Your Letters - December 7

Firm intent

"THE recently restored De La Warr Pavilion has been criticised for failing to appeal to the public. More than 50 per cent of respondents to a recent survey said they had been dissatisfied with their visit to the multi-million pound iconic venue. Rother District Council has appointed a working group to review the future funding for the arts centre."

Not my choice of words, unfortunately, but those of Sussex Life in their "bad month for'¦" article, (December) a widely-read and influential magazine.

My point is that this is possibly the last chance Bexhill has through the district council working group to try and influence how that iconic building is run for our benefit. I say "our benefit" deliberately, because we make a sizeable contribution to its upkeep, it belongs to us through Rother District Council and it needs to change.

The statement of the working group chair concerning the possible inclusion of Tourist Information Centre facilities (Observer, November 30) does nothing to allay our concerns about the future direction.

A dialogue is desirable and I wish a successful outcome, but unless Rother is firm in its intentions and clearly resolved to achieve change, Bexhill and the De La Warr Pavilion will get more of the same, with financial decline and public disappointment guaranteed.

Martyn Forster East Sussex County Councillor

for East Bexhill

Rother District Councillor for St Michael's Ward

On condition

IF we are to have an information centre, make the taxpayers' contribution to the DLWP conditional upon the DLWP clearing out the tip known as the"DLWP. Off-site Premises", installing the TIC there, and deducting the cost of running the TIC from the annual taxpayers' grant to the DLWP.

DEREK DULY

Newlands Avenue

Just asking

GIVEN that the best feature of Bexhill is its sea shore, I would ask the following questions:

1. How long would the central part of the promenade be turned into a construction site? If the renovation of the De La Warr Pavilion is anything to go by - quite a few years.

2. Who will pay for the "costly" impact study, which could well be turned down on environmental grounds anyway?

3. Who would patronise an hotel and businesses situated out to sea in the winter? Nothing much here to attract local people.

4. Where are all the yacht owners who might benefit from a marina? Probably in the Mediterranean.

5. How would the sewage from an 83-bedroom hotel be dealt with?

V.A. White

Devonshire Road

Building sites

I HAVE just seen a letter regarding plans put forward by McCarthy and Stone to turn five houses into a development of 60-plus apartments in Barnhorn Road.

Why is Bexhill attracting so many of these kinds of planning applications '“ first there was the Chantry Avenue debacle and we've recently had the Pebsham case; are there really no other options open to McCarthy and Stone?

Why could they not await the building of the new Link Road and bid for one of the sites that will be opened up for development when this happens?

Every time one sees an application of this kind one is always fearful that it will get approval, despite local and council protestations (remember '“ applicants can appeal against the initial decisions but the process becomes much harder for those who oppose the developments).

But, what would happen if a developer buys up half a dozen houses, builds 100 flats on the site, then a few years down the line another developer (or member of the public posing as one, to test the water) made an application to tear down the flats so that they could build six family houses?!!

M Christie

Reginald Road

Art waste

I WAS among the many people of Bexhill who protested against the De La Warr being used by a pub chain in order that it became a centre for enjoyment of local people and those further away. What a disappointment!

I went there today (Saturday) to see the art project. What a waste of money and space!

Where are the vibrant entertainments which could be provided by talented individuals in local organisations?

Where are the works of the many local artists?

When will we have a proper pantomime which our small grandchildren can enjoy?

My husband and I have just returned from Italy and in one town saw a photographic display. This was a most enjoyable experience as the photographer had caught the local life with humour and sensitivity. The variety of emotions displayed really engaged the viewer.

We were among a crowd of local people but in the De La Warr I was on my own. Enough said?

All this has been said before but will the De La Warr Committee listen?

J. WELCH

Ellerslie Lane

So simple

ROTHER District Council needs money for the West Parade regeneration project.

Sea Space has money for the regeneration of Bexhill. Come on folks, a little joined up thinking here!

GRAHAM MARTIN-ROYLE

Cooden Drive

Craft skills