New battlelines

The campaign group which successfully opposed at Rother planning stage the Churchill Retirement Living scheme for flats fronting Knole Road is now preparing to fight the developers' appeal.

It has used planning law to gain equal footing at the appeal with the developers and Rother District Council.

Churchill and Gullivers Bowling Club seek permission to build the retirement flats. The bid includes a new clubhouse and indoor bowling green.

The club says that without the deal, which would involve the loss of its second outdoor green - no longer in use - it cannot continue in its ageing, asbestos-clad, accommodation.

Neighbours forming the action group contest the bid, arguing that it involves loss of the only area of open space between Egerton Park and Galley Hill.

The planning appeal opens on Tuesday, April 24 at St Peter's Community Centre, moving for its expected second day to the Town Hall.

Now action group chairman Christine Madeley has written to all action group supporters advising them of the hearing and thanking them for writing to the planning inspectorate to back up the group's objections.

"As an Action Group we have been working hard with frequent committee meetings at St Barnabas' Crypt '“ financed largely by contributions each week from each member attending '“ in order to be seen to be working on neutral territory!

"We have tried to keep public meetings to a minimum during the winter months whilst burning the midnight oil ourselves!

"The preparation for the planning appeal has been meticulous, as we are very aware that while the original planning application was turned down unanimously by our elected councillors, Rother's planning department still seems to be able to see 'some building on that site'.

"Our first task was to prepare a dossier for the Planning Inspectorate to reiterate and expand on all your '“ and our - raised objections.

"Further research indicated that in exceptional cases application can be made by third parties for what is known as Rule 6(6) status, and this was duly applied for and granted on the numbers and strength of opposition to the proposed building.

"This status provides us with the right to sit alongside Rother and Churchill at the Public Inquiry '“ itself a comparatively rare event as the vast majority of appeals are dealt with by correspondence.

"This means that GAG will have the opportunity to cross-examine and call expert witnesses. But this status has also required us to produce a Statement of Case followed by Proof of Evidence...

"We have demonstrated through the above our total involvement in fighting any residential development on this historic, open space in accordance with our mandate, and we will do everything in our power to represent you to the very best of our ability.

"If Churchill win this Appeal, building will start, so your last opportunity to support us in person is by attending the inquiry, starting at 10am on each day.

"While we appreciate that these are normal working days, we do urge as many of you as possible to attend both sessions. It is very important that the Inspector sees that the physical presence is as strong as the written opposition! Your help is vital! Your individual opinions too can be voiced at the Inquiry.

"It is so important that we are all seen and heard!"

Gullivers Action Group holds an open meeting on Tuesday in the crypt at St Barnabas' Church, Sea Road, at 6.30 p.m. to give supporters the opportunity to ask questions.