Link road: timing of meeting on purchase orders criticised

A MEETING is taking place this coming week to pre-empt the forthcoming public inquiry into the Bexhill to Hastings link road.

The decision on the road itself escaped being called in, but there will be an inquiry into a string of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs).

And, at the meeting which takes place on Thursday at De La Warr Pavilion, the independent public inquiry inspector will agree how the eventual inquiry will be conducted.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

East Sussex County Council has been negotiating with landowners to purchase the land needed both directly for the link road and also for environmental habitats to replace those affected by the road.

It has already issued a string of CPOs '“ orders which effectively force the landowner to sell the authority the land. The public inquiry will eventually consider objections to these orders.

Anyone opposed to the CPOs will be given the chance to raise their objections with Christopher Tipping '“ the inquiry inspector. He will then report on his findings to the Secretary of State for Transport and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Leonardo Coppola runs the Viking Fish Bar, at the crossing between London Road and the A259. He is subject to a potential CPO. In March Leonardo told the Observer he had given up worrying about link road speculation, but would take action when it happened.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He was disappointed at being unable to attend the pre-public inquiry meeting, and criticised the timing. He said: "We probably won't be going because I've got the shop.

"I think it's just to keep people happy. I would like to go to it.

"Maybe people are going to be working that day. They should've done it in the evening."

Leonardo said communication from the county council has been weak, and does not think the meeting has been given enough publicity. He said: "I spoke with thee or four customers who will be affected, and they're not really sure what's going on."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Laura and Ray Boggis, of Bynes Farm, Crowhurst, have made sure they are in the loop.

The link road nudges the south boundary of their land and directly affects their farming.

Laura, who will be attending the September 3 meeting, said: "We were questioning as planning permission was granted on July 29 whether this is a farce.

"Are we just going through the motions, or does this carry any weight? Is he going to listen to the concerns of Woodland Trust, Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace. We're all against it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"And is he going to take notice of the fog problems in the Combe Valley?

"September 3 is a work day, and lots of people can't take time off to attend the meeting."

Next week's pre-public inquiry gets underway at 2pm and is open to the public.

The public inquiry itself will start on November 10 at the White Rock Theatre and is expected to last for four weeks.

Those behind the 100million project are hopeful work can start within the next 12 months.