Parish council and residents' row with Sedlescombe car company

The Budget Car Company has been locked in a dispute with the parish council and residents for months with the latter saying the firm was not treating villagers with respect.

Pauline Raymond, clerk to Sedlescombe Parish Council, said: "The different companies that have run a car sales area in Sedlescombe have had a good relationship with the village.

"However, the Budget Car Company's operation, which began last year, has produced a substantial increase in the number of cars advertised on various websites but on display for sale in Sedlescombe and a massive increase in complaints from residents."

She claimed cars were also parked on nearby land and on other roads in the village.

The removal of a small fence which surrounded the site has allowed more cars to be on display which are now driven straight off the site onto the B2244 rather than using the proper entrance, it has also been claimed.

The clerk said: "This has caused the grass verge to be eroded as well as causing a nuisance during manoeuvres on the B2244.

"Cars and larger vehicles, including a car transporter and a lorry, obstruct the footway, a field entrance, hinder the sight of people trying to drive from their properties and are a general nuisance for passing vehicles.

"Elderly people wanting to get onto the bus complain they have had to walk into the middle of the road.

"The other businesses treat Sedlescombe and its residents with respect whereas the Budget Car Company believes that squashing far too many cars onto the approved site and filling roads with cars should be acceptable.

"Despite being turned down twice by Rother planners, the shelter used for cleaning cars remains and is now the subject of a planning appeal.

"Both the parish council and the local Police Community Support Officer have found themselves continuously inundated with complaints from people."

She said the parish council has appealed to Rother District Council's enforcement department to take action to bring the business back into the approved area for car sales, replace the small fence, provide a turning area, and to remove the waving yellow balloon.

A spokesman for the company said: "We have spent more than 40,000 on improvements including renewing the verge surface to allow proper drainage and re-seeding, as well as new shingle, better security and updating the building.

"The fence was not a permanent structure and therefore could be removed.

"Cars were moved as soon as it was pointed out that there was a problem with passing vehicles as is always the case when the residents approach us.

"The Budget Car Company always tries to park respectfully and never obstruct driveways or bus stops.

"The dispute between certain members of the village, the parish council and Budget Car Company has been going on for months and in the most part any complaints direct from residents are dealt with quickly and in a friendly manner.

"We are fed up with feeling victimised by a small group.

"We appreciate that the village is a beautiful place to work and live.

"We have a good relationship with other small businesses in the village too and just want to get on with running our successful and professional company."