Public calls for end to eye-sore

RYE residents have demanded to know why a derelict garage on Winchelsea Road has been allowed to remain an eye-sore.

The issue was raised by members of the public at last week’s Annual Town Meeting.

Resident Simon Barton said: “That whole stretch of road is a complete eye-sore and a very poor advertisement for tourists whose business Rye relies on.”

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The garage site is owned by the Environment Agency who are involved in carrying out tests to establish the level of contamination.

Until these have been completed there is nothing that can be done with the site.

Hopes that the garage, and other derelict parcels of Environment Agency land along New Winchelsea Road, could be turned into green public space was unlikely the meeting was told.

Colonel Anthony Kimber, of Rye emergency group REACT, said: “ I know that they are still testing for contamination on that site and that it has not been resolved yet.

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“When it is they will be looking for tenants to provide income. They won’t just grass over it.”

Rye Mayor Shaun Rogers said: “The town continues to be plagued by derelict sites.

“We have the same situation at Ferry Road with the supermarket site.

“Tesco are understood to have rejected at least three offers from Sainsburys to buy the Queen Adelaide.

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“The pub is now up for let, which suggests no agreement has been reached.

“Rother council is reluctant to go ahead with a compulsory purchase as it cannot be seen to favour one applicant over another.”