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poliphiloIt's in the news this morning that Eastbourne Council is planning to sell off the farmland around Beachy Head- which it purchased in 1929 with money raised by public subscription.
The idea was to hold the land in perpetuity, with strict controls over its use and guaranteed rights of public access.
Perpetuity turns out to mean less than a hundred years.
It so happens we were up on Beachy Head yesterday afternoon- and I was- among other things- admiring the plaques that record the purchase and thinking, "Well done, Eastbourne."
This morning my opinion of the town and its Council is a little less enthusiastic.
The idea was to hold the land in perpetuity, with strict controls over its use and guaranteed rights of public access.
Perpetuity turns out to mean less than a hundred years.
It so happens we were up on Beachy Head yesterday afternoon- and I was- among other things- admiring the plaques that record the purchase and thinking, "Well done, Eastbourne."
This morning my opinion of the town and its Council is a little less enthusiastic.
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Date: 2017-02-25 12:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-02-25 12:54 pm (UTC)This is the work of people who only think in terms of cash in hand.
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Date: 2017-02-25 02:47 pm (UTC)When Medway council tried to sell off an area of public land known as the 'Great Lines' in Gillingham they came badly unstuck when it was pointed out that it wasn't them that owned in but the people of Gillingham.
The same happened with 'Backfields' in Rochester.
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Date: 2017-02-25 03:17 pm (UTC)They're consulting the people of Eastbourne- and I hope they'll give their Council a resounding "No."
Talk about selling off the family silver.
They want £25 million. That's probably too steep for the National Trust.
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Date: 2017-02-25 03:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-02-25 04:21 pm (UTC)You thinking of putting in a bid?
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Date: 2017-02-25 08:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-02-25 08:36 pm (UTC)