In
this month's issue:
(Click on a headline to go directly to the article)
To
contact waterlines, write to:
Waterlines
PO Box 124
Eastbourne
BN24 9AW
Or, e-mail
Waterlines
Sovereign Harbour Ltd show it's contempt for harbour residents
On Thursday 4th May, two working days before the deadline, Sovereign Harbour Ltd lodged an appeal against the decision of the Eastbourne Borough Council to reject their application to build a massive B&Q warehouse, builders yard and garden centre right in the entrance to Sovereign Harbour and in the eastern entrance to the town of Eastbourne.
Because of their dreadful trading results, huge reductions in profits, and the severe decline the DIY retail trade in general, it was difficult to believe that B&Q would persist with this ridiculous project. In the 12 months to 28th January, pre-tax profit at B&Q fell 64%. Even the CEO of Kingfisher, Gerry Murphy, admits that there has been a "dramatic downturn" in the UK DIY market. leaving it at its weakest in ten years. Last year, B&Q closed 25 stores and is downsizing 17 of its biggest warehouses "to compensate for the surfeit of retail space in the DIY market" Analysts at CSFB, the company's broker said, "We believe that the UK business has not yet bottomed out and talk of a recovery is very premature".
However, in a bizarre twist, it was revealed that B&Q are not party to this appeal, Sovereign Harbour Ltd are pursuing this issue as 'sole appellants'. To their shame, B&Q, although not wishing to be party to the appeal, have written to the Borough Council saying that they have no objection to SHL continuing alone. Thus, there is an appeal, specifically to build a B&Q warehouse that B&Q don't seem to want.
On the Kingfisher and B&Q websites, much is made of the group's 'social responsibility' policy and their determination to be good neighbours. We need to let them know that we don't care if they are good neighbours or bad neighbours; we just don't want them as neighbours at all.
Please e-mail Kingfisher plc Social Responsibility Department and write to the following Kingfisher executives to let them know how you feel. Please take the time to write, don't assume others will do it for you.
Sir
Frances Mackay, Chairman
Peter Jackson, Chairman Designate
Gerry Murphy, Chief Executive
Ian Cheshire, Chief Executive, B&Q
The
address for all of them is:
Kingfisher plc
3 Sheldon Square
Paddington
London W2 6PX
So, what is this appeal really about? The case that B&Q made to the planning committee was that DIY outlets in the town were 'over trading' and that there was a 'demonstrable need for increased DIY capacity in the town'. That was not the case then, and it most certainly isn't the case now. However, this still seems to be the main thrust of the appeal case.
As harbour residents have always been aware, this application was all about getting a change of land use, to A1 retail. If a precedent could be established, it would leave the door wide open to the creation of the 'Sovereign Harbour Trading Estate' with all of the problems that this would bring to the harbour. However, the most important reason that this development must not be allowed is that the land is badly needed for a business park that would bring thousands of well-paid jobs to Eastbourne, not the hundreds of poorly-paid jobs that would be created by a trading estate. That is the very reason that the EBC zoned it for that purpose in the Borough Plan, and the reason that the previous application was refused by the Planning Committee, and by the inspector on appeal.
The response by harbour residents to the original application was outstanding, we now need you to revive all the passion that you showed last year, and more! Once again, we will be asking you to write your letters of objection, once again we will be asking you to attend the public enquiry in your numbers. Until the appeal is accepted by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, we will not be able to provide a reference number, and address to which you should write, so keep an eye open for updates to the 'News' page on this website.
And
now. Just to show how little they care about sustainable communities,
Sovereign Harbour Ltd have submitted planning applications for four of
the 'Five Sites', all for high-density residential development, that the
harbour needs like a hole in the head.
As
expected, Sovereign Harbour Ltd has followed up the B&Q appeal with
applications for high-density residential developments on four of the
'Five Sites'.
The significant aspect of these applications is that the long promised hotel development, and the much needed health centre are nowhere to be seen. Nor, of course, is there any mention of any of the social infrastructure that SHL have had 25 years to produce. Once again, the thrust is for maximum profit.
Two applications have been submitted for Site One, one is for a single block of 100 apartments, the other for three blocks, totalling 120 apartments.
The
applications for sites two and three, which were withdrawn, have been
resubmitted unchanged. The application for site two is for 18 apartments,
associated car parking and sub-basement berthholder parking, for site
three is for 16 apartments and six houses, and for site four, a number
of retail outlets, with 19 apartments above.
Considering that one of the government's flagship policies is 'Building
Sustainable Communities' and that SHL's parent company, Carillion plc,
is one of the government's strategic partners, it beggars belief that
that they can so blatantly avoid their social responsibilities.
In fact, Carillion's website proudly proclaims their 'sustainability policy'. Following the list of buzzword-filled objectives, they state, "In delivering these objectives we will ensure we will treat others fairly and listen to their concerns". Their definition of 'fair' seems to be at odds with the rest of us, and they seem unable to grasp that listening is a waste of time, if you don't hear what is being said, or don't want to.
Please let Carillion know how you feel about their failure to conform to their own corporate ideals on Sovereign Harbour, by writing to::
Philip
Rogerson, Group Chairman
John McDonough, Group Chief Executive
Roger Robinson, Construction Services Director
at:
Carillion
plc
Birch Street
Wolverhampton WV1 4HY
Please also write to Ruth Kelly, to let her know how much damage the failed policies of her department have caused to Sovereign Harbour residents.
The
Rt. Hon. Ruth Kelly MP
Dept. for Communities & Local Government
Eland House
Bressenden Place
London, SW1E 5DU
Those of you living close to the outer harbour will have noticed that
the repairs to the harbour revetments, that should have started in February,
and were scheduled for sixteen weeks, have only just begun. SHRA committee
members and local residents met last week with Mark Austin, the Kier project
manager, to discuss progress.
We are please to inform you that, although discussions with the Environment Agency and DEFRA delayed the start of the repairs, a new method of working, which uses the rise-and-fall of the tide, means that the project should be finished by mid-June. Also, the amount of work done at 'unsocial hours' will be kept to an absolute minimum, and the new method of working should also greatly reduce the amount of noise generated
When questioned on the subject of suspended silt being deposited in the channel, Mark told us that, when the recent dredging took place, additional silt was removed to compensate for any possible deposits. This additional work, of course, should be funded by the contractors, not by the Sovereign Harbour Trust. We will need to examine next year's accounts very carefully!!
When it was suggested that the 'shield' that is being used to locate the rocks onto the revetments should be dismantled on the 'spit', rather than on the land adjacent to the lock, which would further inconvenience residents, Mark agreed to examine this possibility.
Mark
has also promised to keep us fully informed of progress and will be happy
to respond to residents' questions.
'Marina Mums' is a group, set-up by harbour resident, Sam Skull, to provide
a social network for mums and 'mums to be' and their babies, toddlers
and children. Meetings are held on a monthly basis, to create a social
network, and provide an opportunity to get together, to chat, provide
mutual support and to discuss local issues and concerns.
The
next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 24th May, from 11:00 until
12:00, in Simply Italian on the Waterfront. The only cost will be for
refreshments, if desired.
If you would like to go along, or would be interested in future events,
please contact Sam directly.
Phone or text: 07949-687996
or, e-mail
Sam
Back
to index
There are now over 50 members of Harbour Friends, the social group for
Sovereign Harbour residents, and we are enjoying a great calendar of events
including walks, picnics and safari suppers.
Simply Italian can't accommodate us for our monthly meetings during the busy summer period, but we are working with the new Yacht Club, and hopefully we will be able to come to an arrangement there. There won't be a club meeting in May, but we should be able to announce a date for June very soon. Meanwhile we have various activities planned over the next few weeks.
Bev Adams is in Oz at the moment so, if anyone wants to know more, please e-mail Alison Attwood
About 230 members packed the Haven School in Atlantic Drive for the SHRA
Annual General Meeting, which was held on Tuesday 9th May.
All three of the Sovereign Ward Borough Councillors, Patrick Bowker, Patrick Warner and Chris Williams attended the meeting, as did both of the ward's County Councillors, David Elkin and David Tutt.
The arrival of the members and the beginning of the meeting was filmed by a camera crew from the BBC's Politics Show - South East. This footage was used in a feature of the SHRA that was broadcast on Sunday 14th May. Our chairman, Rick Runalls was a guest in the studio discussion that followed the item.
The meeting started with Rick presenting the chairman' report, which highlighted the enormous progress that the association has made in the previous twelve months and set out the objectives for the coming year. This was followed by the treasurer's report presented by Barry Miles, which showed that that membership had increased to almost 600, and that the association's finances were in very good health. Details of both reports, the minutes of the meeting, and the audited accounts, will all be published on the website in due course.
The current committee stood down and presented themselves for re-election. As no other nominations had been received, all twelve were unanimously re-elected for the year 2006/2007.
Rick then proposed some changes to the constitution, that were mainly focused on improving the democratic processes of the association to take account of the greatly increased membership. The meeting debated the changes and agreed the majority of the proposed changes. The revised constitution will be posted on the website.
The
meeting was then opened to the members and some very heated discussion
ensued. The subjects debated included, the water feature, the Sovereign
Harbour Trust and he problems being caused by the failure of the Borough
Council to adopt the residential developments. Councillors Elkin and Warner
responded with the council's position on residents' concerns. Full
report on this website.
Back
to index
We are pleased to announce the launch of the Sovereign Harbour Racing
Club. Two social outings have been provisionally booked.
On Sunday 9th July, travelling by Flagship luxury coaches, we are heading for Brighton racecourse. Cost, including admission to the Members enclosure. Is just £20 per person.
Then, on Saturday, 26th August, again travelling by Flagship, we are off to Goodwood racecourse for the Celebration Mile and some other high-class races. The cost of this event, including admission to the Gordon Enclosure, is £26 per person.
With
all that's going on around the harbour, why not take a break and have
a day out? To book your seat on the Brighton outing get in touch with
Linus Gunning at 61 Daytona Quay, South Harbour, phone 470757, or
contact 'Waterlines'.
Back
to index
Why not join us for a day out in London on Tuesday 20th June 2006. Local
company, Lynn's Travel, are offering a special price of just £21
per person for a coach trip to London. This special price includes a flight
on the London Eye, which allows spectacular views over the capital.
Sufficient free time will be available to do some shopping, or to have a meal, or just to see the sights.
For your convenience, pick-ups will be arranged from both the North and the South Harbours.
To book your place on this trip, contact:
Mr
& Mrs Leggett on 01323 479633, or
Marj Pratt on 01323 479510, or
The appeal against the refusal of the B&Q application, and the ridiculous
applications for four of the 'Five Sites' shows that Sovereign Harbour
Ltd has absolutely no regard for the hopes and dreams of harbour residents.
As
it has always been clear, their only motivation is to make the maximum
profit from the development, then they will disappear from the harbour
leaving others to clean up their mess. If you care about the future of
the harbour, please join us in the battle, and a battle it most certainly
will be.
Over the coming weeks and months, we will be asking you to write letters
of protest and sign petitions. Please don't leave it to others, the stronger
our collective voice, the better our chance of success.
If you are not a member of the SHRA, or are one of the few who has not yet rejoined from last year, please join the association. Your membership fee will help us to prepare the case to be presented at the Public Enquiry, and to keep you informed of developments.
£10.00
is a small price to pay for the future of Sovereign Harbour. Download
an application form from the 'Join' page on this website.
Back
to index
Members' surgeries.
Don't forget the monthly members' surgeries at Simply Italian on the
Waterfront.
Future Surgeries from 10:30 to 11:30 on Saturday:
-
3rd June, 2006
-
1st July, 2006
The
tradesmen on the list below have been recommended by our members. Although
we are happy to publish the names, the SHRA is unable to endorse the
recommendations and would urge members to make their own checks.
We would appreciate your comments, good or bad, on the service you receive
or, if you feel you would like to add a service to the list, please
write to us at:
Waterlines
PO Box 124
Eastbourne
BN24 9AW
Or, e-mail
Waterlines
For
a complete list, go to the 'Tradesmen' page on this website
Back
to index
Remember the hosepipe ban
We
know it's inconvenient, and we know that the water companies have neglected
the infrastructure leading to enormous wastage, but the hosepipe and
sprinkler ban that was imposed last summer is still in effect. Additionally,
Southern Water might apply for emergency powers, that would also restrict
commercial use of water. This would mean that boat owners who are currently
able to hose down their boats using copious amounts of Sovereign Harbour
Ltd's commercial supply would no longer be able to do so.
We are not on the side of the water companies, but please try to be
responsible with your use of water for the good of the whole community.
Also, be aware that SW are likely to be looking for a few transgressors
to make an example of, and remember, the maximum fine for ignoring
the ban is £1,000.
Back
to index
Our thanks to our sponsors, who's generosity has again allowed us to produced this newsletter at almost no cost to our members.
To our regular sponsors,
Temple
Bird,
Waterfront Solicitors
and to our repeat sponsors.
Property
Rentals,
Specialists in Residential Letting of Flats and Houses
and our new sponsors for May,
Linda
Bostock
Herbal Medicines
Colon
Hydrothrerapy Clinic
at the Natural Fitness Centre
Waterlines, the newsletter of the Sovereign Harbour Residents Association, is delivered free to every residential property on Sovereign Harbour. We are only able to do this because we have a dedicated group of people who give up their time to distribute the newsletters and a number of sponsors who contribute cash to help us with the cost of production.
Over the past year, we have been very fortunate to have had the help of several local businesses, and we are very grateful for this. However, we produce Waterlines on a monthly basis, and we need four sponsors every month in order to avoid serious depletion of our funds, so we are always looking for new sponsors.
Apart from our sincere gratitude, our sponsors get an advertisement, similar to those above, in the current issue, and a permanent listing on the home page of our website, with a link to their website.
To become an SHRA sponsor,
e-mail Waterlines
or call us on: 07770-621368