Solution to Seaford’s Talland Parade ‘eyesore’ could be in sight, says Lewes MP

Lewes MP James MacCleary (Lib Dem) made the announcement while responding to news that the Labour government has updated guidance on compulsory purchase orders.

He said this could offer a solution to Talland Parade, a building that has had planning permission for ten flats for over a decade.

The building fell into disrepair and a controversial scaffolding structure was erected in 2012, remaining in place until a high court order called for Vision Properties, the scaffolding owners, to take the structure down by July 25, 2023.

East Sussex County Councillor Carolyn Lambert (Lib Dem, Seaford South) said: “Previously, the council was not able to use compulsory purchase legislation to buy a single building. James MacCleary MP asked a parliamentary question to request that local councils be given compulsory purchase powers for stalled development sites with planning permission. The reply indicates that guidance has been updated which may offer a way forward for Talland Parade.

“We are now challenging the Green administration who run Lewes District Council to support Seaford residents and to explore the ways in which they could use these changed powers to finally solve the unacceptable mess that remains at the centre of the town. I will be writing to the Green Leader of the Council to ask for this to be explored as a matter of urgency.”

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MP James MacCleary said: “Councils should have much greater power to set the direction for sites of major interest to their communities. The answer from the minister is encouraging, and I will pass this on to the council so that they can use it to push for further action on the blight of Talland Parade in the centre of Seaford.”

In July 2023, the Sussex Express reported that Lewes District Council made a claim of public nuisance to the High Court against the owner of Talland Parade in December 2022 and sought an injunction for the removal of the scaffolding.

In February 2024, the Sussex Express reported that Seaford barber Gary Bedford, whose business spent eight years underneath the scaffolding, was closing The Barber’s Chair. Gary had reported water coming in and black mould and said he could not invest in improvements either.