A Quest to Make Rampion the Champion

By Samuel Peace

Ever since the proposal to build a wind farm off the coast of Brighton & Hove was made public, controversy was sure to follow. Protests against turbines is nothing new as farms can take up lots of land, destroy habitats and are considered eyesores by many people. Off-shore sites can often solve these issues. However, for a project the size of the proposed wind farm (named Rampion), there are still hurdles to overcome. The E.ON owned venture which will stretch between the Newhaven and Worthing coasts, has to please many people before it has the chance to make Sussex one of the UK’s greenest areas.

What is Rampion? – Rampion (named after the county flower of Sussex) is a proposed wind farm which will be located 13-23km off the coast of Sussex. The area of the site will take up 167 square kilometres with water depths of between 19 and 50 metres. The installed electrical capacity of the farm is going to be around 700 megawatts; however, the number of turbines is as of yet unknown (though it will be no more than 195). The generating capacity for each turbine will be between 3MW (maximum height being 180 metres) and 7MW (210 metres). Based on wind speed data from existing off-shore wind farms around the UK*, E.ON is hoping to be able to generate over 2,100 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity each year. According to the Office of National Statistics census data, this would be enough to power 450,000 average homes, which is over two thirds of the homes in Sussex (including Brighton & Hove).

Sussex was chosen as an ideal place for such a venture via the Government’s Off-shore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). The Crown Estate who owns the seabed around the UK awarded E.ON the development rights for Sussex in January 2010. With many old fossil fuelled power stations being closed because they can no longer viably meet the emissions regulations, the Government’s now looking for ways in which to get renewable (and cleaner) energy. Off-shore wind farms are one source they are focusing on. In the last three years E.ON has been working hard to build up the prospective plans, and to consult all relevant and interested parties. This also included the local community under section 47 of the Planning Act 2008.

The Sussex Wildlife Trust was one of the organisations who was consulted. They helped assess the possible effects the farm could have on the natural heritage of the county. Although the trust is all for cleaner energy, they found a number of issues which could seriously affect the local marine life. The main concern is over the seahorse population which has been spotted around the location of the proposed site. The seahorses are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly harm or disturb them or to damage their place of shelter. Shell fish, herrings and other sea creatures were also thought to be at risk.

Timothy Loughton MP for East Worthing and Shoreham commented on concerns raised about the safety of sea creatures by saying that the turbines would be “Beneficial for creating new marine feeding grounds”. His constituents were ‘mostly in favour’ however he said: “Those on Shoreham Beach were split 50-50 in a survey I carried out there”.

E.ON went on to create an Environmental Statement – made available online for the public to see in mid-2012. It details the project and the steps taken to ensure every potentiality is covered. This includes reports on all surveys undertaken and every consultation held. Because the farm will generate more than 100MW it is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) under the Planning Act 2008. This means unlike most planning applications which are submitted to local authorities under the Town and Country Planning Act, the Rampion proposal will instead be seen and considered by the Planning Inspectorate (formerly the Infrastructure Planning Commission).

The statement was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate alongside the planning application for the development on the 1st March 2013. After 28 days E.ON’s application was accepted for examination. This means that the Planning Inspectorate will fully examine the details of the proposal and will make the final decision of whether or not to grant or deny planning permission by mid-2014.

Peter Hunter a Specialist Off-Shore Wind Energy Consultant believes that the visibility shouldn’t be too much of an issue. He said: “The ‘cons’ are only visual and only applicable for those to whom it means something. What people did not realise then, but do today, is that it is very rare that the view at just above sea level is absolutely clear.  There is nearly always a sea mist or, during the summer, a sea haze.  Consequently the white/grey structures fade considerably to the land based eye.  At that time I said in a BBC interview that; “the wind turbines would appear as sea gulls dancing on the horizon”.

Simon Kirby MP for Kemptown and Peacehaven also doesn’t think the visual aspect will be a problem. He said: “I think tourism may be enhanced because there will be people who will want to see the turbines.”

If permission is granted, E.ON expects to complete the farm by 2017/18. They estimate it will take two years to finalize plans and two years to construct, with a total cost of £2 billon.

Norman Baker MP for Lewes and Newhaven said in the Leader newspaper “I’m pleased that matters are moving forward. This development, if given permission, will create an initial 85 jobs in Newhaven, as well as helping the UK both to become more energy self-sufficient and cut carbon emissions.”

For more information on the project visit the links below:

Rampion Proposal & Map

Environmental Statement

Rampion FAQ

Current Status

To see the final proposal currently under examination from the Planning Inspectorate and to register your interest visit:
http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/south-east/rampion-offshore-wind-farm/?ipcsection=overview

*As stated on E.ON’s project information page.

Friends with Fur

By Pippa Birchall

To all the animal lovers out there, we all can agree that pets can play a big part in bringing happiness and comfort to our lives. However, not all of us have a furry dog or cat to cuddle up to within close reach. There are many people suffering from isolation in hospitals and retirement homes and the companionship and unconditional love of a pet can help bring their life gradually back to normal.

Pets as Therapy (P.A.T) was founded in 1983, a charity set up to provide therapeutic pet visits to people in need at hospitals, care homes, special need schools and many other venues. Many of the people who receive help from Pets as Therapy explain how meeting with the animals is the highlight of their week; some even claim that the pets who visit are their reason to stay alive.

Since the founding of the national charity, over 23,000 dogs and cats have been registered.

Graham Bourgoing is the area coordinator for Pets as Therapy in Brighton and regularly takes his golden retriever, Lucy to visit stroke patients in the local area.
Lucy helps people to relax. Their blood pressure decreases when they stroke her and you can see they are happy to see her,” explains Graham.

Many patients miss their own pets while they are in hospital so seeing and talking to the dog can make a real difference.”

Not only do the pets visit people in hospitals they also visit schools to help the children with their literacy skills. Research shows that children can become nervous and stressed when asked to read in a group, so the Pets as Therapy volunteers are happy to go along and introduce the children to the pets, where they can interact with the animals whilst they are reading. Almost straight away the children look forward to reading in class and improve their reading skills as they have had encouragement from their new furry friends.
I spoke to one of the administrators for P.A.T and she explained how all Pets as Therapy dogs and cats are required to take a test to check their temperament and be fully vaccinated before going on the visits. I also asked how easy is it to take pets into a hospital environment? She told me that the hospitals approach the charity rather than it being the other way round as they feel it is very beneficial to the patients.

If you are interested in helping out with P.A.T they are looking for volunteers in the Brighton Area to help out in the hospitals and hospices, they are especially looking for friendly cats and owners to come forward.

Go to www.petsastherapy.org or www.sussexcaringpets.org for more information.

Here Come The Girls… Or Maybe Not

by Chris Barnes

The face of women’s sport is changing, although not necessarily for the better. The figures already in place are shocking – new research from the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation suggest women’s sport receives just 5% of sport coverage in Britain – and have for a long time been the subject of much heated debate.

Sussex Spook-tacular

By Jack Hayward

Before I proceed to tell you all about the vast range of ‘Spook-tacular’ events going on in Sussex this week I will confess that I am not exactly enthusiastic about the whole ‘Trick-or-Treat’ fest, so apologies if some of my own negativity decides to creep in.

Never one for negativity though (ahem), I have compiled a list of some of the hotspots for local Halloween fun for all those out there who do have a penchant for throwing eggs at houses, terrorising grannies and more generally those who enjoy dressing up in ridiculous outfits all in the name of blood, guts, gore and horror.

Enough of my own personal cynicism, here are some suggestions of where to go and what to do this week if you are of a more haunted persuasion…

The media’s reaction to Megan Stammers’ disappearance

By James Dixon

Front-page stories have recently been dominated by news of the disappearance of Sussex school-girl, Megan Stammers. The story is shocking in its facts: a schoolgirl has run off to Europe with her teacher, Jeremy Forrest.

The British media have been keen to turn the story into a parallel of Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita: a taboo tale of forbidden love. The BBC, Daily Mail, Guardian and local paper the Eastbourne Herald have all covered the story with great enthusiasm and have dedicated numerous articles to updating the story as it unfolds.

How far should media coverage extend though? It is understandable that media organisations would want to cover the story but when does coverage eclipse the story and turn the issue into a perverse spectacle?

Photos have surfaced on news organisation’s websites - like the Daily Mail - of Jeremy Forrest on his wedding day in Brighton. These photos include his wife, Emily Forrest. Should media organisations be allowed to embroil innocent people in unfortunate affairs? Mrs Forrest will unfairly suffer for her husbands wrong doings; she does not need her face splashed across webpages and newspaper pages.

A good story needs a strong antagonist and it seems that Bishop Bell have fit that criteria well with its array of colourful characters. Robert Healy, a former supply teacher at Bishop Bell has previously been convicted for sex offences.  Speaking to the Mail, a parent of pupil, Charna Rose, said:  ‘She just doesn’t feel safe there [Bishop Bell] now.’ Should we be so quick to vilify a whole school?

Terry Boatwright, Head-Teacher at Bishop Bell School, has come under fire for his child protection policy as recent revelations have upturned the fact that a governor charged with sex offences is also connected to the school. Speaking to the BBC, Lucy Duckworth, a child protection campaigner, said: “I’ve written to [the school] and several other officials, including… Michael Gove and Stephen Lloyd MP, several times since February this year and stated their child protection policies have been inadequate throughout this time.”

Mr Boatwright said: the school was ”addressing and investigating concerns that had been raised.” He went on to state: “The school is a close-knit community and Megan’s disappearance has affected everyone connected with it.” Boatwright’s child protection policy may have been found wanting; however, Bishop Bell School has consistently produced high academic results in the Eastbourne area. It was top of the Eastbourne table this year with an impressive haul of 97 per cent of pupils attaining  five or more A* to C at GCSE level.

The Megan Stammers case has certainly raised one issue though. There appears to be a stark dichotomy in the handling of academic and social policy. Bishop Bell are unfortunate; they have become the unwilling scapegoats of a possible greater issue.

Brighton Station Revamp

By Tom Robinson

Brighton Station is to be revamped after a decision was made at a consultation earlier this year. Three options have been agreed to improve the front of the station.

The new proposals will see a new public area, cycle parking, a ticket office and a new taxi rank.

Brighton and Hove City Council believe that the needs of 14.5 million people who use the station will be met following the improvements. Council leader Jason Kitcat said “I think the plans are very positive”. Plans for the improvements have been ongoing now since 2010 but are now set to go underway.

Although there are some concerns that the revamp could affect congestion in the area, a recent poll of readers of The Argus voted in favour of the proposed plans.

But with train fares set to increase by up to 6.2% in January 2012 and some tickets set to cost over 11% more how many of the 14.5 million Brighton Station commuters will stay faithful to the station and National Railway in general.

I certainly won’t be, I am getting myself a bicycle…

Continued headache for Sussex authorities as travellers keep cropping up

By Henry Willis

A THORN in the side for town officials, the age-old predicament of what to do with the travellers in Brighton and Hove keeps on rearing its ugly head.

This summer we have seen travellers set up camp in some of the most picturesque settings in the city; on Hove seafront, Waterhall playing fields near Devils Dyke and they have been prolific in the Peacehaven and Telscombe area.

It is not just in Brighton and Hove though that they have cause problems, cropping up in Mid Sussex too as they have proved prevalent in Cuckfield, Burgess Hill and Hurstpierpoint, among other areas.

Problems have been posed by the travelling community that show it is more than just Nimbyism that puts fear into residents when they emerge nearby. In Burgess Hill there were a series of harrowing incidents set upon those living near newly-surfaced sites.

Residents were aggrieved to have lost pets because of appalling behaviour from a select few who disgraced the travelling community. Dangerous dogs were set upon cats with malicious intent, all animals attacked suffered serious injuries, had to be put down or are missing presumed dead.

Police continue to serve Section 61 notices that force travellers to move from land as camps persist on moving elsewhere and prove to be a headache for authorities in different places.

District councillors have called for tougher powers to be introduced to clamp down on travellers setting up camp as they please. Speaking to the Mid Sussex Times, Councillor Anne Jones said: “They’re costing us a fortune. I’m really fed up because they can’t do this sort of this in Ireland and they can’t do it in France.

“Why can they do it in the UK? The public don’t seem to have rights on this matter.

“This has got to change. We get squeezed on council tax and have to spend a lot of money getting travellers moved on.

“I want people to write to their MP to get the law changed so something can be done quicker to move these people on.”

The most recent public outcry came when travellers at Waterhall playing fields outline their intent for a lengthy stay when a permanent greenhouse structure was erected on the site that accommodates 14 lived-in dwellings and 14 other lodging vans.

Sussex a UK hotspot as temperatures continue to rise

By Catherine Roberts

Sussex is one of the top hotspots in the UK today with temperatures set to hit 23C this afternoon.

The sizzling weather started last weekend when Brighton businesses saw an influx of locals and tourists.

The Fortune of War pub on Brighton beach took over £11,000 in their busiest weekend of the year.

Usually open March-October, seafront traders between the piers agree that business start dates are creeping earlier and earlier.

This year most traders opened on February 27.

John and Judy Butcher’s seafront ice cream shop has been in the family for two generations. Judy Butcher said: “It’s definitely unusual for March.

“We just open when the sun comes out.”

Following the 2011 spring-time heat wave, it looks like summer is arriving sooner for the seafront business owners.

Although temperatures will take a dive next week, Brighton traders are bracing themselves for a second wave of tourists during the Easter break.

Next week will see temperatures drop by 9C and the sunshine will be replaced by grey cloud.

Brighton suffering from the Budget blues?

Chancellor fo the Exchequer, George Osborne.
Credit: Mholland

Mention the 2012 Budget to most people, and it’s unlikely to conjure excitement, but at the very least you might expect it to hold a certain morbid fascination. After all, when George Osborne and his colleagues squeeze the country’s spending and tinker with taxation, it’s we who are affected. But judging by the reactions of Brighton residents, it seems that a climate of despondency fostered by a prevailing economic insecurity means most people are not even interested in reading it.

Although many were unaware of the finer (some might say confusing) details of the document, there was a general perception that it is weighted unfairly, penalising the middle-classes and the vulnerable without even delivering the support to businesses that had been promised.

Budget grants £56m to fund controversial road

Combe Haven Valley
copyright: Simon Carey
http://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/1833

by Damien Murphy

The controversial link road between Hastings and Bexhill received a pledge of £56 million in yesterday’s Budget, to the fury of environmental campaigners.

The 5.6km (3 mile) route, which will cross Combe Haven Valley to link the A259 and B2092, was outlined in 2004 and received planning permission in 2009.

A decision on funding for the scheme has been delayed since December as the Department for Transport considered other alternatives, including a rail link.

Shiny black Jerwood Gallery opens on historic Hastings seafront

Jerwood Gallery
Credit: Yellow Book

A controversial £4m contemporary gallery opened opposite a shingle fishing beach in Hastings’ historic Stade last Saturday despite sustained opposition from locals.

The Jerwood Gallery houses a permanent collection not previously seen by the public and an exhibition by idiosyncratic 70-year-old Kent painter Rose Wylie.

The cafe balcony overlooks fishing moorings but the building was clad in pewter-black ceramic tiles by architects HAT to blend in with historic ‘net shops’.

Government cultural initiative ‘Sea Change’ also used £5m to turn the rest of what was a coach-park into a new public space and community centre.

2008 Guy Fawkes Hastings beach bonfire burned a mock-up of a generic ‘art gallery’, but counter-protesters came out to support the project next morning.

The south-east coast now features a string of such galleries including the Turner Contemporary in Margate and Bexhill’s modernist De La Warr Pavilion.

Sussex County Cricket Season Preview 2012

 

Photo By Loz Flowers

By Ian Walker

This year, the county cricket season will make it’s earliest ever start, the first fixture being played on April 5^th, with many of the top players across the league still out with international fixtures.

Sussex County Cricket has begun their pre season schedule, this week announcing the 15- man squad due to travelling to Dubai. The squad will again be led by Michael Yardy this year, as they look to better their 5^th place finish of 2011.

Head coach Mark Robinson, Shrewd and popular former Sussex medium-pacer will again be leading the squad this year. The man still holds the world record for 12 first-class ducks in a row, has been at the reins for seven years and is regarded as one of the best up and coming coaches.

A breadth of new additions this year to the one day squad, former Essex all rounder Scott Styris has joined the 2012 Friends Life T20 campaign.

Star all rounder Luke Wright, who missed out on most of last season with a knee injury, will also miss the start of this season after signing for IPL outfit Pune Warriors.

Despite star bowler Monty Panesar missing the first few games due to responsibilities with the England squad in West Indies, he will return to grace the PROBIZ ground once again.

Prediction for 2012: Fifth in Division One: Sussex lost an entire seam attack in Martin-Jenkins, Kirtley, Collymore and Arafat back in 2010.  They more than coped last year by exceeding prediction and finishing a solid 5^th.

 A strong spin-bowling attack featuring the prolific Monty Panesar and the leg-spinner Will Beer should again cause havoc at the wicket.

Meanwhile England keeper and all rounder Matt Prior along with newcomer Scott Styris should bring a much needed new dynamic to Sussex batting.

Lose some sleep but save a life: When you change your clocks, test your smoke alarms.

Credit: deltaalpha24

The Fire Kills campaign is urging people to make a potentially life-saving move when they change their clocks on the weekend of Sunday, March 25 – by taking a moment to test their smoke alarms too.

Their hard hitting advertising campaign, released this week, reminds people that there’s more at stake than the noise when you forget to test your smoke alarm – with a tagline stating “We all lose an hour’s sleep this weekend – make sure you don’t lose a lot more”

A working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999. But just half of all householders who own a smoke alarm say that they test that it’s working on a regular basis.

Save Saltdean Lido campaign continues

By Jodhi Doherty

The Saltdean lido is an iconic art-deco outdoor pool with terrace and sundeck and even though its cool outdoor waters may not be – the debate surrounding the 1930s attraction is hot.

For the past two years, protests to Brighton and Hove council have been heard from residents from Saltdean Community Association and the Save Saltdean Lido campaign highlighting how the 125-year-old lease should be removed from the hands of Dennis Audley, Buckingshire-based leaseholder.

Campaigners have accused the leaseholder Mr Audley of not maintaining the centre or parts of the lease by not opening on certain days.

Mr Audley told The Argus newspaper: “It has been very difficult the last few years.  All the publicity has destroyed our business. We’re still working towards an enabling development”.

Mr Audley is not planning on giving up just yet but Rebecca Crook, the chairman of Save Saltdean Lido also told The Argus: “We have always said that we are in this for the long-term and will not stop campaigning until the lease is handed to the community – its rightful owners”.

Brighton v Portsmouth preview

By Ian Walker

Without a win in two games, Gus Poyet’s Brighton are hungry to get back to their winning ways.  Saturday sees the Seagulls taking on bottom of the league, Portsmouth; fans will be looking for a similar result to the away fixture, considering Portsmouth’s poor form this season.

No new team news ahead of Saturday’s southern stand off, Brighton are still anticipating the return of full-back Marcos Painter who is steadily on the mend after his hamstring injury put him out 18 weeks ago.  Meanwhile, Spanish midfielder Vicente Rodriguez is still short of match fitness however could return depending on training this weekend.  Midfielder Gary Dicker is edging slowly back to fitness and could also feature at the Saturday on Monday.

Meanwhile, 50 miles down the road, beleaguered south coast Portsmouth are riddled with woe, after administrators signed off captain Liam Lawrence to Cardiff last week, their peril continues.   Star Nigerian forward Kanu is out with a back problem and Kelvin Etuhu is also set to miss out with his ongoing hamstring problem.

Last year’s clash saw the Seagulls come away with victory at Fratton Park back in August, record signing Craig Mackail- Smith scoring his first goal for the Albion.  Portsmouth will be looking to grind out a victory, after their terrible seven game streak without a win.

Brighton on the other hand, are also suffering recently, after their fantastic start to the season, the Albion have only one win in the last six, Gus Poyet will be looking to leading scorer Ashley Barnes to put the Gulls back into the playoffs.

Row over West Sussex County Council’s YouTube Service

By Paul Healey

A row erupted last week at county hall over the decision by the West Sussex County Council to devote £1million to public relations funds, including £40,000 for a You Tube website which would cost £26,000 a year to run.

Lib Dem members of the council attacked the council for its ‘extravagant’ communications budget when residents are facing cuts to public services.

Cllr James Walsh, deputy leader of the Lib Dem group said: “So far its clips, all promoting or extolling county services and personal interviews with Tory cabinet members as well as promoting the ‘Big Society’, had been seen by a maximum of 200 viewers, out of a population of 750,000.

“That doesn’t seem like good value to me. At a time of savage cuts to personal care services for vulnerable elderly and young people, it is astonishing.”