Legal action on hotel issue

Chairman John Lee announced this week: "Supporters of the campaign to prevent building on Bexhill's seafront will be pleased to learn that SOS has submitted a formal application to East Sussex County Council for the putting green to be registered as a 'Town Green' under the provisions of the Commons Registration Act, 1965.

"This action follows research undertaken by SOS vice-chairman Mrs Jean Bishop and subsequent legal advice from the Open Spaces Society. The application was submitted on January 14 following formal attestation.

"SOS believes the green clearly qualifies for such registration. Since the demolition of the derelict Metropole Hotel in 1955, the site has been used continuously as a public open space for putting and other recreational activities.

"The application is supported by required statements from 13 long-standing local residents from all over the town. Each has confirmed that they have freely used the green for recreation for at least 20 years in the period from July 31, 1970.

"This evidence is strengthened by an earlier statement by the chief executive of Rother District Council who confirmed, in a previous unrelated letter, that the council 'deemed the land to be public trust land.'

"If the application succeeds, it would guarantee the maintenance of the site as a Town Green in perpetuity for the benefit of the community. The council and its developer, Sea Space, will challenge the application which, of course, SOS will meet."

The chairman added: "This is one small example of initiatives being undertaken behind the scenes by SOS."

Campaigners were planning to demonstrate outside the Town Hall yesterday afternoon. The action is timed to coincide with a meeting of Rother planning committee.

The organisation hoped to use the occasion to present their protest petition opposing seafront development.

Volunteers will be delivering appeal letters to the homes of 900 seafront residents as part of a campaign to raise a campaign fund. Organisers have personally borne the cost of action taken to date. Now SOS has engaged a Brighton-based firm of specialist solicitors to act for them.