21 October 2011
The public will have its say on plans to turn Eastbourne Park into the “green heart” of the town.
Council leaders have agreed a new planning document to support a new Eastbourne Park policy, in the emerging Eastbourne Plan.
The Eastbourne Park Supplementary Planning Document sets out a clear strategy for the future management of the park, the grazing wetland area in the centre of Eastbourne.
The consultation document establishes a clear vision for the park, namely that by 2027 the park will provide a unique, accessible and sensitively managed ‘green heart’, which makes a significant contribution to the social, economic and physical well-being of the community.
At a meeting of the council’s cabinet this week, members agreed that the plan be published for a 12-week consultation period, aimed at key stakeholders such as landowners, local interest groups and residents.
The council recognises the need to protect Eastbourne Park for existing and future generations and acknowledges that it is currently an under-utilised resource.
The Supplementary Planning Document when finally approved will play an important role in conserving and enhancing the park, with a focus on its ecology, archaeology and flood prevention, whilst also managing the area’s appropriate leisure and recreation uses.
The Eastbourne Park Supplementary Planning Document will also be used to determine planning applications within the boundaries of Eastbourne Park.
To help produce the document, councillors and council officers visited other wetlands at Arundel, Barnes and Pulborough Brooks to investigate potential wetland management approaches that could be replicated in Eastbourne Park.
Cllr Steve Wallis, Lead Member for the Environment, said: “Eastbourne Park is one of the town’s many unique and appealing features, and for many visitors it is the first glimpse they see of our landscape.
“It is therefore essential that this wonderful ecology is properly maintained and enhanced. This planning document is the tool with which we can protect the park and ensure it fulfils its potential for local recreation.”
The 12-week consultation will run from 4 November 2011 to 27 January, 2012.
