Bid to sell Scouts' HQ upsets leaders

BITTER divisions among Seahaven Scout leaders have emerged over a bid to demolish a Scout HQ and sell the land to a developer.

BITTER divisions among Seahaven Scout leaders have emerged over a bid to demolish a Scout HQ and sell the land to a developer.

A planning application to knock down the HQ, in Chichester Road, Seaford, and build three four-bedroom houses has been made by the Seahaven District Scout Council.

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However, not all Scout council members agree with the decision which, they say, has been made by the council's executive committee without any one else's input.

Scout chiefs say the building is not used enough by Scout groups, is run down and would cost too much to repair.

At a Seaford Town Council planning committee meeting on Thursday last week, Cllr John Freeman delivered nearly 30 letters of objection.

'Within the Scout association emotions are running high indeed,' he said.

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Cllr Freeman told the meeting that the HQ was well used, with up to 300 local people through its doors each week, including Scouts, Guides, dance classes and a nursery group. Four Guide groups have since been forced to leave and are now based at Seaford Baptist Church.

Cllr Freeman said the plans had left a 'sour taste in Scout and Guide leaders mouths' and would lead to the 'degradation of the whole Scout and Guide movement'.

Cllr Laurie Holland added: 'There is a lot of disquiet among the (Scouting) organisation. As a town we can ill afford to lose a hall this must not be lost.

'It would be inappropriate to have building on that site and lose a hall which is well used. It concerns me greatly.'

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Former Seaford Scout Leader Barry Trigwell told the Express he was shocked a bid had been made to destroy a building which had been used by scouting groups since the 1920's. 'I am concerned that another asset is being lost for the youth of the town,' he said.

John Bamblett, 16th Seaford Scouts leader, was concerned not everyone had been given the chance to comment before a planning application had been made.

He said: 'It is just the executive that is making the decision without the run-of-the-mill Scout leaders having the chance to have their say.'

Scouts used the grounds of the HQ as the setting to earn badges and learn skills like fire lighting.

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The District Commissioner of Seahaven Scout Council, Carol Wheeler, said all Scout leaders would have the chance to comment before a final decision was made on the future of the HQ.

'We have procedure within the Scouting association that we have to follow and that has been followed to the letter.'

When all information was gathered representatives of Scout groups in Seaford, Newhaven, Peacehaven and Telscombe would be invited to have their say. 'Once information has been gathered we will go back and see them,' said Mrs Wheeler.

However, she said the building was underused by Scout groups and grants were unavailable to carry out vital repairs.

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No specific project had been earmarked to benefit from the cash raised if the sale went ahead.

'The money would be used for the good of scouting,' said Mrs Wheeler.

Seaford Town Council recommended the planning application be rejected on the grounds it was an over development and would result in the loss of a community asset.

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