Forum thumbs down for shelter design

An ad-hoc show of hands suggested during Tuesday's meeting at the DLWP by seafront campaigner Ron Storkey revealed unanimous public feeling on two counts '“ that those present did not approve the look of the shelter, and that they did not think it was up to the job of providing protection from the elements.

No hands were raised from the floor in support of the design and this display of opinion was rounded off by enthusiastic applause.

Prior to requesting this impromptu vote Mr Storkey admitted his views were "pointless" and told those attending the Forum: "Whatever you say, it will make no difference."

A question was later put to Rother District Council leader Carl Maynard on the issue of residents having no input in the final design, although there had been previous firm assurances from Rother that the shelter design would be practical and fit for purpose.

Cllr Maynard was asked if he considered this process democracy in action to which he replied: "The answer is simply 'yes'.

He added: "As I said before with any design you are not going to please all the people all of the time...but are they fit for purpose? That is the question."

This was followed by a grilling from the the depths of the auditorium from Carole Woodland who was concerned that RDC had not had to apply for planning permission for Next Wave development even though, she pointed out, local residents and businesses have to gain permission for even small changes they want to make.

"This totally amazes me," she commented.

"How can the council get away with it?"

Trevor Hawkins described himself as "a concerned resident of Bexhill" and, saying that most people had seen the design "and aren't very happy", called for a petition against it.

A different point of view was expressed by a newcomer to Bexhill who recently moved down from London.

He recalled childhood years during the war and the sanctuary at that time provided by Anderson Shelters which he said "saved thousands of lives".

He told the Forum: "I have never heard so much about shelters. They are not here to save lives, they are not first aid posts.

"In ten years time everyone will wonder what all this fuss was about."