09 February 2012
Fourteen further outdoor spaces in Eastbourne have been nominated as part of The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge scheme.
The challenge was set up by Fields in Trust (FIT), to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this year. Their aim is to permanently protect various outdoor spaces from development in communities across the UK.
At a council cabinet meeting this week, members voted to put forward 14 sites for protection. Last year, six local sites were successful in being supported by FIT and were put on their website, the largest being Hampden Park.
Originally, the QEII Fields Challenge was designed to protect two thousand and twelve outdoor areas around the UK by the beginning of 2012. However, the initiative fell short allowing further sites to be nominated to hit the target number.
For a space to be nominated for protection by FIT it must be at least half an acre in size and open to the public, whilst its principle use should be outdoor sport, play and/or recreation.
This time around the fourteen outdoor spaces are spread across several council wards in Eastbourne, from Sovereign Park in the North East to the Italian Gardens in the South West.
Cllr Steve Wallis, portfolio holder for the environment, said: "It's really good news that we've been allowed to put forward even more of Eastbourne's fantastic outdoor spaces for long-term protection, courtesy of the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge.
"This has the scope to make the Jubilee year even more special for Eastbourne residents, giving them peace of mind that some of their favourite spaces will be there for many years to come."
Councillors will find out later in the year if their nominated areas have been approved by FIT for protection.
