OUT IN THE FIELD: ANPR cameras charging to drive to Beachy Head is a preposterous idea

Since I was in my 30s, I have had a love for public notices, planning applications and council accounts. You can find so much when you start sniffing about like a bloodhound. So when Eastbourne council issued its draft Downland Estate Plan, I put it on my bedside table and settled down for a bit of good bedtime reading. I was somewhat prepared as we all knew that following the outrage sparked when the council announced it wanted to sell the leases of the downland farms and the subsequent U-turn, money would have to be raised somehow through the downland estate. I had also already received the press release from the council’s PR folks asking the good people of Eastbourne for their views. But the 57 page document threw up some little gems that had not been mentioned. For example, on page 48 much is made of converting disused farm outbuildings to provide high quality glamping experiences. Mention is also made of developing the Downs Golf clubhouse to provide hotel accommodation too. That would be a wonderful idea if the plans would ever be passed by the South Downs National Park Authority, which is now the relevant planning body. However, bearing in mind the trouble caused when a Welcome to Eastbourne sign was considered a blot on the landscape, I doubt the council will have much success with that. Reading on, there are ambitious plans to convert Victorian barns, milking parlours and stables no longer suitable for modern farming systems to host local artisans, craftspeople, and business start-ups. Another great idea is the potential for a quality brand of products from the downland like lamb and beef as well as artisan producers. There is additional talk of courses being run on local and traditional crafts, cooking, arts, history or archaeology and even a museum. So far so good. But I have to say the wheels start to come off this particular fun bus when the conversation turns to “access charging for non-locals on the Beachy Head road”. The council estimates there are 800,000 vehicle movements a year on

The Claremont Hotel in Eastbourne today (Photo by Jon Rigby) SUS-201202-095103008

You can find so much when you start sniffing about like a bloodhound. So when Eastbourne council issued its draft Downland Estate Plan, I put it on my bedside table and settled down for a bit of good bedtime reading. I was somewhat prepared as we all knew that following the outrage sparked when the council announced it wanted to sell the leases of the downland farms and the subsequent U-turn, money would have to be raised somehow through the downland estate. I had also already received the press release from the council’s PR folks asking the good people of Eastbourne for their views. But the 57 page document threw up some little gems that had not been mentioned. For example, on page 48 much is made of converting disused farm outbuildings to provide high quality glamping experiences. Mention is also made of developing the Downs Golf clubhouse to provide hotel accommodation too. That would be a wonderful idea if the plans would ever be passed by the South Downs National Park Authority, which is now the relevant planning body. However, bearing in mind the trouble caused when a Welcome to Eastbourne sign was considered a blot on the landscape, I doubt the council will have much success with that. Reading on, there are ambitious plans to convert Victorian barns, milking parlours and stables no longer suitable for modern farming systems to host local artisans, craftspeople, and business start-ups. Another great idea is the potential for a quality brand of products from the downland like lamb and beef as well as artisan producers. There is additional talk of courses being run on local and traditional crafts, cooking, arts, history or archaeology and even a museum. So far so good. But I have to say the wheels start to come off this particular fun bus when the conversation turns to “access charging for non-locals on the Beachy Head road”. The council estimates there are 800,000 vehicle movements a year on the Beachy Head road and charges for non-residents of the borough could be collected through a “(gently) enforced Automatic Number Plate Recognition system’ which could produce “an immediate and substantial cash inflow” which could be “ring-fenced for the upkeep of the downs for both wildlife and tourists”. What?! Who in the name of all things Holy came up with such a preposterous idea?! Is there nobody of sane mind sitting in the room when these “ideas” are being brainstormed? I can imagine it now: within days of aforementioned ANPR cameras being installed, a grieving family who have come to lay flowers at Beachy Head will receive through the post a Dartford Crossing style penalty notice. I hope people will go down to the public consultation at The Beacon and make their views known. Or we will all be dusting off our placards. Again. Finally, whatever is left of the Claremont is coming down and we will get our seafront road back. Common sense has prevailed.