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SALTDEAN NEWS 2001
- The 'United' Saltdean Referendum
The results last year of the Referendum in Saltdean stated
that nearly 80% of residents who voted would like to see
a united Saltdean. At the moment, 2579 houses in the area
fall under Brighton and Hove Council's catchment area, with
1275 homes coming under Lewes District Council.
Saltdean Resident's Association sent referendum papers
to 3854 homes asking whether they would like to be united
under one authority. 1549 voting cards were returned, 1237
in favour of unity and only 312 against.
Residents voted overwhelmingly to become part of Brighton
and Hove by 1018 votes to 196 who waned to be apart of Lewes.
The count took place at Saltdean Community Centre on March
1st 2001 and was overseen by Lewes District Councillor Michael
Thorne and Rottingdean Preservation Society vice-president,
John Cooper.
The Residents Association is now lobbying the two councils
in readiness for the Local Government Commission review
of the Saltdean Boundary which is not expected to take place
until after the current programme of electoral reviews in
three years time.
Saltdean Resident's Association Chairman, Don Burrell said
in the April SRA newsletter last year ' I am very pleased
with the turnout. Many councillors and politicians would
like to get that kind of turnout in an election. We realise
that nothing is going to change overnight, but by conducting
this referendum now, we are aware of the feelings of Saltdean
residents and can begin to make those feelings known to
the local authorities and the Government department's concerned'.
Brief History of the Boundary;
Before 1928 Newhaven Rural District Council administered
the whole of Saltdean
1928 The County Borough of Brighton was extended to Longridge
Avenue. East Saltdean remained with Newhaven.
1933 A rearrangement of District Councils. Chailey Rural
District Council took over the rural coastal areas including
East Saltdean. West Saltdean remained with Brighton.
1935 Telscombe Parish Council petition Brighton Corporation
to take steps to incorporate parish with County Borough.
1939 Chailey RDC in favour of East Saltdean, but not Telscombe
Cliffs going into Brighton. Opinion remained same in 1950.
1953 SRA referendum in East Saltdean 74.95% in favour of
going into Brighton.
1955 Chailey RDC referendum, 76.30% East Saltdean residents
in favour of going into Brighton. Brighton changed it's
mind about transferring East Saltdean, until Chailey carried
out coastal protection works. Works not carried out until
1964.
1967 Telscombe Parish Council in favour of East Saltdean
going into Brighton.
1969 Anglican Church of saltdean created, including East
Saltdean.
1972 Local Government re-organisation. Chailey RDC disbanded.
Lewes District Council formed. Brighton no longer a County
Borough.
1976 Local Government Commissioners visit area and conclude
in their 1979 report 'it is...quite clear that Saltdean
and Telscombe Cliffs are two distinctly separate residential
areas, widely separated by Telscombe Tye'. Saltdean is 'to
all intent and purposes one common community with strong
local ties despite being at present in two different local
government districts'.
1978 Telscombe Parish Council in favour of unity of East
and West Saltdean within the Lewes District Council area.
1996 Local Government re-organisation. Brighton and Hove
Unitary Authority created.
2001 Saltdean Residents Association Boundary Referendum.
United with Brighton & Hove Council
Advantages - Majority of Saltdean already covered, Telscombe
Tye a natural boundary, part of a large area attracting
funding and recognition, one level of Council Tax
Disadvantages - part of a large city, on the edge of the
authority, loss of Telscombe Town Council local accountability.
United with Lewes District Council
Advantages - part of a rural area, part of Telscombe Town
Council with local accountability.
Disadvantages - Unnatural boundary line with Brighton and
Hove continuing confusion, on the edge of the authority,
3 levels of council tax, West Saltdean's location to Telscombe.
For more information and a detailed survey of the results
Click Here
From May 2003, the number of Brighton and Hove City Councillors
will be reduced from 78 down to 54. Rottingdean Ward will
now stretch from Longridge Avenue in Saltdean to Lewes Crescent
in Brighton. Also included with Rottingdean are Ovingdean,
Roedean and Brighton Marina.
Meanwhile Lewes District Council are reducing the number
of councillors on their council from 48 to 41. Telscombe
Cliffs and East Saltdean Wards will join and have three
councillors replacing the current three for each ward.
- Undercliff from Ovingdean to Marina to be closed
for two Summers
Brighton and Hove City Council is expecting to have confirmation
soon that the government will provide the total funding
of about £10 million and that they are are planning
for work to start next June. The anticipated timetable is
18 months, although it is possible that some contractors
might reduce this.
Whatever, the Undercliff at that point is expected to be
closed for the next two summers. This work has been delayed
for some time since the completion of Ovingdean to Saltdean
awaiting funding to be agreed.
This will affect us in that there will be no access where
the Undercliff is to be rebuilt, and according to the work
schedule, Rottingdean and Ovingdean will be open at all
times. There will be vehicular access for the lorries by
way of the slope at the Marina and exiting at Rottingdean.
There should be less traffic because the old concrete will
not be removed, it will be ground up as a base for the new
walk, which will mean that the new surface will be 30 cms
higher, so most of the spoil will stay on the site. Although
the groynes will be renewed by being encased in concrete,
rocks will be imported to protect the front of the sea wall.
Thankfully, these will come in by sea and unload at high
tide rather than by lorry.
There is bound to be some inconvenience, although the timing
will be fragmented, being governed by the tides.
Finally, Ovingdean cafe will be lost, but there are plans
for a new and better structure, and changes to the roofs
of the beach huts will make them less susceptible to vandals.
Please contact Rottingdean Parish Council if you would
like more technical details of the construction project
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