SPOTLIGHT: The road from Roche to pavement politics
Brett Wright was elected earlier this month as an East Sussex County Councillor, representing Meads in Eastbourne. His success as a Liberal Democrat resulted in the Conservatives losing their overall majority. We meet the man to find out what motivated him to stand and why he’s hoping his election will lead to a more collaborative […]
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SPOTLIGHT Artificial pitch approved for Eastbourne United
Artificial turf has been approved for Eastbourne United football club despite opposition from residents. People living near the ground argued the scheme would bring a huge increase in pitch use and traffic as well as adversely affecting the environment. The club has welcomed the decision as the catalyst to attract more community use to The […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Neighbour’s fears over plan for homes in old quarry
A 93-year-old woman who has lived in her home for more than 60 years has voiced concerns over a plan to build 18 houses at the bottom of a sheer drop in Ocklynge Chalk Pit next door. Silvia Verrall (above) moved to her house in Willingdon Road when it was built in 1961 and the […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Council update on Fort Fun revamp
Plans by Defiant Sports for accessible facilities at the Fort Fun site on Eastbourne seafront are inching forward as it was confirmed that quotes to install a new electricity feed are being gathered. But there is still no news on a long-awaited decision as to whether planning permission is needed for work to go ahead. […]
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SPOTLIGHT: What’s happening at Fort Fun?
The long-awaited renovation of Fort Fun on Eastbourne seafront is under way as the landmark seafront site is cleared ready for work to start. I met the people from the two organisations due to take leases at the site to find out about their plans and what stage work was at. Each lease will be […]
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SPOTLIGHT: How people power saved Fisherman’s Green
The controversy over plans to earmark the seafront site for housebuilding involved thousands of residents’ objections and the intervention of a Cabinet minister. It has now been taken off the list. We unpick what happened and talk to the women who successfully campaigned against the proposals Fiona Mullen and her neighbours had prepared for a […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Housing allocation set to be halved
Several potential development sites involving hundreds of homes are set to be removed from the Eastbourne Local Plan after Cabinet Minister Michael Gove indicated there would not be sanctions for doing so. Eastbourne Borough Council says it is likely to scrap plans to develop Fisherman’s Green on the seafront, low-lying sites, Sovereign Harbour and University […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Port Hotel extension deal called off
A DEAL to extend the distinctive black-painted Port Hotel on Eastbourne seafront into the neighbouring property has been abandoned. Peter Cadwallader of the 19-room Port Hotel wanted to buy the Atlanta Guest House, which has ten guest rooms. Mr Cadwallader, the co-founder and managing director of Port Hotels Ltd, confirmed to the Eastbourne Reporter: “The […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Bandstand stage restoration to start in spring
THE long-awaited first phase of repairs to Eastbourne’s iconic 1930s bandstand will start in the spring and it will re-open for the summer 2023 season, a council meeting heard last night as it approved the work. After an initial £750,000 is spent to repair the stage and parts of the main structure, up to £8 […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Bandstand conservation takes centre stage
THE LIFE of Eastbourne’s iconic bandstand should be extended by decades with extensive repairs to the stage and roof, the borough council’s conservation advisory group heard last night. The existing plywood stage floor has wet rot and is now deemed to be dangerous, according to a report to the group on the Grade II-listed building. […]
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