at Kings Drive.

Speaking after the inquiry, Lloyd said, "I was disappointed to discover a day before the deadline that Wimpey had decided to go ahead with their appeal to build the houses, against the express wishes of the Lib Dem-run Borough Council and many local residents."

"In my submission on Friday, I reminded the planning inspector that on two occasions over the last ten years, flooding has been so bad in Pococks Field the entire area has actually been under a foot of water. Therefore, how on earth could any building developer be 100% confident that this would not happen again?"

"I also reminded the inquiry that Eastbourne Park is a unique landscape for everyone in our town. It is not just the town's lungs but to many of us, it is the heart of Eastbourne as well. If the development were to be given the go-ahead it would be a crass act of corporate vandalism on our precious green open-space. We should hear within a couple of months the outcome of the appeal and I hope the right decision is taken."

"I was concerned though when the developer's Barrister said he believed the u-turn by East Sussex County Council over their transport objections had severely weakened the case to stop the development. He even went on to say that the developer was considering suing the County Council for wasting their time."

"It is clear to all of us that the County Council's apparent change of mind a couple of months ago about possibly dropping their objections, and then changing their mind back again, has seriously undermined my, the Borough Council and the many local residents objections to this ghastly development. I can only hope the Inspector listens to the voices of the people and turns down the appeal."