Council saved by protestors over exhibition mix-up

Official feedback forms provided by Rother District Council (RDC) to comment on the new seafront shelter design were used up within hours of the exhibition opening on the top floor of the De La Warr Pavilion on Monday, December 28.

Forms from October's Next Wave exhibition at Bexhill Museum were also mixed in with the pile, leading to further confusion over irrelevant questions about the design of the Rowing Club and Colonnade.

Some visitors have mistaken the exhibition for a college project, or an artwork.

Jackie Bialeska, chair of Next Wave protest group Vox Pop, printed an extra 40 forms on the exhibition's opening day.

Chairman of Save Our Seafront (SOS) Ron Storkey brought 300 more forms to ensure residents would be able to express their views over the Christmas break. He estimated they were gone within a few days.

The council's handling of the exhibition has already attracted criticism. Rushed through after competition winners Michael Tite and Tom Ebdon withdrew from the project, the lack of explanatory information and the decision for the model to include the tree, which has already been dismissed by RDC, have upset some residents.

In a letter to the paper this week, Jackie urged people to make their views known: "Because of the general fiasco at the exhibition... and because many of the consultation forms were the wrong ones, quite a few people turned away, saying:'It's no use, it won't make any difference'.

"However the public's opinion could still make a big and important difference."

Next Wave project officer Janice Windle said of the exhibition: "Its location was widely publicised in the local media and on the Rother and Next Wave websites.

"The majority of people interested in commenting would have been aware the display was on the top floor of the pavilion. However staff at the Pavilion were also on hand to guide people to the display.

"A batch of incorrect forms did appear for a short while due to an admin error which we regret but we are very grateful to Mr Storkey, chairman of SOS, for replacing them. We estimate these incorrect forms were available for no more than half a day.

"Councillors agreed at their recent cabinet meeting to have the model, including the tree, put on public display as soon as possible.

"It was made clear at cabinet, in the press and on the comment forms that this is a concept design and we are asking the public to suggest refinements, including possible changes to the tree.

"This will allow us, in conjunction with the architects, to finalise the design."

The exhibition runs until January 13.

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