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From Seagulls web site, by By Paul Camillin:
The Department for Communities & Local Government today confirmed they have heard nothing from any of the opponents to the scheme, and Dick Knight said, "This is wonderful news, it is an achievement which every Albion fan however they took part, writing letters, making banners or marching with us, can be really proud of, we are grateful to all of them for the part they have played in the campaign.
"Now it's time to celebrate, and what better way to do it than at Withdean this Friday - it should be a memorable night. This is a momentous day in the club's history, and now we can really start planning for the future.
A jubilant Martin Perry added, "We've finally got the news we have all wanted for the last seven years! But we must remember that we could not have achieved this without the fans, and the help of so many people, but in particular the Falmer For All campaign team, brilliantly chaired by Paul Samrah."
Albion chairman Knight and chief executive Perry have been at the forefront of the campaign for Falmer, but the hard work continues as the club now moves to the funding and legal stage, before building is scheduled to commence at the end of next year.
See also: Falmer: The Next Steps
From BBC News:
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears gave the project planning approval on Tuesday.
The League One side, who currently play at the Withdean Stadium, have been without a permanent home since 1997.
And in 2005 it thought it had won its battle to build the arena, but an error led to the decision being quashed.
The planning application for a new ground on land north of Village Way, in Falmer, has been through two public inquiries.
It was opposed by some residents, the parish council, Lewes council and conservation groups because of its proximity to the South Downs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Changes announced earlier this month to the boundaries for a South Downs National Park mean a stadium coach park at Falmer no longer falls within the proposed park.
See also: It's Yes To Falmer! - Seagulls web site
From BBC News:
The decision from the government had been expected by Monday at the latest, but the target date has now been pushed back to 25 July.
It follows Hazel Blears replacing Ruth Kelly as Communities secretary.
The football club has been in a temporary home at the Withdean athletics stadium since 1999.
Its planning application for a new ground on land north of Village Way, in Falmer, has been through two public inquiries and a quashed government decision last year.
A statement from the Department for Communities and Local Government said: "Following the recent change of prime minister and subsequent changes of Cabinet positions, the new Secretary of State for Communities has decided to extend the target decision date to ensure she has sufficient time to fully consider the case.
"The decision will now be issued on or before 25 July."
All "interested parties" in the plans have been informed of the postponement.
The club's chief executive, Martin Perry, recently reiterated the need for the 23,000-seater stadium, saying: "For the supporters themselves we cannot provide them with the kind of experience that they deserve, and the facilities they need for a really good match day experience."
Changes announced earlier this week to the boundaries for a South Downs National Park mean a stadium coach park at Falmer no longer falls within the proposed park.
See also: BBC News - National park boundaries revised
From www.Seagulls.co.uk, by By Paul Camillin:
Two years at the end of the 1990s were spent in exile at Gillingham, when fans had to endure a 140-mile round trip to Kent for home matches.
In 1999, the club returned to temporary accommodation at the Withdean athletics stadium, on the outskirts of the city.
However (as fans who've been will testify) the tiny converted facility is far from ideal for Conference football - let alone league football - and the club hope one day they'll be able to welcome visiting supporters to a modern arena at Falmer; where they hope their long-term future lies.
A planning application was first heard in 2002, which Brighton & Hove City Council gave the go ahead. However the Government called in the application and a public inquiry was held.
After the first public inquiry (which was also re-opened) then Secretary of State John Prescott gave the go ahead; however a legal challenge by opponents to the new stadium highlighted an administrative error.
That meant the Government had to retake the decision, which will now be made by Ruth Kelly - who has since succeeded Prescott. Her office has said she will make the decision by 9th July.
Brighton fans, knowing their club's very existence will be in the balance should their plans be turned down, do not want to leave anything to chance. Therefore the Falmer For All team are asking all football fans to show their support for the stadium by writing to Kelly to show their support for the new stadium.
Clubs across the country have been running a story on their official websites asking fans to complete a club-specific pro-forma letter expressing their wish for the stadium to get the green light.
See also The History Of Falmer and Ten Years And Counting.
The key issues and facts (including the sustainable transport strategy, the economic/social benefits and Falmer being the only suitable site) are highlighted on several different picture postcards, along with a request to urge Ruth Kelly to say YES!
Chair of the Falmer For All Campaign, Paul Samrah said 'We estimate that well over 25,000 postcards have already been sent direct to the Secretary of State over the last 8 weeks.
Thursday 26 April is a very significant day - it will be 10 years since the Albion last played at a permanent home in the City.
10 years on and our campaigning will end with the delivery of the last 5,000 postcards by supporters and the City's MPs, David Lepper, Celia Barlow and Des Turner. 10 long years of campaigning to the day, but our message to Ruth Kelly is as strong as ever - Say Yes to Falmer, there is no other site. We will win!'
The Postcard Delivery will be made at 11.45am on Thursday 26 April at The Office for Communities & Local Government, Eland House, Bressenden Place, Victoria, London SW1E 5DU.
Around 30 people will be taking part, raising funds for Lewes Area Play Council - a registered charity, which provides recreational facilities for children in the Lewes District.
Starting at midday on Saturday 14 April from the Clock Tower and going along the seafront, the initiative aims to simulate the walk that supporters would have to make on a typical match day, were the stadium to be sited at Sheepcote Valley.
The FFA team invited Lewes District Councillors Ann De Vecchi, Marina Pepper, David Neighbour and Neil Commin, Lewes Council Chief Executive John Crawford and Lewes MP Norman Baker to join the walk. Significantly, all either declined or did not have the courtesy to reply to our personal invitation.
Chair of the Falmer For All Campaign, Paul Samrah said
'Lewes District Council (LDC), in their evidence to the Secretary of State, advocates Sheepcote Valley (SV) as the best site and claim that the walk from the City centre to SV is 25 minutes. Our walk will provide an excellent opportunity for us to prove the lie of the land and, at the same time, raise money for a deserving Lewes based cause. It is a shame that no one from LDC can be bothered to support a worthy cause and at the same time let their feet do the talking for once.'
Background
Brighton & Hove Albion's plans for a new Community Stadium at Falmer, which will secure its future, still remain in the balance.
Despite an overwhelming show of public support, despite a definitive YES from a Planning Inspector following a 62 day Public Inquiry and a definitive YES from the then Secretary of State, John Prescott in October 2005 - a legal technicality resulted in the decision being quashed.
Secretary of State, Ruth Kelly, has stated that her decision will be made before Monday 9 July.
Quite simply, without Falmer, there can be no Brighton & Hove Albion. Why? Because the present temporary home is a rented 9,000 capacity athletics stadium - income is capped and ongoing losses are the inevitable result.
Plans were originally submitted to Brighton & Hove City Council for a Community Stadium at Falmer in October 2001. The Council approved the application by 11 votes to 1. The application though was 'called in' for a Public Inquiry. The Club has spent over £3.5m on the application to date. The planning process is now into its 6th year.
Paragraph 17.0 (Page 7) of RPS Transport's report, included as part of LDC's representations to the Secretary of State (February 2007) states 'It is anticipated that a considerable number of fans would arrive in the Built Up Area by rail. Some of these may go on to meet friends in the centre of Brighton and then walk the 25 minutes to the stadium along the seafront...'
www.lewes.gov.uk/environment/10571.asp
EDM 882 says:
'That this House regrets that, after more than five years, the planning application for the Brighton and Hove Community Stadium at Falmer is still unresolved; recognises the outstanding community, social and economic benefits and opportunities that the stadium would bring to the city and surrounding region; greatly appreciates the enormous contribution the stadium would make towards the regeneration of the deprived east Brighton area; acknowledges that these benefits amount to national considerations that weigh in favour of the stadium's development; recognises that Falmer is the only site in the city where a sustainable transport plan can be implemented; commends the Falmer stadium proposals to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government; and calls for the earliest possible decision in favour of the Falmer plans.'
In order to demonstrate the strong, national support for this stadium, supporters should lobby their MP to sign this motion. The more MPs sign up, the greater the message to Ruth Kelly, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with whom the final decision rests. Here's how to do it.
If you are not sure you can find out by using your postcode: Find your MP
Click here: EDM 882. If you MP has already signed then no further lobbying is necessary. (Choose 'Alphabetical order' in the 'Signature' drop-down box to check quickly.)
A significant number of MPs, especially Labour MPs, are not allowed to sign Early Day Motions.
Members of the Government cannot sign an EDM so check here: HM Government
Parliamentary Private Secretaries work as assistants to ministers and for some it would be improper to sign this particular EDM: Ian Austin (Dudley North), Roberta Blackman-Woods (City of Durham), Lyn Brown (West Ham), Keith Hill (Streatham), Meg Hillier (Hackney South & Shoreditch), Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North), Ann Keen (Brentford & Isleworth), Sarah McCarthy-Fry (Portsmouth North), Stephen Pound (Ealing North), Andy Reed (Loughborough), Angela Smith (Sheffield, Hillsborough).
The Speaker and his deputies are also disqualified from signing: Michael Martin (Glasgow North East), Sir Alan Haselhurst (Saffron Walden), Sir Michael Lord (Central Suffolk & North Ipswich), Sylvia Heal (Halesowen & Rowley Regis).
Finally, the five Sinn Fein MPs have not taken their seats and cannot sign.
If your MP is eligible to sign but has not yet done so, lobby them. Ask them to consider signing EDM 882.
In order to formulate a good message to your MP, it's worth reading their biography on the MPs list site to see if they have a particular interest, perhaps in sport, football, regeneration, education, etc. Click here: MPs List and then click on the 'Biog' link.
Remember that, as well as providing a home for Brighton & Hove Albion FC, the stadium at Falmer will also greatly assist in regenerating the east Brighton area and provide significant educational and training opportunities for local people - as the wording of EDM 882 makes clear.
It's also worth remembering that since 2004 there have been four other Early Day Motions in support of the stadium at Falmer as well as the current EDM 882. A total of 139 current MPs have already put their name to at least one of these EDMs. If your MP has signed one of these motions before then they might well be inclined to sign EDM 882 and you might like to mention this fact as a gentle reminder. Have a look at this Table of MPs signing previous EDMs which shows how many they have signed.
(You can also check these four links to see exactly which they have signed: EDM 889 2003/04, EDM 1712 2003/04, EDM 15 2005/06, EDM 1151 2005/06. Choose 'Alphabetical order' in the 'Signature' drop-down box to check quickly.)
The text of EDM 882 says most of it. We've been waiting for more than five years for a decision; the benefits of the stadium are enormous; and Falmer is the only site where a sustainable transport policy can be implemented.
The community benefits of the proposed stadium at Falmer include regeneration of deprived areas, economic growth, educational opportunities, job creation, health promotion, crime reduction programmes, skills training, social inclusion, provision of sporting facilities, and the inspiration of young people through sporting excellence. The plans provide for sustainable transportation, energy efficiency and sensitivity of development.
If you have a Liberal Democrat MP, then it's worth reminding him/her that the Brighton & Hove Lib Dems are right behind the stadium and have issued supportive statements which you can find here.
If you have a Conservative MP, there are supportive statements issued by the party, locally and nationally, here.
Labour obviously supports the stadium - the city's three MPs have already signed EDM 882.
If you live remotely from Brighton and Hove, your MP may wonder what it has to do with him/her. But remember, it's a concern for you; he/she is your elected representative, so your concern is his/her concern. The decision is being made on a national basis, by national government, as it is deemed to be a matter of national concern. Your view should therefore matter, wherever you live in the UK.
There may well be local issues involving football or other sports in your area. Point these out. Point out that people in Brighton & Hove do care about the well-being of teams such as Bury, Doncaster Rovers, AFC Wimbledon, Wrexham, York City, their stadiums and their roles in their local communities. Likewise, people in your constituency do care about the community stadium for Brighton & Hove that would keep Brighton & Hove Albion alive - and they want to avoid the current poor conditions they might experience at Withdean.
Whatever you write, always make it polite and courteous. We are trying to win friends and influence people!
Send your message to your MP. You can write to him/her at House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, or you may be able to email them, so check here MPs List for an email link.
Always include your full name and address.
Then wait and see what their reply is!
Thank you for your efforts. We need to spread the word on EDM 882 so please pass this website address on.
Tim Carder
Chairman, Brighton & Hove Albion Supporters' Club
Falmer For All campaign
9th February 2007
From Club Press Release on the official Seagulls web:
In April, the treasury solicitor's offer to concede on one of the grounds put forward in the legal challenge by Lewes District Council was rejected.
However the solicitor then wrote to the High Court offering to concede, and made the point that it is not in anyone's interest for this matter to proceed to a substantive hearing which just increases the cost and worst of all for the Albion, is causing totally unnecessary delay.
Martin Perry said, 'Lewes District Council know they are delaying the process and have deliberately refused to accept this position, so the Albion have made an application to the High Court, asking for a Case Management Conference before a Judge to explain why the decision by John Prescott should now be quashed immediately and the matter referred back to the new Secretary of State, Ruth Kelly as soon as possible.'
The Court Service has agreed to this request and the matter will be heard in the Administrative Court on 4th October 2006.
Albion Chief Executive Perry added, 'Once the Treasury Solicitor conceded that there was a technical error in John Prescott's decision it was totally unnecessary for the matter to proceed to a full hearing in the Court.
'As a matter of procedure under the Inquiry Rules the new Secretary of State must write to all the interested parties and ask whether there are any other matters she should consider before making her decision on our planning application.
'This is the opportunity that Lewes District Council will have to raise the other points they raised in their Challenge, We do not believe there is any merit in the other points, but for sure we will be raising all of them because we want to make sure that her decision is fire-proof second time around.
'Lewes know they will have this opportunity and yet they still insist that it goes to a substantive hearing. Why? Because they simply want to delay it as long as they can.
'We have put Lewes on warning that if the matter does go to a full hearing and we incur unnecessary expense, we will be seeking to recover our costs from them through the Court. This could cost them hundreds of thousands of pounds. They are gambling with council tax payers' money simply by trying to delay the inevitable for as long as they can.
'We have made an offer to Lewes to amend the wording of the Consent Order which they are still refusing to accept.
'We are all sick of their obstructive, contentious behaviour and many people who live in Lewes are now fed up with the way in which their council is behaving. LDC have been given their opportunity to make their case at two public inquiries. They have secured a victory in getting the first decision quashed. They should now stop prevaricating and allow this whole matter to move forward.'
Show the Liberal Democrats' party conference how unpopular their colleagues in Lewes are. Highlight the hypocrisy and the lack of democracy involved in the district council's decisions. Let the party know just how out-of-touch Lewes MP Norman Baker, who thinks the stadium site is 'open country', really is.
If you deplore Lewes Lib-Dems' attempts to kill off the community stadium at Falmer then be there. You don't even have to be an Albion fan - all are welcome to join the rally, especially those shocked by the potential loss of taxpayers' money on this issue.
Wear your colours and bring your voices! Placards and banners are encouraged, but remember we are rallying against the Lewes Lib-Dems, not the party nationally. We need to show their leaders who is spoiling their party locally. After all, If one Lib-Dem council can try to destroy a football club, what might a Lib-Dem government do to the country?
The rally will assemble on the promenade opposite the Brighton Centre from 3.30 pm onwards. The demonstration against Lewes Lib-Dems will begin at 4.00 pm. There will be speeches before the rally disperses at around 4.40 pm.
Please note that the city centre will be very busy, so allow plenty of time to make the start. Car parking will be very difficult.
You are advised to use public transport and walk to the rally. Most bus services pass through Churchill Square from where it is a short walk via the Clock Tower and West Street to the Brighton Centre. Brighton Station is about a 25-minute walk away for those arriving by train.
PLEASE TAKE TIME OUT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE THERE
Bring along friends, relatives, neighbours, work colleagues, etc.
Issued by the Falmer For All Campaign
Thanks to Sussex Police and Brighton & Hove City Council for their help and co-operation
* 'We wun't be druv' is a well-known Sussex dialect motto for the county: 'We won't be pushed around'
Chair of the Falmer For All Campaign Paul Samrah said,
'With Ming Campbell and his Parliamentary colleagues in our City for their annual Party Conference, we have a perfect opportunity to show just how unpopular and out of touch the Lewes LibDems and in particular their sitting MP, Norman Baker, have become.
Recent statements by Baker, alluding to corrupt practices in the Falmer Stadium decision making process, demonstrate that the Lewes LibDems have descended to new depths of desperation in their latest round of anti-Stadium spoiling tactics.
Baker has been quoted (The Independent on Sunday - 6 August 2006) as saying that the proposed stadium is in 'open country' - that is simply a complete lie.
I urge everyone who deplores the Lewes LibDems attempts to to kill off the Falmer Stadium to join the rally - we cannot allow the majority view to go unheard. Please make the effort to be there and to be heard. Do not leave it to others.
This will be the biggest demonstration ever seen at a LibDem Party Conference - and rightly so. We will leave the Liberal Democrats in no doubt as to who is spoiling their party - Norman Baker, Ann de Vecchi and their Lewes LibDem colleagues.'
The rally on Sunday 17th September takes place at 4pm opposite the Brighton Centre. From 10am, the Albion Supporters' Club will be staging a vigil in front of the Brighton Centre.
Detailed rally arrangements - Sunday 17 September
* From 3.30pm - Assemble opposite Brighton Centre
* 4pm - Rally starts with speeches
* 4.40pm - Disperse
Everyone attending is encouraged to use public transport - the City Centre is likely to be very busy. Please allow sufficient time to make the start.
Background Notes
Brighton & Hove Albion's plans for a new Community Stadium at Falmer, which would secure its future, remain in jeopardy.
After two lengthy Public Inquiries that looked at all the evidence, including alternative sites, planning permission was given last October. But the Liberal Democrat leadership of Lewes District Council (LDC) decided, behind closed doors and without any consultation with local people, to challenge that decision. It will be December before the case reaches the High Court.
LDC's opposition to the stadium is not supported by local people. In the course of just one week, last December, over 5,000 residents of the district signed a petition to oppose the Council's decision to take the matter to Court. An offer from the Government's lawyers to resolve the case without the expense of a Court case has been refused by the Council.
The cost of this unwarranted and unnecessary legal action is enormous, not just to the football club, but to the entire community.
The stadium will bring new jobs to the area, promote sustainable economic regeneration and offer opportunities for expanding the award winning education & training programmes that the Albion are already delivering. All this is threatened by the Council's action. The potential cost to Council taxpayers in Lewes District runs into six figures.
Plans were submitted to Brighton & Hove City Council for a Community Stadium at Falmer in October 2001. The Council approved the application by 11 votes to 1. The application though was 'called in' for a Public Inquiry, this concluded in May last year. The Club has spent over £3m on the application to date.
Leader of The Seagulls Party, Paul Samrah said,
'With the new round of Council elections less than a year away, we believe the time is right for the launch of this new political party. Recent developments - including selective photo editing in Council publications - have brought Lewes District Council's integrity into question. In particular, the continued obduracy of the Council and their complete disregard for the view of thousands of local residents has led us to take this action.
'We have strong support right across the Lewes District, from Newick to Newhaven and from Seaford to Saltdean - evidenced last December by over 5,000 Lewes District residents signing a petition in less than a week.
'Make no mistake, we are very serious in our aims. Anyone looking for a precedent need look no further than The Valley Party which 15 years ago attracted over 14,000 votes in favour of a local stadium, when it fought local elections in south east London.'
See also: www.seagullsparty.org
From The Argus, by Rob Hustwayte:
The Deputy Prime Minister made a fundamental factual error when he said 'Yes' to the 22,000-seat arena last October and will now reconsider the application.
Lawyers for Lewes District Council pointed out the mistake in their evidence to the High Court, where they were seeking a judicial review of the planning permission.
A spokesman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) said Mr Prescott acknowledged he had made an error in his decision letter, when he said 'Yes' to Falmer.
As a result, his office has decided not to challenge Lewes District Council's legal action.
The spokesman said: 'Instead, the planning permission will be rescinded and the Secretary of State will make a new decision.
'This does not mean the original decision was wrong. We have conceded because of a technical error, not because of the substance of the decision.'
In his approval letter, Mr Prescott made a number of references to the stadium being inside the development boundary of Brighton and Hove as designated by the local plan.
But Lewes District Council pointed out only a small part of the stadium site at Village Way was inside the boundary.
It was understood to be the council's key argument in its attempt to get the stadium permission overthrown in the High Court in a joint action with Falmer Parish Council and the South Downs Society.
Anti-stadium campaigners are claiming victory but Albion bosses said fans had nothing to worry about and the news was likely to actually speed up the long-running stadium saga.
Albion Chief Executive Martin Perry said: 'The club is pleased that the Treasury Solicitor has decided to take this route.
'Although it will give a Pyrrhic victory to Lewes, this is the most sensible and quickest route out of the mess Lewes have created, because the club will not have to wait for a court hearing, or the time it takes for the judgement to be made. It is only a minor technicality and was not a determining factor in the decision.'
He said it would not affect the club's latest target of opening the £50 million arena in time for the 2009/10 season.
Club chairman Dick Knight added: 'It is extremely frustrating that Lewes have been be able to delay the process on a technicality. I fail to understand why they should be so hostile towards the stadium, which will bring massive sporting, social and economic benefits, not just to Brighton and Hove but to the whole of Sussex including Lewes.'
Mr Prescott will now invite the football club, Lewes District Council, Brighton and Hove City Council and other parties to the planning inquiry to submit written evidence on the mistake.
The ODPM could not say how long that would take or what the outcome would be, but Mr Perry predicts the club will have final, water-tight planning permission by August this year.
But if Mr Prescott says 'Yes' again there is a chance Lewes District Council could seek another judicial review.
The boundary issue was not the only point made by the council in its evidence to the High Court. It also questioned whether Mr Prescott was right to allow development on a legally-protected landscape and that he failed to recognise other suitable sites, like Sheepcote Valley and Toad's Hole Valley.
The ODPM spokesman added: 'The Secretary of State does not concede on any of the other grounds of challenge that Lewes District Council have made.'
Norman Baker MP, who opposed the Falmer site, said: 'It seems like a pretty major mistake to make and it will mean more unwelcome uncertainty for both the club and the people of Falmer. I'm not surprised in one way because the ODPM is the most useless department in the Government and John Prescott is a buffoon.
'Whatever happens now we need a decision in the shortest possible time. This can't go on indefinitely.'
Tim Carder, chairman of Brighton and Hove Albion Supporters' Club, said: 'Congratulations to Lewes, it looks like they will have won the day on this one technicality.
'But Mr Prescott wording his decision incorrectly doesn't alter the fact the stadium was approved because it significantly helps the regeneration of a deprived area. It is still in the national interest, and it was given the go-ahead because the benefits hugely outweigh the harm to this nondescript, urbanised part of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.'
Falmer For All campaigner Ed Bassford sounded a warning note, saying: 'A lot will depend on whether or not Lewes District Council accepts the other points it made were invalid.
'If not then they could well seek another judicial review if Mr Prescott says yes again.'
A spokesman for Lewes District Council was unavailable for comment last night.
From Club Press Release on the Seagulls web site:
The club have been named as a defendant - along with Brighton & Hove City Council and the Government - as Lewes District Council seeks to overturn the decision by Prescott in the High Court.
Chief Executive Martin Perry said, 'This is yet another financial burden for the club we could well do without. We have been named as a defendant, and we will be going to court - along with the city council and the Government - to defend ourselves and prove that this decision was made justly.
'Our fans know only too well the lengths that we have gone to in order ensure the decision was made correctly.
'Nothing has changed, it's business as usual and we remain extremely confident that Mr Prescott's decision will be upheld in the High Court and unfortunately the taxpayers in Lewes will be left to bear the brunt of the cost.
'Lewes District Council have named the club as a defendant, and because this we fully expect to recoup our legal costs from LDC, but in the short term we must find that money, which does nothing to help Mark McGhee during the transfer window as he strives to keep the club in the Championship.'
Meanwhile Perry has warned Lewes residents could end up paying legal fees for Brighton & Hove City Council and the Government - in addition to their own District Council's costs.
'If, as our legal advisers fully expect, the Judicial Review is unsuccessful Lewes District Council could be left with a legal bill that will run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.
'A recent poll by the Argus proved are overwhelmingly number of Lewes residents are in favour of the stadium - yet it seems the council are going to ignore them yet again and use their council tax to pay for this legal action.'
From the official Seagulls site, by Paul Camillin:
Supporters are planning direct action, including a petition and window posters for Lewes residents against the decision to display.
There will also be a letter-writing drive to encourage emails and letters to Lewes DC and councillors protesting against the decision, the lack of public consultation and the squandering of public money.
Chair of Albion's Supporters' Club Tim Carder said, 'We are asking all Albion supporters - but particularly those in Lewes - to get involved with the campaign.
'Visit Northstandchat.biz and download the petition and posters. Print them off at home and display them in windows or take them into local shops and ask them to display them.'
See also: North Stand Chat
Way back in February 1997 we asked supporters from all over the country to visit the Goldstone Ground for one last time at the first Fans United day. It was a truly magnificent success. You responded in droves when we asked you to sign petitions and lobby MPs on our behalf for a fair chance to build a stadium befitting the City of Brighton & Hove.
In three years' time we hope to be able to thank you by welcoming you to our city to play in a quite superb arena that you have helped bring about.
We set up this website to help other clubs like us who, through no fault of the supporters, have found themselves deep in crisis. We cannot really give back all the help we have received over the past decade, but we will continue to provide support for those clubs who need it.
Thank you one and all. FOOTBALL, UNITED, WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED!'
Tim Carder
Chairman, Brighton & Hove Albion Supporters' Club
Chair of the Falmer For All Campaign Paul Samrah said:
'For a City, that has hosted Party Political Conferences for decades, not to have a Stadium is simply unacceptable. Every great City needs a Stadium - it is vital for the community and for Brighton & Hove Albion.
With John Prescott and his Parliamentary colleagues once again in our City for their annual Party Conference, we have a final opportunity to reinforce the message that our City needs a stadium and the only site is Falmer.
I urge every supporter of the Stadium to join the march - this is a major community issue. This is your final chance to make your voice heard - I cannot emphasise enough the importance of our march. Please make the effort to be there and to be heard. Do not leave it to others.
Our thanks go to Sussex Police for their help and co-operation in planning the march which, as with all our campaign initiatives, will be conducted in a peaceful, witty and humorous manner. However we will leave the Deputy Prime Minister and his colleagues in absolutely no doubt - it has to be Yes to Falmer.'
The march on Monday 26th September will start from Madeira Drive at 5.30pm and proceed along the seafront to the Brighton Centre for a few brief speeches.
March arrangements - Monday 26 September
5.00pm - Assemble in Madeira Drive
5.30pm - Depart Madeira Drive, along Kings Road to the Brighton Conference Centre
6.15pm - Arrive at Conference Centre for short speeches
6.30pm - Disperse
Everyone attending is encouraged to use public transport - no parking is permitted in Madeira Drive and the City Centre is likely to be very busy. Please allow sufficient time to make the start.
From the Official Brighton and Hove Albion web site:
Des Lynam Takes A Soaking
With the new football season getting underway this weekend, visiting fans to Brighton's temporary home at Withdean are bracing themselves for another afternoon of sitting on exposed seats, bolted onto temporary scaffolding.
If it blows, they'll get windswept and if it rains, they'll get drenched. So campaigners for a new stadium for Brighton at Falmer today arranged for visiting fans to get their own back and give the club's most-famous fan a real soaking.
Des Lynam said: 'I started supporting the Club, when I went to school in Brighton. I have continued to do so ever since. It was probably instrumental in my starting out in the media. The soaking I received today was a bit of fun, but the serious message is that Brighton needs a stadium. They play in a converted athletics stadium with temporary stands on two sides and the boardroom is a creche for six days a week. The Club cannot go on in a temporary stadium - it is untenable. I urge John Prescott to say yes to Falmer.'
Chair of the Campaign, Paul Samrah added: 'Supporters from every team in The Championship have come to Withdean in support of our campaign and have given Des a drenching! Even Crystal Palace, our closest rivals over the years, are represented here today. Tens of thousands of people across the country support our campaign for Brighton & Hove Albion to have a permanent home - at Falmer. For a City not to have a stadium is simply unacceptable. Every great City needs a stadium. It is vital for the community and for Brighton & Hove Albion. John Prescott will be deciding our fate within the next 10 weeks. Will it be Home & Dry or Sunk Forever? It is in Mr Prescott's hands.'
That was the start of it all. Ten years on, and Brighton & Hove Albion are still homeless.
Thankfully, protests by fans resulted in the departure of the despised Archer and Bellotti.
Dick Knight took over as chairman, and brought the club back to the city after a period of exile in Gillingham. However, the team still play in a tiny converted athletics stadium.
The future depends on John Prescott approving the proposed stadium at Falmer.
The Falmer For All Campaign has a number of initiatives in the pipeline. The first is to ask supporters to contact their MPs once more.
Remember in 2004 when we were asking our MPs to sign up to a motion in Parliament supporting Falmer? We need you to do the same again, this time asking them to sign EDM 15 which has been tabled by the three Labour MPs for the city: Dave Lepper, Des Turner and Celia Barlow.
EDM 15 had 25 signatures at 26th May including Labour and Conservative MPs, and one Democratic Unionist from Northern Ireland. The previous EDM got 145 - so we have some way to go to match the last effort! (In fact there were two EDMs in 2004. Those members who signed then are perhaps likely to sign the new EDM. See edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=25647 and edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=24715 to see the previous signatories.)
EDM 15 says:
'That this House congratulates Brighton and Hove Albion on their successful first Championship season; believes that their success is further justification of the need for a new community stadium as a permanent home for the club which would also enhance the wider sporting, economic and educational life of the city of Brighton and Hove; and calls for the earliest possible decision in favour of the club's planning application for such a stadium at Falmer.'
You can see the progress of EDM 15 each day at edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=28203. Check to see if your MP has already signed.
Remember, though, that around 100 Labour MPs are unable to sign EDMs because they are members of the Government. To check this see www.parliament.uk/directories/hciolists/hmg.cfm#Govt
If you are not sure who your MP is then see www.locata.co.uk/commons/
If your MP has not signed and is not a member of the Government then please ask them to do so - but please keep it polite, even if you had a rejection last year.
You can either write to your MP at House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA, or, in many cases, email them. To see if your MP is contactable by email see www.parliament.uk/directories/hciolists/alms.cfm.
Please be courteous when contacting MPs. Most of them will not have any connection with Brighton & Hove, so essentially we need them to do us a favour by signing EDM 15. As well as the Albion's desperate need, you should also perhaps emphasise the social and economic benefits the stadium will bring to the city - and, of course, that there is only one possible site for the stadium: Falmer.
We need a positive decision, and we need it as soon as possible. Please do what you can to help this summer so that our second season in the Championship gets a huge early boost with a YES to Falmer.
Thank you
Tim Carder
Falmer For All Campaign
Chairman, BHA Supporters' Club
From The Argus, by Rob Hustwayte:
£30m cost of Albion exile
Chairman Dick Knight said the figure was an estimate of potential revenue lost since the Goldstone Ground was closed in 1997 combined with the crippling expense of the Falmer stadium inquiry.
Mr Knight said: 'Had we moved straight from the Goldstone into a 12,000-seat stadium and sold out every week we would have had an extra £23.5 million in turnstile money alone by now.'
By those calculations, the Seagulls are missing out on about £3 million in earnings every year they remain at the 6,900-capacity Withdean stadium.
If Falmer is approved it will be another three years before it is built, taking the total estimated shortfall to almost £40 million.
Albion spent £2.5 million upgrading Withdean when they moved to the former athletics track six years ago and two public inquiries have so far cost £2.9 million. They have also been hit with a £347,000 tax bill arising from the sale of the Goldstone and paid hated former chairman Bill Archer £700,000 to sever links with the club.
Albion struggled to fill the 12,000-capacity Goldstone Ground in the years leading up to its sale. They have since enjoyed mixed fortunes on the pitch and even since last season's promotion to the Championship do always sell out at Withdean.
But Mr Knight said the 30,000 fans who travelled to the Millennium Stadium for this year's play-off final showed the club had a tremendous potential fan base. His figures also do not take into account money lost through programme sales, corporate hospitality and merchandising.
He said: 'The money lost does not bear thinking about. We can never recover it. What is more worrying is the generation of fans we have lost since 1997. We spent two seasons at Gillingham and the last six at Withdean and many thousands of potential young fans have not been able to see their team because of poor capacity. It is a legacy we inherited from the previous regime.'
The club identified Falmer as the best site in Brighton and Hove for a new stadium six years ago but the planning process is only now drawing to a close. Mr Knight said: 'It is far too long. We live in a democracy and everybody should be allowed to have their say but the view of the majority should prevail - that Falmer is not perfect but it is the only viable choice. That was the case six years ago and nothing has changed.'
The reopened inquiry hearing is looking at 11 possible alternative sites to Falmer and has entered its fourth week at Brighton Town Hall.
Mr Knight has accused objectors of deliberately spinning out the inquiry process to delay the stadium or prevent it happening.
Paul Samrah, chairman of the Falmer for All Campaign, said the £30 million figure put the inquiry into new perspective.
He said: 'The minority who oppose Falmer seem intent on bankrupting the club and by the sounds of it they are succeeding. It is a lot of money but it is not worth dwelling on. It is gone.'
The inquiry is due to end in April, after which inspector David Brier will make recommendations to John Prescott. A verdict is not expected before the General Election, tipped for May 5.
From Seagulls website:
When Prescott delivered his neither-yes-nor-no verdict in the summer, he recognised the need for a new stadium in Brighton & Hove. However, in wanting to be sure there were no alternatives to Falmer, he outlined seven alternative sites within the Brighton & Hove area for further consideration. Since then a further two have been added to the list.
At a cost in excess of £300,000, Albion have hired planning, environmental, traffic and safety experts amongst others to carry out extensive surveys looking at the possibility and feasibility of developing a new stadium on any one of the nine sites outlined by Prescott.
Club Chief Executive Martin Perry says there have been no surprises and the findings made in 1999 still ring true nearly six years later.
Perry, who heads up the Falmer project for the club, said, 'We have come to the same conclusion we did in 1999 - which was confirmed by the city council - Falmer is the best site within Brighton & Hove for our new stadium. We're confident that Mr Prescott will come to the same conclusion.'
Perry and Albion's other expert witnesses will begin giving their evidence to the Government Inspector on Wednesday morning at 9.30am at Brighton Town Hall - and Perry says they would all welcome the support of Albion fans.
'In the same way that our supporters are such a boost to the team every time they run out in the Championship, having fans present at the Inquiry will be an enormous help to our team of experts. We will be giving evidence from Wednesday morning and expect it to take four days to put forward our case.'
Fans are permitted to observe proceedings in the council chamber. Colours are encouraged, but fans are asked to maintain silence at all times.
SEAGULLS SKA GIG OVER LONDON
SEAGULLS SKA
Plus sets from the band's component parts
TOO MANY CROOKS
Brighton ska legends
ATTILA THE STOCKBROKER'S BARNSTORMER
Punk/ska/early music with lyrics that mean something
THE FABULOUS FISH BROTHERS -
Unclassifiable music hall/punk hybrid
FRIDAY 4th FEBRUARY
OFFSIDE BAR
271 - 273 CITY ROAD
EC1V 4NJ
0207 253 3306
View the poster!
TOM HARK (WE WANT FALMER!) - THE STORY OF A HIT!
'OUR GROUND'S TOO SMALL, THE COSTS TOO HIGH
WITHOUT FALMER, OUR CLUB WILL DIE'
Seven years since the Goldstone Ground was destroyed by uncaring moneymen, seven years of fans' campaigns - and still Brighton & Hove Albion doesn't have a proper home. So here's another chapter in the story of the Albion supporters' battle to save our club.....
A few weeks ago Attila the Stockbroker had the idea of reclaiming the Piranhas' national football ska hit 'Tom Hark' for his club Brighton, with new lyrics in support of their 5 year battle for a new stadium at Falmer, with the dual aim of raising money for the Albion's Alive & Kicking Fund and trying to take the song, and the Falmer For All Campaign, into the Top 20 in the month before the Public Enquiry restarts in February 2005.
The Piranhas were Brighton through and through, in the forefront of the local punk scene in the late Seventies and early Eighties. They had a hit in 1980 with 'Tom Hark' which has been adopted by many football fans across the country. You will often hear 'Tom Hark' blasting out from clubs' PA systems and chanted by fans.
Attila put together a great bunch of local Brighton musicians: Dave, Dan and McGhee from music hall/punk crossover outfit The Fabulous Fish Brothers, Marlon, Cooky, Alan and Tony from excellent local ska outfit Too Many Crooks and sax playing actor Ralph Brown from the Brighton Beach Boys (not to mention Withnail and I and Harry Potter). They went straight into the studio where the newly named band 'Seagulls Ska' recorded the new version of 'Tom Hark'.
Fatboy Slim's Skint Records, who are the main club sponsors of Brighton & Hove Albion, put the record out on the hastily formed Falmer For All label. It was released on Jan 3rd, AND GOT TO NUMBER 17 IN THE CHARTS! (and Number 1 in the indie charts).
The single was played in full on the Radio 1 Top 40 Chart Show, and there was major national press coverage in the Times, Guardian, Independent, Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sun (!) among others. National TV included a short appearance on Football Focus, with features on Radios 4 and 5 and loads of local and regional media coverage of all kinds.
The single sold out of its first pressing of 5,000 in two weeks with people buying it all over the country.
Attila the Stockbroker/John Baine, Poet in Residence and P.A. Announcer at Brighton & Hove Albion FC
THE TRACKS:
1. TOM HARK (We Want Falmer!) (Bopeape/Baine/Grover)
2. SUSSEX BY THE SEA (Instrumental Version) (Traditional)
3.SUSSEX BY THE SEA (Singalong Version) (Traditional)
4. ROLL UP FOR THE DONKEY DERBY.... (Baine)
SEAGULLS SKA are:
M.M.McGhee (no relation!) drums
David Beaken - bass
Dan Woods - guitar
Ralph Brown - solo sax
Marlon Johnson - trombone
Tony Fish - trumpet
Alan Perry - sax
Attila the Stockbroker - vocals, lyrics
It's a rewrite of the Piranhas' classic football hit recorded by a bunch of ska-loving Brighton fans, reclaiming the song for the Piranhas' home town with new lyrics supporting Brighton & Hove Albion's five year campaign for our new stadium at Falmer. All profits from the single will go to our cash-strapped club's Alive & Kicking Fund, set up by chairman Dick Knight and the board to help the club survive until the future - the stadium at Falmer - is secured.
The single is released on the Falmer For All label, manufactured and distributed by our main sponsors Skint Records. Our aim all along has been to hit the Top 40 in the Sunday chart on 9th January and gain extra publicity for our stadium campaign, one month before the public enquiry restarts... it looks like we've done it, and then some! But we are up against some stiff competition from nationally promoted artists with major label backers in the next few days and we're asking people to help us by buying a copy of the single either in person or on-line...
The single is available from all branches of HMV and Virgin, from many independent stores in the Brighton area including Rounder Records in Brighton Square and globally online via hmv.co.uk and amazon.co.uk.
SEAGULLS SKA will be playing the single and Albion players will be signing copies at HMV in Churchill Square, Brighton on Thursday 6 January at 4.30pm.
The Falmer For All Campaign has reclaimed The Piranhas' national football ska hit 'Tom Hark' for Brighton & Hove Albion with new lyrics in support of their stadium campaign. The aims are to raise money for the Albion's Alive & Kicking Fund and to attempt to take the Falmer For All Campaign into the Top 20 in the month before the Stadium Public Inquiry restarts!
With the backing of Club sponsors Skint Records, we present:
'Tom Hark (We Want Falmer!)' by SEAGULLS SKA
on Falmer For All Records Distributed by VITAL
Pre-Order NOW from hmv.co.uk & certain local retail outlets
Release Date Monday, January 3rd 2005
ALL PROFITS TO THE ALBION'S ALIVE & KICKING FUND
'The whole thing's daft,
We don't know why
We have to laugh
Or else we'll cry.
Our ground's too small,
The costs too high.
Without Falmer
Our club will die.'
Albion's Poet in Residence John Baine (aka Attila the Stockbroker), whose idea it was and who wrote the lyrics, produced and sung on the record, said:
'The Piranhas were Brighton through and through, in the forefront of the local punk scene in the late Seventies and early Eighties. Many of us have very fond memories of their gigs at legendary Brighton venues like the Vault and the Alhambra and it has always seemed quite ironic to me to hear their song blasting out from other clubs' PA systems and chanted by opposing fans.
So as part of the campaign for our new stadium, 'Seagulls Ska' proudly present our new version of 'Tom Hark' along with a seriously ska version of our beloved anthem 'Sussex By The Sea'.
This record is dedicated to all the fans who have battled so long, so hard and with such creativity and imagination to keep our club alive: to the Piranhas, especially Bob Grover, who inspired it and who has given us his blessing: to Dick Knight and the Albion Board, who pulled us back from the brink: and of course to the Albion players, whose dedication, commitment and self-belief against unbelievable odds have given a club with no ground and no money three promotions in four years. And to Skint Records for backing us. Thanks.'
Paul Samrah, Chair of the Falmer For All Campaign, said: 'This is yet another innovative and fun idea from fans, which underlines the huge imagination and creativity that is behind our relentless campaign. Our message though is so very serious, the plight of Sussex's only professional league Club is in John Prescott's hands'.
Specifically, Albion are asking permission to play the Rotherham game on Saturday, 4th December. Saturday games in December are not normally allowed to avoid conflict with the city centre park-and-ride operation from Withdean.
The club is therefore seeking to play Rotherham on the Saturday.
Albion are also asking to play up to three games on a Sunday, again not normally allowed at Withdean. The scheduled games are Boxing Day v Gillingham, and 8th May v Ipswich, the last game of the league season traditionally now on a Sunday. Asking for three Sundays allows for one other game to be switched for possible television coverage.
It is important that this application is passed, not least because of supporters' arrangements around these scheduled dates. So we need representations to the city council in support.
Happily, this is now easy to do on-line. Follow the instructions below to make your representation to the council. Make sure you complete the appropriate fields, and above all make sure you click the 'I Do Not Object to this Planning Application' button in step 8!
It would especially help if all supporters resident in Brighton & Hove reading this could do this simple task.
Thank you
Tim Carder
Chairman, Brighton & Hove Albion Supporters' Club
HOW TO MAKE A REPRESENTATION
1. Go to the city council's website at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk
2. In 'Quick Links' on LHS, click 'Planning'
3. In 'In Planning' on RHS, click 'Planning Register'
4. Accept the conditions and click 'Continue'
5. Type 'BH2004/03117/FP' into the Application Case Number, then scroll down and click on the first 'Search' button
6. You should now see the club's planning application for Withdean Stadium. Click on the 'Details' button.
7. You should now see fuller details. Click on 'Make a Comment'.
8. Now complete the fields for your name, address and postcode etc. If you add an email address you will receive an automatic reply. Under 'Nature of Submission', make sure that you click the middle option 'Inform the Authority that you do not object to the Planning Application'.
Add any comments in the field below. You might like to point out that this is a minor variation on the existing planning permission which will allow the club to complete its scheduled fixtures in the Football League Championship without disadvantage, and that the club is an important part of the local community and needs this variation to allow it to function properly in its temporary home.
9. Click the 'Submit' button. You will then get an acknowledgement window to confirm your submission.
The good news is date for the latest stage of the public enquiry into the new stadium has been announced, the bad news is we will have to wait until February for it to restart. More delays mean the club will have to remain at Withdean even longer still.
But it is the next step and the club have said they expect a decision on Falmer before the next general election. But don't hold your breath.
===================== Previously =====================
Following the decision by John Prescott to re-open the Public Inquiry into the proposed siting of Brighton & Hove Albion's new Community Stadium, plans have been announced for a major demonstration and march during the Labour Party's Conference in Brighton.
Chair of the Falmer For All Campaign Paul Samrah said,
'For a City, that has hosted Party Political Conferences for decades, not to have a Stadium is simply unacceptable. Every great City needs a Stadium - it is vital for the community and for Brighton & Hove Albion.
With John Prescott and his Parliamentary colleagues in our City for their annual Party Conference, we have the perfect opportunity to reinforce our message that 'There is only one site in Brighton'.
Our march on Monday 27th September will start from Madeira Drive at 5.30pm and proceed along the seafront. After a few brief speeches outside the Brighton Centre, the march will return to Madeira Drive at around 6.45pm.
Our campaign has collected thousands of letters of support for the Stadium from right across the country. We have the City Council's support (11-1), we have the City Referendum result (67% in favour) and we have a record 62,000 signature petition. Not forgetting the small matter of the Early Day Motion (EDM 889) tabled in the House of Commons in support of Falmer as the site, which has so far attracted over 140 signatories including several high profile Labour & Conservative MPs.
With the Party Conference in town, this is the chance for supporters of all ages to come along, wear the Club's colours and show our visitors just what matters to the local community.
====================== Previously ======================
John Prescott has made his long awaited decision on Brighton & Hove albions new stadium... Let's re-open the enquiry and look at all the other 'available' sites...
Despite all this being covered in the original public enquiry he wants everybody to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds going over it all again.
In a statement by the DPMs office he said
4. Following consideration of these representations, the Secretary of State has concluded that that he should seek further evidence concerning the availability or otherwise of alternative sites and that for this purpose it is appropriate to re-open the inquiry. The matters on which the Secretary of State requires further evidence are as follows :
the availability and suitability for the proposed development of land at
Brighton Station
Brighton Greyhound Stadium
Shoreham Harbour
Sheepcote Valley
Toad's Hole Valley
Waterhall
Withdean Stadium
In each case against the following criteria:
Is the site within the conurbation of Brighton and Hove, thereby complying with Football League requirements?
Is site acquisition a realistic proposition?
Is the site large enough for a 22,000 capacity community stadium together with a bus/coach park?
Can a stadium be built without incurring unaffordable development costs on the site?
Can a stadium be built on the site without resulting in any over-riding safety/stadium management problems?
Are there any over-riding site specific planning issues?
Is the site accessible by sustainable modes of transport?
Can a stadium be built on the site without resulting in any unacceptable environmental impacts?
Can a stadium be built on the site without any unacceptable visual impacts?
b) The estimated cost of the development at Falmer and all of the above sites having regard to the advice in PPG7 'The Countryside - Environmental Quality and Economic and Social Development' that major development proposals in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty should be demonstrated to be in the public interest and should include assessments of the cost and scope of developing elsewhere outside the AONB or meeting the need for it in some other way
c) Whether there are any other sites that could be suitable for the proposed development, having regard to the above criteria.
d) The implications for the application site and for any of the other alternative sites located within the Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty of the proposed designation of the South Downs National Park.
Albion have already shown these sites are unsuitable
Brighton Station NOT AVAILABLE
Brighton Greyhound Stadium TOO SMALL
Shoreham Harbour TOO EXPENSIVE
Sheepcote Valley NO SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT LINKS
Toad's Hole Valley NO SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT LINKS
Waterhall NO SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT LINKS
Withdean Stadium TOO SMALL
Brighton & Hove Albion Supporters Club have issued the following statement
FANS WELCOME FALMER DECISION
Brighton & Hove Albion Supporters' Club today welcomed the decision of the Deputy Prime Minister to give an amber light to the new community stadium at Falmer.
After six years of campaigning, supporters will be pleased to learn that Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has recognised that a 22,000-seat community stadium for Brighton & Hove is in the public interest.
Supporters' Club chairman Tim Carder said:
'The DPM has today acknowledged that Brighton & Hove needs a modern, 22,000-seat stadium. He just needs to be absolutely certain that Falmer is the right place for it and is re-opening the public inquiry to investigate all other possible sites according to specific criteria.
'It is now up to the opponents to Falmer to prove to Mr Prescott that there is another site which is available, viable and safe; a site which can be developed in line with government policy on transportation and has minimal impact on the environment and residents. If they cannot then the stadium will be at Falmer.
'I know what the Albion and the city council have always said is correct: that Falmer is the only such site. Although the added delay is frustrating, it should end forever the debate on other sites - which may in the long run save time.
'This is very good news and sets us truly on the road to Falmer.'
======================= Previously =======================
8-07-04
The BBC reports that, Brighton's bid to build their new stadium at Falmer has been handed a boost with a local MP reversing his opposition.
Charles Hendry has now signed the Early Day Motion urging Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to approve the plans.
Mr Hendry, who represents Wealden, said: 'I have reconsidered my position. Brighton badly need to expand capacity, especially now they have been promoted.
'I have been persuaded by the value of the stadium to the area, bringing jobs and expanding community programmes.' The concerns about planning, I believe, can be overcome so that the village of Falmer is not ruined.'
A total of 129 MPs have signed the motion so far.
====================== Previously ======================
An Early Day Motion (EDM) has been tabled in the House of Commons, in support of Brighton & Hove Albion's application for a new Community Stadium at Falmer. Within a matter of hours of being tabled, the EDM (No: 889) has attracted high profile Labour & Conservative support.
The EDM reads:
That this House congratulates Brighton and Hove Albion FC on its success since returning to Brighton in 1999; further congratulates the Club for its hard work in partnership with the local authority and elected representatives to develop a community stadium at Falmer; believes that the only suitable site for a community stadium is at Falmer; welcomes the economic and socio-economic benefits that will accrue to the Club, the community of Brighton and Hove and the local authority, directly through increased tourism, educational opportunities, skills-training and employment, which will also be beneficial for the country; further recognises that the development will complement national Government objectives, by incorporating sustainable transport strategies and will promote social inclusion by providing a focus from which to build community programmes; welcomes the Club's vision of building on its existing community links and expanding its successful Football in the Community programme within the new facility; believes that the community and wider benefits of the proposed stadium at Falmer far outweigh any negligible impact on the Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; recognises the evidence given by national organisations during the public inquiry demonstrating that the stadium is in the national interest; acknowledges the overwhelming public support for the plans at every stage of consultation; and commends the Falmer site proposal to the Deputy Prime Minister.
Further details of the EDM (Number : 889) can be found at edm.ais.co.uk/weblink/html/motion.html/ref=889
See also Brighton - Falmer and How You Can Help.
================= Previously ===============
MP's to receive post cards
04-Mar-2004
As part of the continuing campaign to secure Falmer, the Falmer For All Campaign has printed a special postcard to send to MPs at Westminster on behalf of football fans all over the country. You can view the card at http://homepage.virgin.net/tim.carder
This is a VERY important weapon in the battle for the new stadium, but a large number of people is needed to sign the cards. The only practical and economic way to do this is to gather names and postcodes of people willing to sign, enter those names ourselves, then send them off to Westminster.
Therefore, we are asking Albion supporters to continue gathering names and postcodes and send them to Tim Carder or The editor of this site.
=================== Previously ===================
The Falmer For All Campaign has designated Saturday 6 March as 'National Falmer Day'.
Continuing their intensive campaign in support of Brighton & Hove Albion's application for a new stadium at Falmer, groups of Albion fans will be attending FA Cup, Premier & Football League matches across the country on Saturday 6 March. Supporters will be handing out leaflets outside grounds with a view to harnessing further nationwide support.
Chairman of the Falmer For All Campaign, Paul Samrah, said 'With John Prescott's final decision possibly only days away, the Club's future hangs in the balance. Quite simply, without Falmer, there can be no Brighton & Hove Albion. 'National Falmer Day' will harness the national support that exists amongst the football fraternity. We reiterate our call to football fans everywhere to urgently write or email the Deputy Prime Minister asking him to back Falmer.'
As part of 'National Falmer Day', match day programmes on Saturday 6 March will feature an article on the Club's plight. Match day PA announcers are also being asked to mention the campaign.
================ previously =============
Please sign the petition (20-Feb-2004)
Brighton fans have arranged a new online petition for Mr Prescott urging him to approve the new stadium.
If you have not already done so please show your support by following the link below
Thank you
==================== Previously ====================
(More campaign and background details at Falmer and History and Why?; please sign the petition.)
Continuing their intensive campaign, Albion supporters will be presenting a giant Valentine card to the Deputy Prime Minister's Constituency HQ (430 Holderness Road, Hull - opposite Westcott Street) on Saturday 11 February at noon.
Chairman of the Falmer For All Campaign, Paul Samrah, said 'We would like to thank the thousands of people from all over the country who have supported us in the last week. We also have the backing of all the other 91 Premier & Football League Clubs. All of this evidenced support underlines, yet again, the significance of Brighton & Hove Albion to the National game. We wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day on Saturday - and we look forward to delivering our very special Valentine card to Mr Prescott's Constituency HQ in Hull.'
================= Previously ================
Send Two Valentine Cards Today!
(09-Feb-2004)
The Falmer For All team are asking everyone to send Valentine Cards to two very special people - and to do it NOW! One is for John Prescott and the other for Planning Minister Keith Hill - who issued the following statement:
'DO YOU WANT A BIGGER SAY IN PLANNING MATTERS FOR YOUR COMMUNITY?'
News Release 15 January 2004
People were today asked by Planning Minister Keith Hill whether they wanted a greater role in the planning issues which effect their community.
A new consultation document was issued by the Minister proposing possible changes to the planning appeal process. The changes offer interested parties a greater role in the appeals process.
Keith Hill said:
'People have a right to be involved in planning decisions which affect their communities. Whether it's an appeal on a factory, a shopping centre or a new housing development, the local community must have its say.
'We're keen to hear what planning professionals think of these changes, but we're also keen to hear from people who've been affected by planning decisions. This is your chance to tell us what you think.'
Keith Hill & John Prescott's addresses are:
Rt Hon K Hill MP / Rt Hon J Prescott MP
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
26 Whitehall
London SW1A 2WH
Please include an appropriate (polite!) comment, especially in light of Hill's statement (Read Full Details).
Yes we do want a bigger say, and what the people of Sussex and beyond are telling you is they want a new stadium at Falmer, so listen to them.
================= Previously ================
Premier & Football League Clubs Say It With Flowers!
08-Feb-2004
Brighton & Hove Albion's plans for a new Community Stadium at Falmer, which would secure its future, are in jeopardy.
Despite an overwhelming show of public support, a report by a Planning Inspector on the City of Brighton & Hove's new Local Plan this week summarily dismissed the proposals, citing the lack of National Interest as one of the main reasons. The final decision though now rests with Deputy
Prime Minister, John Prescott and is expected within a matter of days.
Quite simply, without Falmer, there can be no Brighton & Hove Albion. Why?
Because the present temporary home is a 7,000 capacity athletics stadium - income is capped and ongoing losses are the inevitable result.
As part of their 7 day campaign to Save the Albion, all 91 Premier & Football League Clubs have now been contacted and asked for a message of support, one that expressly emphasises the importance of the Albion as part of the National Game. Each Club's message will be attached to an individual bouquet of flowers - to be delivered to the DPM's office at Admiralty House, Whitehall, London SW1 at 2pm on Tuesday 10 February.
Chairman of the Falmer For All Campaign, Paul Samrah, said 'We have had a terrific response already - and 10 Clubs gave their messages of support within the first 90 minutes of being contacted. We are overwhelmed at the support we have received across the country. John Prescott should be in no doubt that this a matter of National importance to the sporting community and beyond.'
After the delivery has been made, the Falmer For All Campaign will be asking the Deputy Prime Minister's Office to pass the bouquets onto local hospitals.
================== previously ================
BRIGHTON SUPPORTERS SIT-IN TO SAVE CLUB
6 Feb 2004
Fans of Brighton & Hove Albion are staging a sit-in after their game at Wycombe Wanderers tomorrow, Saturday 7th February.
The 20-minute demonstration will raise the profile of the campaign to build a community stadium at Falmer, Brighton, a project which has massive support within the city.
Falmer For All Campaign member Tim Carder said:
'We may have as little as seven days to save this football club. If John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, turns down the stadium plans, Brighton & Hove Albion will die. That is the stark reality of the situation.
'The demonstration at Wycombe will be first of a series of events to publicise the plight of our 103-year-old club nationwide.
'We are asking all those who care about football across the country to register their concern by writing to or e-mailing John Prescott, to emphasise that this stadium is an issue of national concern.'
'Listen to the people, Mr Prescott!'
Tim, who is also chairman of the Albion Supporters' Club, called for Brighton supporters to publicise a website which highlights the situation.
'Three years ago we set up the www.ClubsInCrisis.com website to assist other clubs that find themselves in difficulty. It's ironic that our plight is now the headline news.
'The website contains full details of how to help the campaign, and we will be keeping it up-dated with new initiatives.
'We have made many good friends in football over the last few years and we are out to make more. Our demonstrations will be peaceful but designed to attract attention.
'I call upon all Brighton supporters to publicise this campaign, by contacting newspapers, radio and TV stations, Internet sites and supporters' organisations. We need all hands on board to win this battle for the survival of the Albion.'
Note for Editors
Plans for a new community stadium were approved by Brighton & Hove City Council in 2002, but have been the subject of a public inquiry. The final decision rests with John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State, and could come at any time.
A recent report on the local development plan for the city recommended that the site at Falmer should not be allocated for a stadium. However, the city council and the football club have shown that Falmer is the only viable site for a community stadium.
Contact: Tim Carder tim.carder@virgin.net
================ previously =================
LESS THAN 7 DAYS TO SAVE BRIGHTON
Major setback for Falmer, 5/2/2004
Since the Goldstone Ground was sold from under our feet in 1995, Brighton fans have been battling for a new stadium. Anyone who has been to Withdean will know how desperately we need one.
The plans for a 22,000-seat stadium at Falmer, on the edge of Brighton, are now with John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, who will make the final decision. However, on 4th February, a report by a planning inspector into the local development plan for the city recommended that this site should not be allocated for a community stadium.
This is extremely unhelpful, to say the least, but we believe the report ignores much of the evidence at the recent public inquiry and the Deputy Prime Minister should afford it little weight when he makes up his mind.
We don't know when we will hear Mr Prescott's decision. It could be as little as seven days time, but if it goes against us then Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club is doomed.
We cannot stay at Withdean (which is for temporary use only and very inadequate - capacity 7,000) and there is no other viable site apart from Falmer. Even if there was, we cannot afford another planning application - the present one has cost £2.5 million. The club will die. It might be quick or it might be slow, but it will die.
What we are asking fans of ALL clubs for is this.
PLEASE either write a letter to the Deputy Prime Minister or send an email AS A MATTER OF URGENCY. PLEASE DO THIS NOW.
We need to get over to Mr Prescott that a new home for Brighton & Hove Albion, as part of a nationwide league of clubs playing the national sport, is a matter of national importance - especially as the Brighton urban area is the 10th largest in England and Wales (1991 census).
So, the points to make are as follows (you can cut and paste this bit):
Dear Deputy Prime Minister
I am writing to urge you to approve the plans for a community stadium at Falmer, Brighton. I believe you should do this for the following reasons:
1. Brighton & Hove is a somewhat isolated city of national importance with 250,000 residents. Its football club is important as part of the national league competitions in our national sport. A stadium in the city is clearly in the national interest.
2. A stadium is essential for the well-being of any town or city. The Brighton & Hove community stadium would provides huge benefits in sport, health, education, skills, crime-reduction and employment, especially in the deprived areas of East Brighton. It will enable the football club to fulfil its potential within the community for the benefit of all.
3. The site identified by the city council on the University of Brighton campus and adjacent field is the only location in the area for a stadium where a sustainable transportation strategy can be implemented in line with Government policy. Land-take is thus minimised.
These benefits far outweigh the loss of a small area of land in the area of outstanding natural beauty.
Since the previous, discredited, absentee owner sold the club's former ground against the wishes of an entire community, Brighton & Hove Albion supporters have battled for nine years to provide a suitable home for their club. Please approve the plans for Brighton & Hove's community stadium.
Yours sincerely
etc etc
PLEASE BE SURE TO ADD YOUR NAME AND POSTAL ADDRESS whether on a letter or an email. You might also like to add which team you support. Then the Deputy Prime Minister will understand that this is an issue for people all over the country.
You can of course embellish the above points with any you wish to make, but it is essential that you send something if you ever want to come and see football by the seaside again.
Letters should be sent to:
Rt Hon John Prescott MP
Deputy Prime Minister
Cabinet Office
Whitehall
London SW1A 2WH
Emails should be sent to planning.general@odpm.gsi.gov.uk
Letters on headed paper would be especially welcome from football clubs, supporters' clubs, ISAs, trusts, etc.
Thank you for your help. Please pass information about this website www.ClubsInCrisis.com to as may people as possible.
Further information on the Brighton & Hove Albion crisis can be found here and on the official football club website www.seagulls.co.uk
See also the Petition link at the bottom of the page!
====================== Previously ======================
4-06-04
Brighton & Hove Albion have asked for a 3 months adjournment at the public enquiry for the new stadium to be built at Falmer.
One third of the land for the new stadium, that is essential to the future of the club, is owned by the University of Brighton and it is believed that it is these negotiations that have caused the club to ask for the adjournment of the enquiry. The university have said they will object to the building of the stadium if the club do not meet their demands while Dick Knight, Brighton"s Chairman has always said he will not allow the future of the club to be put in danger.
Both sides insist that the negotiations are not about money for the land
Rumours are that the university are using the issue to force the club into a corner over match day conditions and penalties if these conditions are not met and it is these that Mr Knight believe are not in the interest of the club.
If these negotiations do not meet a satisfactory end then the whole future of the stadium will be in doubt
==================== Previously ====================
10.03.03
Dick Knight Chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion has explained some of the reasons for Albion's financial difficulties.
In an email to all supporters he explained.
'As an Albion fan you know the Club are currently battling hard on two fronts: to stay in Division One and to win the fight for our new stadium at Falmer.
Less well known are the stark financial facts of Albion life, which significantly impact on these endeavours:
1) The capacity limits and crippling overheads of Withdean mean that the Albion's net gate receipts are less than one-quarter of the average Division One club gate income per home game (the home club keeps 100% of gate receipts in League matches).
2) The Public Inquiry for Falmer is costing the Club £700,000 - an iniquitous burden on top of the £1.3 Million we have already spent on the highly complex Planning Application for our new stadium.
The Albion is the catalyst that has put the new stadium on the local agenda. Our Planning Application shows a wider vision: we want this to be a community stadium where all levels of Sussex sport can flourish from the grassroots upwards, and where sport can be used to promote learning and healthy lifestyles.
In short, the new stadium at Falmer will not only provide a magnificent new home for the Albion, but bring substantial other sporting, community and economic benefits to Brighton, Hove and Sussex.
He then went on to explain how taking the clubs credit card could help. Whoever heard of a credit card with SKINT proudly displayed on it?
Right now, this quite simply is the best way you can help the Club - and at no cost to you!
Some of our fans have already applied - and if you are one of those people, my grateful thanks - but imagine if every Albion supporter who uses a credit card, an estimated 3000 fans, signs up NOW for our new Skint Card. That would put £150,000 into the Club immediately - vital help that can make a difference, but it wouldn't cost those supporters a penny. I can't think of a better and easier way to help the Club!
The great news about the Card doesn't end there.
Backed by MasterCard® and Bank of Scotland, this special new Card gives you a range of excellent benefits, including low interest rates, and will boost the Club financially every time you use it. So you can enjoy genuine credit card advantages, and all the while continue to help the Seagulls, at no cost to you.
Finally, whoever heard of a credit card with SKINT proudly displayed on it? Our special relationship with Skint Records means that this card is unique, the only credit card to raise a smile each time you use it! Only the Albion bring you such a fantastic piece of plastic.'
Apply for the BHAFC MasterCard
=================== Previously ===================
The final push for the new stadium at Falmer has started with the public enquiry starting on Feb 18.
Supporters can help the decision to go Albion's way by writing a letter to John Prescott. Saying why you believe he should approve the plans for the new community stadium at Falmer. You should mention that Falmer is the only suitable site in the city. That the stadium will provide a home for the city's professional football club, the stadium will bring huge economic, sporting and social benefits to the city, and the stadium will help to increase civic pride in the city. Unlike previous letter campaigns we do not want 1000's of copies of the same letter as individually written letters will have a greater impact.
The club have asked anyone that writes the letter to send it to 44 North Road Brighton BN1 1YR so they can present Mr Prescott with the letters in one hit.
=================== Previously ===================
Brighton & Hove City Council have approved the planning permission for 2,000 extra seats at The Withdean Stadium.
This will raise the capacity to nearly 9,000 which will allow many of the supporters who have been unable to attend matches to support their club. Although having a database of 23,000 fans wanting tickets when Albion were in the 3rd Division this is clearly still not enough.
At the same meeting the council approved an extension to the lease to enable Albion to stay at Withdean until 2005.
================== Previously ==================
Despite the council voting 11-1 in favour of the planning application and a local referendum showing massive support, the government have called the planning application in for a public enquiry. This will set back the move from Withdean with its limited capacity another year meaning the Albion will stay at the athletics stadium until at least 2005.
================= Previously =================
The decision on whether the government might call in Albion's application for a new stadium at Falmer for a public inquiry won't be made until mid- August at the earliest. It had been hoped a decision would be made by the government on whether to determine the application itself by mid-July.
The delay has been caused by a discrepancy on council notices and newspaper adverts announcing the planning application in January. The Government Office for the South-east says these should have pointed out the development was a departure from the Local Plan - a blueprint for the city's development.
New adverts and site notices will be published on July 5, highlighting that the council is 'minded to grant' the application as a departure from the Local Plan. This therefore means that the government won't make a decision on any call-in before mid August at the very earliest.
=================== Previously ===================
Nobody said that the next stage would be easy.
When asked by the clubs official website Chief Exec Martin Perry explained what to expect next with the new stadium Perry said, 'In general terms, the decision made by the planning committee means that the city council are now on board to support us if the application goes to a public inquiry.'
As for the chances of a public enquiry Perry said 'It is a decision for the Secretary of State. He will be notified by the Government Office of the South East in the next few days that the city council are minded to grant approval. He then has a period of 21 days to make up his mind, although he does have the right to extend that time at his own discretion. So, realistically, a decision can be expected in the next four to six weeks as to whether he wishes to call it in for a public inquiry.'
If the Secretary of State does call the application in for an inquiry a decision could be expected in December. The inquiry Inspector would then provide the Secretary of State with his report, who could then take up to another six months to deliberate over his decision. This means that realistically, final approval could be expected a year from now, in June 2003.
In the meantime, Albion will be working towards satisfying over 30 conditions set out by the planning committee in Wednesday's meeting, which will need to be fulfilled whether an inquiry is called or not. This includes completing negotiations with both Universities at Falmer, which are now in the final stages, and examining some transport issues. Perry added, 'We are also going to start making the bids for various parts of the funding package, as well as beginning to talk to contractors.'
However, Perry was adamant to point out: 'Whatever happens, it is unlikely that any work can start on that site until next June, or thereabouts - public inquiry or not. But, what happened on Wednesday was a huge step, because the council are now on board.'
================== Previously ==================
Brighton and Hove City Council planners have voted 11-1 in favour of the planning application for Brighton's new stadium at Falmer.
This is another step towards securing the future for Brighton & Hove Albion, but is far from finalised. The stadium still has many objectors who will do their utmost to convince the government to call the application in for judicial review, if they succeed this will add at least another year to the timetable before any work can be started on the stadium.
The government have six weeks to call the application in. Let's hope they don't.
=================== Previously ===================
At long last the date for the council to review the planning application for the new stadium at Falmer has been set. However after months of delays many fans will be upset that the council have set a date so far away. The planning application will not go to the city council's planning committee until Wednesday 12th June. This is to provide the council with time to receive views from the Highways Agency and Lewes District Council who have already stated their objections.
=================== Previously ===================
Time is running out for fans of football at all clubs to do their bit to help the Albion by signing the petition asking Brighton & Hove City Council to approve the plans for the new stadium.
To allow this application to fail would be devastation for the club and the fans. The Anti Falmer brigade are working hard to oppose the application with their own petition which is why we must ensure that our petition outnumbers theirs.
Petition forms can be found on the Falmer for all website.
================== Previously ==================
Brighton & Hove Albion have launched two petitions for people to sign asking the local council to pass either (both?) planning applications for the new stadium at Falmer.
The application is due to meet stern opposition from Nimbys and the petitions are needed to show that more people are in favour than against the development. The antis already have a petition.
The first petition is for not just for people from all around the country including the Brighton area. The second petition is for people who live in or regularly visit the Lewes District Council area. This petition is needed as the development adjoins the Lewes District and the council have already voiced their opposition.
Details of the proposed new stadium and links to the petition can be found on the Falmer for all web site
=================== Previously ===================
We wait all this time for the planning application to go in and then 2 come along.......
Brighton & Hove Albion have put in 2 planing applications for 2 separate sites at Falmer.
The reasons are simple, the club and Brighton University have still failed to agree costs over the land at the Village Way North site so the Albion have submitted permission for Village Way North and their alternative site at Village Way South while they continue to negotiate with the university
Only one of the planning applications will actually make it all the way to the planning committee, with the other one being withdrawn at an appropriate time. The application for Village Way South will be withdrawn should agreement be reached with the University of Brighton over the plans for Village Way North.
