Local Democracy Reporting Service

These reports are from the BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporting Service. The Eastbourne Reporter is eligible to receive them as a regulated website with high journalistic standards.

SPOTLIGHT: Councillors approve shared house with eight bedrooms   

By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Eastbourne councillors have approved plans for shared housing in Meads.  On Tuesday (December 10), the borough council’s planning committee approved proposals to create an eight-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Meads Street.  While the scheme had been recommended for approval, neighbours argued it would harm the Meads […]

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SPOTLIGHT: Decision due on shared housing in Meads conservation area

By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Proposals for shared housing in Meads are to go before councillors next week. Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning committee is due to consider plans (Tuesday, December 10) to officially create an eight-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Meads Street. The scheme has been recommended for approval by planning […]

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Entrance to the Sovereign Centre leisure centre in Eastbourne

SPOTLIGHT: Council committee to explore ‘further options’ for Sovereign Centre

By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter The leader of Eastbourne Borough Council has committed to making no “irreversible changes” to swimming pools at a leisure centre ahead of further investigations into its future. The commitment was made at a full council meeting last night (November 20), in response to a motion submitted by Conservative […]

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SPOTLIGHT: Eastbourne bus lanes approved

By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Controversial proposals for new bus lanes in Eastbourne will go ahead, a senior county councillor has decided.  Cllr Claire Dowling, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for transport and environment, agreed with plans to install new bus lanes along the A259, Seaside (main image / Google) and St […]

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SPOTLIGHT: Plans for civic space scaled back due to costs

By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Regeneration plans for a car-free public space in Eastbourne town centre are being scaled back as a result of rising costs.  East Sussex County Council councillors agreed at a meeting today to reduce the scope of plans to create a new civic space in Terminus Road. Nearly £2.5 […]

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SPOTLIGHT: “The more we get rid of cars, the safer the town centre will be”

By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter The assumption that properties require a parking space, even in the town centre, was challenged last night by the Mayor of Eastbourne. Cllr Candy Vaughan (Lib Dem) was speaking as a member of the town’s planning committee as it approved plans to redevelop the site of the former […]

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SPOTLIGHT: “Won’t it be lovely to come in by train and not see the derelict car park?”

By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Plans to create a major apartment complex in Eastbourne’s town centre have been approved. Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning committee last night unanimously approved proposals to demolish the disused multi-storey car park in Junction Road and build 101 apartments. Councillors praised the scheme, agreeing with officers that it would […]

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SPOTLIGHT: Decision due on apartment plans

By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Proposals to build a five-storey apartment complex in Eastbourne town centre go in front of councillors next week. On Tuesday (November 12), Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning committee will consider proposals to demolish the disused multi-storey car park in Junction Road, near the station, and build 101 apartments. The […]

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Eastbourne Town Hall

SPOTLIGHT: Controversial spending cuts agreed

Rebecca Maer, Eastbourne Reporter Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Eastbourne council leaders agreed spending cuts of £2.7 million for this year at a meeting last night of the cabinet amid jeers and heckling from residents in the public gallery. The borough council’s ruling Liberal Democrats agreed to move ahead with immediate cuts, including the […]

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SPOTLIGHT: Sovereign Harbour retirement flats approved at third attempt

Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democrary Reporter Rebecca Maer, Eastbourne Reporter Controversial proposals to build a six-storey retirement living complex in Eastbourne on the waterfront have been approved by councillors. Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning committee last night granted permission to build 126 “apartments for older people” on land to the east of Martinique Way in Sovereign […]

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