Green status for beach

This means it cannot be used for development.

Some 55 campaigners attended the meeting on Wednesday morning at County Hall to hear a decision on the future of this short strip of coastline at Cooden.

Herbrand Walk Beach Preservation Society members, led by chairman John Hodson, were there with Rother District Council members Joanne Gadd and Deirdre Williams.

Owner Steve Hall, who planned family facilities in support of kayaking from the beach, did not attend.

The application for green status was first held in Lewes in December, but adjourned for clarification of certain issues including signs put up by Mr Hall and how these might have affected the “as of right” use of the beach.

After short discussion however the three panel members agreed unanimously to register the beach as a Town Green and their announcement was met with spontaneous applause.

John Hodson said the group was “absolutely overjoyed” and added: “We put 12 months hard graft into this.

“Our thanks to everyone who turned up and supported us for the past year.”

Steve Hall said he was “not bothered” about the decision but is concerned who now will be liable for any claim made following an accident on the beach, a question he is putting to RDC.

He said: “It’s made no difference to me. But it means the jet skiers can be up there for evermore because they have been there for the last 20 years. Whatever activity has happened for the last 20 years can carry on now through this green status.

“It would seem Rother District Council and the HWBPS people have shot themselves in the foot.”

PICTURED: Campaigners at County Hall