Your letters - September 5

Real potential

I WAS one of the 99.01 per cent of people who voted in Jackie Bialeska's survey stating my preference of Bexhill's existing seafront Edwardian shelters and seating.

I live and work in Bexhill and in common with the overwhelming majority of both residents and visitors to our town, wish to preserve this town's unique heritage and character.

This does not mean I am against all progress and future development. Improvements can be made to the seafront which could enhance and improve without detracting from its essential character.

The council's proposal to install modern sterile looking stainless steel shelters and benches as an alternative to the existing traditional shelters lacks vision and taste.

It is a style common place in many seaside resorts throughout the country which within a few years of installation become a neglected vandalised eyesore.

Let us build on our existing strengths and offer attractions and facilities which bring visitors and prosperity to the town.

My vision for Bexhill seafront would include the already proposed yachting marina which would bring both work to the town and benefit existing traders, bars and restaurants.

Simple measures such as repainting the beach huts from the present boring uniform white to multi colour pastel shades and the planting of semi tropical Torquay type palms along the promenades.

With the present economic troubles more and more people will look to holidaying at home instead of travelling abroad.

In addition we have the 2012 Olympic games which will bring thousands of visitors to Britain and especially the South East.

Bexhill has the potential to attract many of these visitors, but the town must have the attractions to cater for them and a Rother District Council which has the vision and imagination to plan for it.

N. BIRCH

Bedford Avenue

Little boxes

WITH reference to the proposed changes to the seafront. Why did the council refuse planning permission for extending the Sovereign Cafe when they propose to erect shelters of a similar design, ie featureless boxes?

All residents who care about the look and 'feel' of our town and seafront should take warning from what happened to Devonshire Square and its 'modern', 'vibrant', 'minimalist' design. A more accurate description would be bare, hostile and cold. Even the 'feature' of the concrete balls was ill conceived.

Has the council any plans to clean and maintain the things? They look filthy around the bases, are scuffed and chipped; a disgrace to our town.

I feel so angry that our councillors never seem to learn from past mistakes and are now considering a similar aberration on the seafront that the vast majority of townspeople and visitors do not want.

D. A. REYNOLDS

De La Warr Road

Wider view

RETURNING to Bexhill after two months, I see that the familiar "lets scoop up regeneration money versus commonsense development debate" is on again.

Much of this centres around the DLWP (one way or another). A great deal of what has been happening there recently has been excellent but as your correspondents Douglas Falkner and Valda Warren point out (Observer, August 29) a much wider view should be taken of both the Pavilion and the town itself.

The DLWP should be a metaphor for the town's growth, presenting a wide range of main and fringe activities that are constantly ongoing (not closed galleries) and available as a centre when people are around ie in the evenings!

The recent Bank Holiday music, film and fireworks extravaganza was excellent but when you witness these activities egg the enthusiastic crowd for the after dark surfing film (and this is the worst Bexhill summer weather I've seen in ten years) you think why aren't things like this going on most of the time and being much more inclusive of locals as Mr Faulkner says?

Sadly the real answer is probably that the DLWP has emerged as a Corporate Arts success with token

community representation rather than the town based resource that was expected. Its range of exhibitions and entertainment has been generally very well received and attendance figures have shot through the roof! From the managements point of view it's a job well done and (probably] another job (somewhere else] in sight. You can't blame them really. They probably live somewhere interesting with a wide range things going on. What real incentive is there for them to do more here?

It all needs a political will that is currently (some might say mysteriously] focussed on sea front furniture or shopping arcades. Get the people around the place first!

You need to think more South Bank than South Coast!

What would I do? Quite a lot but it would be cheap and easy to experiment with. A priority might be a performance area in the Colonnade where (particularly young] people could have some sort ongoing facility to play music without complaint as the parabolic curve would beam it across to France. The Edwardians thought of it first but their bandstand curved over the beach. More picturesque but musically inferior.

The Rowing Club deserves a decent facility and maybe the Sailing Club a harbour (for the same price as a Colonnade excavation] but in the meantime there are cheaper things to try out for the whole population.

Incidentally, as the DLWP has belatedly noticed that small children can get through the railings it might be worth giving consideration to other prominent Health and Safety issues ie the "pinch points" I noticed last week which could be a real problem in the future when it's really crowded. Again this shouldn't cost a fortune.

The ridiculous doorway to the bookshop should be larger and in the centre of the window. The absolutely vital door to the terrace should convert to a fire exit and be replaced by a much larger opening on the other side of the stairs (this would be a vast improvement, safer and much easier to use re disabled access]. Excellent events like children's workshops should not block ready access to the roof terrace.

When the weather is inclement or extra space is required for a bar or moving events indoors why not use the very large theatre foyer which hangs around with nothing to do for a lot of the time?

Having an audience perched on the stairs is not particularly helpful to anyone and the jazz outfit I saw last week deserved much better than having to play behind the spiral. Considering the 7m expenditure, none of this seems to have been very well thought out!

Please don't tell me it's because it's Listed because I won't believe you. Neither will anyone else.

Dave Walsh

Rotherfield Avenue

Sensible ideas

I HAVE been following the seafront saga with interest since the proposal to build a hotel on the putting green site was first put forward in early 2004 by Seaspace (where have they gone to by the way?). Having been defeated by vociferous public opinion and common sense, everything went quiet for a while. Now we have the Nextwave proposals which seem very unpopular and unsuitable for our unique seafront.

It would be interesting to know just how much money has been spent on these outside consultants and architects and on the various studies and consultation meetings which have been taking place over the past four years.

Do we not have any down-to-earth architects in the Town Hall planning department who could come up with some sensible and yet exciting ideas for our seafront, who live in the area and are aware of Bexhill's particular problems?

You only have to look at Mr Gubby's concrete balls in Devonshire Square to realise what a waste of time and money they were; as far as I am aware there have been very few 'events' taking place in an area that was perfectly suited for short stay parking.

BRENDA LITTLE (Mrs)

Harewood Close

Unwanted here

THE Chancellor of the Exchequer says that we are in the most serious economic crisis since 1960. Therefore, I do not intend to spend any of my savings, except in emergencies, for the foreseeable future.

Thus, I am appalled that at this time Rother District Council is suggesting that 60per cent of the Reserves of OUR council taxes be spent on an unnecessary, extravagant and unwanted seafront development.

There has been no prior consultation with us, the residents, on this matter and there was no mention of it in the Party manifestos issued at the last election. So, I trust that all our councillors will show common sense and a prudent attitude towards our corporate savings when they are asked to approve the funds for this project at the next full council meeting.

Who knows what events will occur in the next year or two that will require us to call upon these Reserves? Meanwhile, it would be heartening to hear that the authority is actively working to bring new businesses to the town centre and re-open the empty shops. This is urgent and essential to revitalise the local economy.

SHEILA LEE

Southcourt Avenue

Burnt fingers

THERE will be few Bexhill residents who have not noticed over the last two or three years the massive number of flats that are being constructed throughout the town.

Although the now finished (and for some time too) De La Warr Heights at No.1 Sackville Road has produced a fair amount of controversy with one incident after another, it represents only a small fraction of what is going on.

Some idea can be given by working from west to east. Thus at Cooden Beach there is the new complex called The Sea House (Herbrand Walk) and Orchard Court at Barnhorn Road, Little Common.

Then there is the large new complex of Egerton Place by Bexhill Station while behind it is Hartwood Lodge and Bellview Court in Buckhurst Road.

However, perhaps the most bizarre development has to be Colwall Court just off Cooden Drive. This was a building which had recently been extensively revamped by the drugs charity Phoenix House and with its limited grounds suitable for residents' cars would have been worth 1,000,000 of anybody's money.

To the amazement of its neighbours, this refurbished building was demolished instead of being converted into flats for retirees (say) and is now being replaced by a new block of flats and three bungalows squeezed into its claustrophobic back garden.

Faced with these many developments across town, an overseer might ask questions such as, will these sell, are developers getting greedy and are these crammed in properties really what are needed ?

An examination of those properties which have been completed will show that most have NOT been sold (look at De La Warr Heights after nearly a year for example).

Readers may agree with me when I suggest that many people may get their fingers burnt (especially with the current credit crunch) and have that feeling in the back of their minds that much of the town may become a ghetto for Eastern European refugees occupying overpriced unsold housing. Watch this space!

A P Hamilton

Southcourt Avenue.

Save us

PERHAPS the SOS (Save Our Seafront) campaigners could be persuaded to ride to the town's rescue once more?

Derek Duly,

Newlands Avenue

Postal sacking

WE too, were surprised to learn that our regular postman is to be sacked.

Obviously, we are not aware of the reasons which have resulted in this decision being reached. However, we have always found him one of the most efficient, helpful, friendly and trustworthy postmen we have had delivering our mail.

We know that our neighbours agree with us and hope that an appeal through the union will be successful.

MR & MRS D DENNES

Turkey Road

Open mind

IT is with sadness that I write this letter as I do not believe that council business should be conducted through the letters page of the local paper: however, Stuart Earl's comments in last week's (August 22) letters page cannot go by without a response.

Stuart Earl was the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration during his time on the council and was one of the Cabinet Members who signed up to the Council's Corporate Plan that placed considerable emphasis on Regeneration Projects. One of those projects was the redevelopment of the Colonnade and featured as an extensive Editorial in the Bexhill Observer back in 2006. Within that article Stuart Earl is quoted as saying:

"The Colonnade'¦is part of the council's declared aim to improve Bexhill as a national destination for tourism. It will help stimulate investment, invigorate and promote the evening economy."

The regeneration plans for Bexhill commenced with the refurbishment and repositioning of the De La Warr Pavilion (the vast majority of the funding coming from External funders). This was to be followed by the refurbishment of the colonnade and seafront (again with bids for external funding) to create the 'hub' of activity. It is also known that there is a need for a hotel in the town, an expanded and modern Sainsburys, a new High School, new business units at Sidley and a new industrial estate as part of the Bexhill-Hastings link road scheme. Some of these projects are in progress, others underway and some still on the drawing board '“ but as the Corporate plan is a 10 year strategy and required working with external businesses and partners, it would take this period to develop.

The regeneration strategy is more long-term and thinking about future generations, employment and sustainability. As such, the Officers of the regeneration department are themselves appointed from the commercial property private sector to bring in skills needed, so for Stuart to imply they are unqualified and inexperienced is grossly inaccurate.

It needs to be recognised that Rother District Council do have to make tough choices, ranging from service provision, government legislation through to strengthening local communities and the economy. They do not take these responsibilities lightly and are challenged with limited resources. The damage that comments such as Stuart makes is that rather than encourage regeneration his comments may be construed to mean 'let's do nothing' and that is the problem with Bexhill.

There have been too many lobbying groups of 10-20 people that stop progress and as a consequence 'nothing' happens. The only guarantee in those circumstances is that the town will go backwards'¦and that is what is happening. What is clear is that Government regeneration funding will only go to those towns that are seen to 'want' regeneration. If it is known that Bexhill is not interested then there are many more towns who will jump at the chance of this external regeneration money and Bexhill can be certain it will not be looked at favourably for many years to come, with the implications that flow from that.

On Friday's BBC South East Today programme, filmed in Bexhill, it was made clear that the opponents of change do not offer up any practical solutions '“ just 'we don't want change.'

That will be the very downfall of the town. So when Stuart says 'he is a Bexhillian, Born and Bred, and who cares about the town, then perhaps he should support progress. Hastings and Eastbourne have taken some very bold decisions and are seeing a much-improved environment and economy. They took the view that supply would generate demand, whereas Stuart is saying demand will dictate supply. While the former is more risky, sometimes it is what is needed to stimulate a failing economy. Otherwise, to sit around and wait for demand is even more risky. Therefore, this small minority of 'stop progress' lobbying groups have a lot to account for in the demise of Bexhill.

Progress, by its very nature, will never be unanimously popular but no progress will undoubtedly lead to the deterioration of the environment of the town.

The seafront and colonnade proposals are not about radical change but a continual enhancement and investment of the current offer that aims to entice new entrepreneurship that is so lacking in Bexhill. It is with this in view that I hope the townspeople will approach these proposals with an open mind and support this continual change. Not to do so will see the funding partners turning their back on us and on Rother and regeneration monies will be spent elsewhere.

CHRISTOPHER STARNES (Cllr)

The Barnhams

My walks

IN response to a letter penned by Peter Morgan in last week's Bexhill Observer.

I would like to correct what I hope was a misunderstanding of my comments and to correct the obvious total lack of accuracy regarding the amount of time I spend walking through the town and most importantly the seafront.

I walk at least three times a week from Richmond Road / South Cliff to the Marina properly dressed for the occasion, and in all weathers.

However I was expressing my concerns and that of many others as to whether any business located in that area would be viable during poor weather, which actually is not a planning decision but one for the entrepreneur to decide.

As a resident and the councillor for Sackville Ward, I care very much about the image and the services delivered on our seafront. In my comments I was trying to express what I considered to be very valid points if our council were to consider seriously the viability of any development around the colonnade.

I welcome at all times the comments and views from the people I represent, about everything from car parking to the state of the pavements and I do at all times use whatever skills and experience I have to deliver a better place for us all to live in. That is why for the last nine years I have put myself before the electorate, and working within the rules tried to express in honest way what I feel is the best for everyone.

I have to be very careful to work within the code of conduct and will always listen to what is said, but I would like to clarify so there was no misunderstanding, I do not live in ivory tower, I do have knowledge of the seafront, which I walk on regularly and finally I will do all I can to preserve the quality of what we have, and use common sense and experience to make my decisions, but only when I have all the facts and not through the newspaper or conversation but in the proper place, the Town Hall.

Deirdre Williams (Cllr)

Town Hall

Shops error

AS usual, the anti-regeneration crew fail to comprehend the reasoning behind the development of the Colonnade.

The idea is that you invest public money in commercial enterprises which visitors and locals want to use and by that logic then become successful business, unlike the large number of Bexhill shops that have either closed down or have not updated their facades since 1977.

Some have even failed to realise that Health and Safety Law exists and that staff do not work under a feudal system.

One is reminded of the Thatcher years where a huge percentage of businesses failed daily due to the Tories sink-or-swim policy.

Thankfully we do not have a Tory Government and so there is hope that Bexhill might be regenerated. Personally I think that all business should be run as co-ops.

Stephanie Webb

Collington Avenue

Night visitor

RESIDENTS in Glenleigh Park Road, were awoken at 1am last night (August 28) and asked to move their parked cars so that a massive, very wide low-loader vehicle could pass through.

The driver told me that he had a police licence and had to travel at night, and that he was heading for flood drain works further along the road. Please be aware that normally there is adequate room for any lorry etc to pass through even when there are cars parked both sides.

I was treated to a truly bizarre and surreal sight as this huge load, festooned with flashing lights like some crazy midsummer Christmas tree, crawled along, the driver stopping every few yards to knock up the next bewildered resident.

Who on earth would programme such a wide vehicle along a road like this in the middle of the night?

On a personal and ironic note, the only reason our family cars were parked on the road last night is because work started on our drive yesterday rendering it inaccessible!

PETER MOORE

Glenleigh Park Road

Conquest care

I HAVE been in the Conquest Hospital twice in the last five weeks. Both times I have had full admiration for the staff on the ward and in the hospital.

All the nurses have been highly professional and caring, and very hard-working. They are constantly on their feet and go from patient to patient giving them quality care and attention from 7am to 7pm!

My experience was not pleasant, but it was eased by the reassurance of brilliant surgeons and trainee surgeons, anethetists and theatre staff. They gave me confidence to overcome my fears and concerns.

They were part of a team of knowledgeable and professional men and women who are a credit to the Conquest Hospital and NHS.

Thank you for your medical expertise and proficiency. Thank heaven for Cancer Research, too.

HILARY COLE

Little Common

ABC donation

ON behalf of the committee and members of the Bexhill Branch of the East Sussex Disability Association I would like to thank the executive committee of the former ABC for the very generous donation of 12,426.66p to our club, which sum will enable us to continue with helping in many ways our 190 disabled members, and also to continue with our monthly outings with those members (now over 80) who are able to come out - some of whom would not otherwise get out.

So again our grateful thanks.

MARY PLUCKNETT

Co-Chairman

Bexhill Branch East Sussex Disability Association

A well-timed heart attack

IT was reassuring to hear that heart attack and stroke victims now have the chance of a 'miracle' recovery.

However, this is only if they time their attack between 9am and 5pm, Mondays to Fridays and then, only if they have managed to self-diagnose and reach the Conquest Hospital within three hours. (Observer article, August 22).

May the general public hope that this new treatment will soon be available on a 24/7 basis?

Thank you, Tracy Aston for your response the following week which must have touched the heart strings of many. It most certainly revived bitter memories for me, alongside gratitude to the wonderful and caring staff.

MARION MUGGRIDGE

Potmans Lane