In this month's issue:
(Click on a headline to go directly to the article)

• Last Chance to Save the Harbour
• MVS Fun Weekend
• SHRA Anti-boat, absolutely not!
• Marina mums
• Harbour Friends
• Have you forgotton to renew your membership?
• Sovereign Racing Club
• Fly the Eye
• Weeding out the weeds, . . . .and managing the management companies
• Why not become an SHRA Sponsor

• Members' surgeries
• 'Reliable Tradesmen'
• Herb Walk
• This Month's Sponsors

To contact waterlines, write to:

Waterlines
PO Box 124
Eastbourne
BN24 9AW

Or, e-mail Waterlines

Planning Inspectorate accept B&Q Appeal

The appeal against the EBC's decision to refuse planning consent for a B&Q warehouse has been accepted by the Planning Inspectorate and is now 'live'. This means that anybody who wishes to object to this application has until 11th July to submit their protest to the Inspector.

The EBC, the SHRA and the Eastbourne Society will all be submitting 'Statements of Case' to the Inspector, but individuals can also submit objections and we would urge all of you to do so.

Don't leave it to others, write your letter today and show the Inspector just how much local opposition there is to this monstrous proposal.

What makes the situation even more ridiculous is that B&Q have withdrawn from the appeal, and Sovereign Harbour Ltd are fighting it alone. This shows that obtaining 'change of use' for this land was always the only reason for this application.

Your letters should be written to:

The Planning Inspectorate
Room 3/20
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6PN

Quoting reference: APP/T1410/A/06/2015765/NWF

E-mail your objection

At the end of the consultation period, the Inspector will examine the evidence and set-up a Public Enquiry. This is unlikely to be held until late in 2006 or early 2007. We will keep you informed of progress.

Five Sites

As reported in the May issue of Waterlines, Sovereign Harbour Ltd has followed up the B&Q appeal with applications for high-density residential developments on four of the 'Five Sites'.

Only concerted protest action by residents can prevent SHL from driving the final nail in the harbour's coffin.

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 at the expense of residents.

Two alternative applications have been submitted for Site One, EB/2006/0349, is for a single block of 100 apartments; EB/2006/0350 is for three blocks, totalling 122 apartments. Neither is appropriate for this site.

The applications for sites two and three, which were withdrawn, have been resubmitted unchanged.

The application for site two EB/2006/0351 is for 18 apartments, associated car parking and sub-basement berthholder parking.

The application for site three EB/2006/0353 is for 16 apartments and six houses.

The application for site four, EB/2006/0354, a number of retail outlets, with 19 apartments above.

These applications will go to the 8th August meeting of the Planning Committee.

Objections, by 21st July, to:

The Development Control Manager
68 Grove Road
Eastbourne BN21 4UH

Please also let Carillion know how you feel about their attempt to finally destroy the Harbour Village concept that we have all bought into.

Write 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

The more of us that write, the greater the impact. So please make the time to put pen to paper; it would be a brave executive, or minister, who would ignore us.

Also, write to your MP,

Nigel Waterson MP,
179 Victoria Drive,
Eastbourne, BN20 8QJ

Let him know the strength of feeling that exists on the harbour. Let him know that we expect him to intervene on our behalf with the Secretary of State.
All in all, a lot of letter writing, but if we are to save the harbour, we must all play our part.

Back to index

Over the weekend of 3rd and 4th June, the Marine Voluntary Service (MVS) held a 'Fun Weekend' on the Sovereign Harbour Waterfront.

The weekend, which was a huge success, featured the first running of the 'World Championship Pantomime Horse Races' which were run at a variety of distances, 'on the flat', 'over the jumps' and on an obstacle course. There was also a fun fair and a number of stalls, including one set up by the SHRA.

The SHRA stall, which was manned throughout the two days by committee members, featured a display of past editions of Waterlines and press cuttings and also an impression of how site one would look if the proposed development was allowed to go ahead. It gave us a great opportunity to chat to members, and prospective members and, in the course of the two days, we sign up over twenty new members, 'on the spot'.

The events of the weekend really emphasised the importance of the area opposite the Waterfront (Site Four) as a community space, and as a vital ingredient to Sovereign Harbour's contribution to Eastbourne's tourist trade.
If the proposed development is allowed to take place, this important space will be lost for ever and events, such as the Fun Weekend, will never be repeated.

This development, as planned, is totally inappropriate and the SHRA have developed alternative proposals for this area, and the other four sites. These proposals have been presented to the Eastbourne Borough Council cabinet for consideration and, at the earliest opportunity, we will stage an exhibition of them for residents to view and comment on; we think you will like them.

The loss of the Five Sites will be a disaster for the future of the Sovereign Harbour and for tourism in Eastbourne. Keep writing your letters!

Back to index

During the course of the Fun Weekend, apart from harbour residents, we also had the opportunity to talk to visitors from out of town and also to a number of boat owners. We were disturbed to find that some boat owners are under the impression that the SHRA is 'anti-boat'; nothing could be further from the truth.

Boats and boating activities are what makes a harbour development unique and many of our members are boating people. It is one of the main reasons that we all bought into the 'Harbour Village' concept.

What we do object to, is the small minority of boat owners who, rather than use the reserved berthholder parking, leave their cars, all day, in scarce residential parking areas, and then return late at night, slamming doors and disturbing residents.

We are aware that one of the reasons that this problem exists is that Sovereign Harbour Ltd's have failed to provide adequate facilities for boat owners in the appropriate places. We are fighting for your needs, as well as those of residents, to make the harbour a better place for everybody.

Back to index

''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, 28th June, 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.

Phone or text: 07949-687996
or, e-mail Sam

Back to index

There is a new venue for Harbour Friends, the Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club. If any of you have not been to the new Yacht Club before, now's your chance, it's a super place and it should be just great for our regular social evenings. We plan to meet on the last Sunday of each month, and the first meeting in our new home will be on Sunday 25 June from 7pm.

We have to pay to use the yacht club for our social nights so we are going to make a small charge for membership of Harbour Friends, £6 to the end of this year and then £12 per year payable on 1st January. That's just £1 per month, and we hope you will agree it's a fair deal to keep our social group going from strength to strength. New members can come and join us for their first "do" free and if you like us, which I'm sure you will, then pay the subs from the next time. We are non-profit making and any funds in the bank account at the end of the year will pay towards a Christmas Do or something we all want to do.

We look forward to meeting Harbour Friends -new and old - on Sunday 25th. If you have any queries, call Bev 01323-479797, or e-mail Bev

Back to index

Since membership closed for the 2005/2006 year, almost 250 new members have joined the SHRA and most of the existing members have rejoined.

However, there are still a few members who have not yet renewed their membership. We hope that this is because you've forgotten, or have just not 'got round to it'. With all that is going on around the harbour, the B&Q appeal, the Five Sites, the Sovereign Harbour Trust, the adoption of developments, etc., it is essential that we present a united face to the land owners and developers. Our strength is in numbers.

If you intend to rejoin, it would be much appreciated if you could do so by the end of June. However if, for any reason, you have decided not to renew your membership, we would really like to know why.
If we have failed to meet your expectations, please let us know what we would need to do to persuade you to come back.

Whatever your decision, records of any members who have not renewed by the end of June will be removed from our database, and their membership numbers will be returned to the pool for reallocation to new members.

Of course, if you have never been a member, you are most welcome to join us and add to the strength of our voice. Just complete the form below and return it with your cheque to the address shown.


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.T

here has been a very encouraging response to the SHRC concept, but the Brighton meeting still has a few spare places.

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.

After Brighton the club will be heading for the picturesque Goodwood Racecourse on Saturday 26th August for the Celebration Mile. Book your seat NOW.


Back to index

The day out in London, with a 'flight on the London Eye' , organised by Bert and Margaret Leggett in conjunction with Lynns Travel has been fully subscribed.

Unfortunately, a few people responded too late and were disappointed. Look out for future events, which will be advertised in Waterlines.

Back to index

Anyone who strolls round the marina will be disgusted by the weeds and grass growing in the walkways. Most of the walkways are affected, and the weeds are particularly bad at the far end of the north harbour and the stretch between the south and west harbour bridges.

So who is responsible? The walkways have not yet been adopted and, apart from a small stretch around the Waterfront cafes that is managed by Sovereign Harbour Ltd, responsibility for upkeep rests with the individual property developers.

Unfortunately, once the properties are sold and the marketing effort is over, some developers can't be bothered with ongoing care and maintenance. The result is what you see - grass and weeds turning our prestigious marina development into an eyesore.

We need a concerted effort from all residents to get the developers to take responsibility and clean up the mess. Can everyone who has a home bordering the walkways where weeds are growing please write to their developer now. Describe the problem (you may want to attach photos), ask for this to be sorted as a matter of priority, and ask the company to reply within 7 days letting you know how the work will be undertaken, and when.

The residents association committee also wants to build a database of every management company operating on the harbour. Please email details of your management company (name of firm, address, tel no and contact name if known) plus your own location (road/estate) to Alison. With your help, we can build the database and publish this on the SHRA website quickly.

Please help weed out the weeds and get writing now!

…and Managing the Management Companies

It's not just weeds on the walkways that are getting people down. Residents in various parts of the harbour have experienced problems with maintenance of their communal areas (gardens, stairwells etc). Most of us are paying around £200 a year or more for this service, and it's up to us to make sure we get it. Please don't tolerate bad service.

Many of the management companies are distant from Sovereign Harbour and can't see what's going on, so they need your help to identify the problems. Start by writing to your management company and setting out what needs to be done.

But you don't have to stop there. In some parts of the harbour, residents have pulled together to change their management company, and two groups of residents have bought the freehold of their apartments.

NB We do NOT recommend that you refuse to pay the maintenance fees - you could find yourself facing horrendous charges from a debt recovery firm - but with a concerted effort through the right channels, residents can make a difference. If you have a story to tell, please email Alison at alsison.attwood@shra.co.uk with details and we will publish case studies in future issues of Waterlines.

Back to index

• 1st July, 2006
• 5th August, 2006

Back to index