Future of Scout group resolved

Uncertainty about the future of Aldwick and Pagham Sea Scouts has been resolved for the time being.

The Scout group feared that a change of owner of its site on Sefter Road could see the 92 adults and young people involved forced to move.

Landowner George Wimpey was said to be selling the plot with the adjoining area to the north to another developer.

But the fears of the Scouts, Cubs and Beavers have been allayed. Scout group secretary Jill Atkinson said: 'Apparently, Wimpey and Taylor Woodrow have merged, revisited their land banks and decided not to sell our land after all.

'So, we are secure until November 2009 when our lease expires. I cannot see why it would not be renewed after that. We shall try to get a longer lease nearer the time.'

The Scout group has occupied the 3.7 acres of land since April 1983.

Its leaders' attempts to buy the plot when Wimpey was considering the sell-off were rejected by the firm.

The company charges a nominal annual rent of 1 for the use of the land. It has never collected the money.