Rubbish tip talks stepped up

THE controversial proposal for a Turkey Road rubbish tip on the site of Ashdown Brickworks has brought renewed calls for action from BALI (Bexhill Against Landfill / Incineration).

They have invited the town's four county councillors to a seminar on October 14 to discuss the next steps before the county council meet to discuss the matter in November.

BALI's environmental lawyer, Geoff Smith of DMH Stallard, Rother District Councillors and officers are also due to attend.

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"We need to be united in this or else we will have another rubbish dump in Bexhill that will blight its future for years to come," said BALI spokesman Nick Hollington,

"As for regeneration, what does it say about the town if we allow this to happen? Does East Sussex think Bexhill's residents are all too old to care about the future, or that they think it will never happen in their lifetime?

"We are talking about a tip opening in 2008 '“ in less than three years '“ within yards of housing, Bexhill High School and, of course, our wonderful Highwoods."

If the landfill goes ahead, it is believed some land next to Bexhill Cemetery will be needed by Ibstock for stockpiling and BALI are pressing Rother council to buy the land and use it instead for expansion of the cemetery.

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BALI understand Rother council are investigating the potential of the quarry for future alternative uses and BALI are hoping to use money raised by successful fund-raising activities to pay for its own expert study. Ideas for possible consideration include a reservoir, a sailing and boating lake, educational centre and hi-tech business park.

"Perhaps local residents may have their alternative suggestions for the Ashdown site" says Nick. "We need the imagination and the money to make sure we use this precious resource for the town's regeneration, not its further decline into a permanent rubbish dump for the rest of East Sussex. After Pebsham, it must be someone else's turn."

BALI are holding a fund-raising quiz night tomorrow, September 3 (phone 224230 for details) and meet on September 13 to elect officers for 2005/06.

If you would like to get involved or help, phone BALI on 0775 1008192 or go to www.nolandfillatbexhill.org.uk

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