Spotlight

Interviews and in-depth features on what matters in Eastbourne. Depth and originality from a not-for-profit set-up. Please become a member through the KoFi link so I can create a sustainable news model. Many thanks!

Kings Drive Eastbourne flats plan

SPOTLIGHT: Developer bids to replace one house with 20 flats

By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporting Service A developer has submitted plans for an apartment building in Eastbourne to replace a large detached house. In an application submitted to Eastbourne Borough Council, a developer is seeking outline planning permission to demolish the home at 273 Kings Drive and replace it with a building containing […]

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Environmental hustings Eastbourne

SPOTLIGHT: How green are our general election candidates? 

All six candidates in Eastbourne standing in the general election were put through their paces at an environmental hustings meeting in the town last night.  They answered questions on improving public transport, cycling and walking routes, on clean energy and on sea water quality.  Organiser Gem Aellah, chair of Bespoke Cycle Group, told the meeting […]

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No news is bad news – the future of the Eastbourne Reporter is in your hands 

The Eastbourne Reporter has interviewed a huge range of people to produce around 100 news features in the last two years which shine a light on our town.  You will not read anything like these anywhere else; the features are based on extensive research and the essence of journalism – asking questions.  The features are […]

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Victoria Medical Centre Eastbourne

SPOTLIGHT: More doctors, easier booking and better phone system promised by GP surgery 

Four more doctors are joining the Victoria Medical Centre in Old Town to help address the huge problems patients face in trying to see a GP.  The centre is also pledging to release non-urgent appointments more frequently and would mke them available every three days to make it easier to book ahead.  And, in an […]

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Mornings Mill Farm sign Eastbourne

SPOTLIGHT: Council paid developers more than £750,000

By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Wealden District Council has paid out more than three-quarters of a million pounds in appeal costs since January 2021. The single largest payout resulted from the council’s decision to refuse the 700-home Mornings Mill development on farmland at Willingdon, Eastbourne, which was approved on appeal. One Labour councillor […]

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The Shires, Gorringe Road, Eastbourne

SPOTLIGHT: Planning inspector approves care home conversion

By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporting Service Controversial plans to convert a former Eastbourne care home have been approved on appeal. A planning inspector has approved retrospective proposals for an 11-bedroom property at 13 Gorringe Road — a building which had formed part of a care home known as The Shires. Eastbourne planners had refused […]

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Jonathan Kent PCC candidate

SPOTLIGHT: Green police and crime commissioner candidate

By Sarah Booker-Lewis, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Below are the responses from Green candidate Jonathan Kent, a former BBC journalist who tweets as @jolph. He is pictured above. What difference will you make if you are elected? For years we’ve had a Conservative police and crime commissioner under a Tory government bent on cutting public […]

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Katy Bourne PCC candidate

SPOTLIGHT: Conservative police and crime commissioner candidate

By Sarah Booker-Lewis, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Below are the responses from Conservative candidate Katy Bourne, who tweets as @KatyBourne. She is pictured above. What difference will you make if you are elected? Continue cutting crime – neighbourhood crime already down 23 per cent, residential burglary down 33 per cent, fighting drugs gangs (585 disrupted […]

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Jamie Bennett PCC candidate

SPOTLIGHT: Liberal Democrat police and crime commissioner candidate

By Sarah Booker-Lewis, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Below are the responses from Liberal Democrat candidate Jamie Bennett, 34, a hotel manager who tweets as @JamieBen120689. He is pictured above. What difference will you make if you are elected? Liberal Democrats believe the post of PCC should be abolished but, until we are in a position […]

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SPOTLIGHT: An artist’s view of the Turner Prize legacy  

The arrival of the prestigious Turner Prize in Eastbourne attracted worldwide attention and drew thousands of visitors to see the work of four artists at the Towner gallery.  But beyond the whirl of activity and the televised prize ceremony, there have been projects involving the people of Eastbourne running quietly in the background.  One of […]

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