Public hearing on Herbrand Walk plans

Members of Herbrand Walk Preservation Society will attend the one day informal hearing at the town hall from 10am on Tuesday morning when Steve Hall will renew his efforts to win approval for his plans for beach huts, public toilets and water sports centre.

Mr Hall, who owns a 360 metre section of the beach, will be hoping to reverse the decision of Rother District Council's planning committee last March when it turned down his planning application.

The Preservation Society was formed earlier this year "to save the beach from destruction by development" according to chairman John Hodson.

It now has almost 500 members.

Mr Hodson, of Cooden Sea Road, said: "This application proposed the erection of 31 additional beach huts for five months of the year and the barricading of the rest of the beach with 112 metres of permanent sleeper walls 800mm high alongside the road with logs between laid in the shingle.

"Everyone is invited to attend the hearing to demonstrate to the inspector the strength of local feeling against these proposals to commercialise the beach and to emphasise the affection we have for this unique and tranquil unspoiled local amenity."

Mr Hodson said that new members are joining the group all the time - this week there were 480, and he is expecting more by the time of the hearing.

He added: "There is tremendous affection for this beach. No-one wants to see it change - that is the problem.

"Our hope is we shall succeed in getting this appeal refused."

Mr Hall commented this week: "I will be there on Tuesday and we will see what happens."