Former Eastbourne MP breaks silence on downland sale

Stephen Lloyd has defended his Liberal Democrat collegues at the council, but is encouraging the people of Eastbourne to read up on both sides of the argument.

He said, “The proposed sale of the downland farms is obviously an incredibly controversial issue.

“I know very well that David Tutt and the council are even contemplating this proposal because of swingeing 50 per cent cuts from central government.

“Other councils across East Sussex – from Hastings, East Sussex County Council, and Brighton – have responded to these Government reductions by cutting front line services.

“Eastbourne Borough Council, under the leadership of David Tutt and the Lib Dems, has not cut front line services.

“However, I wholly agree with many of the people who have contacted me about the council’s option of selling the downland farms, which is why for many months now I have been lobbying behind the scenes for the council to put the facts before the public so that they can decide.

“I recommend that Eastbourne people don’t just look at what the council has to say in the Eastbourne Review, but also read what Eastbourne Friends of the Earth and others who oppose the sale of downland farms have to say.

“I’m confident that David Tutt and his team will listen to the views of local people.

“They have always done so and David is a man of tremendous integrity who I’m proud to call a friend.”

For more information about the arguments against the sale, visit www.eastbournefriendsoftheearth.wordpress.com

To view the latest Eastbourne Review, which includes a poll on whether the council should sell the land or cut front line services, go to www.eastbourne.gov.uk/news/eastbourne-review