 The ‘Vision’ for the Neighbourhood Development Plan is for Peacehaven and Telscombe Towns to be sustainable with clean air and in an environment which provides a good quality of life for all inhabitants.
The beginning of 2021 has been dominated by consideration of the Meridian Site which is to be redeveloped by its owners Co-op Property. The consultants (AECOM) produced a concept Masterplan for the site which the Steering Group sought feedback on across the two towns. From the survey results we learnt that there were concerns about the scale of housing for the site and the reduction in the retail offer. There was support for new streets and public squares. The full results can be found on the website. The preferred developer Henry Davidson Developments (HDD) will be publishing the results of their pre-application survey. We understand they received some 1300 responses. The Neighbourhood Development Plan is a document concerning land use, that means not only land allocation for housing but also protecting and maintaining Local Green Spaces and Pocket Parks, creating a Green Infrastructure Plan. Working in co-operation with the two Town Councils, Peacehaven and Telscombe, the Steering Group is working on a number of projects and plans to benefit residents and the environment. An incredible amount of professionally produced evidence reports have been produced and can be found in the documents site of the Steering Group website. There is now a Communications Team and we will be producing more information for residents and we thank you all for your many comments which are all valued. With continuing support from all the ‘Vision’ can be achieved. Cathy Gallagher, Chair of Steering Group Facebook: Peacehaven & Telscombe Neighbourhood Plan Twitter: @TelscombePlan Email: ptsteergroup@yahoo.co.uk Rachel de Cock sings YouTube Live concert for Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Charity17/4/2021
 Brighton-based singer and songwriter, Rachel de Cock, will be singing emotive ballads to rocking electro pop; unique musical visions, inspired by life, art and the fantastical via YouTube Live on Sunday, 2 May 2021 4:00pm - 5:00pm in aid of Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Charity.
The concert will feature Rachel’s lockdown pop single, ‘Our Love is Made to Last’, which is in aid of our local Brighton NHS hospitals. This concert is free, but any donations received via their JustGiving page will go to the same charity. It will be approximately an hour in duration and is suitable for the whole family. Date: Sunday, 2 May 2021 Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm (GMT) YouTube Live Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yf7i7op17s Information: saltdeansingingclub@gmail.com /07791210547/ www.racheldecock.com Fundraising Link: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/eiagmusicbrighton Johan de Cock plays YouTube Live Concert for Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Charity7/4/2021
 Brighton-based pianist and composer, Johan de Cock, will be playing a relaxed piano concert via YouTube of original piano works on Sunday, 25 April from 4:00pm - 5:00pm in aid of our local Brighton NHS Hospitals.
The concert, which embraces contemporary, neoclassical and minimalist styles, will last about an hour and is suitable for people of all ages. Last year, Johan and Brighton-based singer and songwriter, Rachel de Cock, raised £1130 for the charity via JustGiving, and they are hoping to do the same again (or even better!) this year. Johan will also play some excerpts from a new educational piano suite, ‘The Rainbow Nation’, with illustrations by Rachel de Cock. The concert is completely free for anyone in the world to watch, but any donations received via their JustGiving page will go to help our local Brighton NHS Hospitals - they need the support more than ever now. Date: Sunday, 25 April 2021 Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm (GMT) YouTube Live Link: https://youtu.be/mZd6rWBk4qE Information: jdcremixes@yahoo.co.uk / 07935798256 Fundraising Link  Responses to a survey on ideas for the centre of Peacehaven have shown that residents in Peacehaven and Telscombe (including East Saltdean) rank a new supermarket, shops and cafes of highest importance with 60% supporting new pedestrian streets and squares for the new centre. The developer Henry Davidson Developments (HDD) is currently consulting on their own proposals however the original Masterplan (a set of ideas for the area) commissioned by Peacehaven and Telscombe Town Councils shows that people surveyed were lukewarm about proposals for new town houses, flats, sheltered housing and a care home. The 844 responses generated 2327 separate pieces of data to be analysed, so give a real insight into residents’ views. Other highlights from the survey include:
Cllr Cathy Gallagher who chairs the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group said: “While we note that a slight majority were opposed to the Masterplan overall, we were pleased that they liked the vision of new pedestrian streets and squares. We understand that people are worried about more homes being built without the infrastructure in place to support new and existing residents but have to be realistic – without new homes, none of the proposed improvements can happen. We will continue to listen to residents’ views as we develop the policies and projects and feed these into the draft Neighbourhood Plan which we hope to publish later in the summer.” The full Consultation Survey Report can be found here. Below is the preferred Peacehaven Centre Masterplan Vision (3.2) that residents and stakeholders were asked to comment on. The table that follows (Figure 3) sets out the number of homes and the amount of commercial space including apartments, town houses and terraced homes, car parking, a new supermarket with “green roof”, potential new location for the community centre and library. The Masterplan was commissioned by Peacehaven and Telscombe Town Councils and drawn up by international planning consultants AECOM. The Masterplan was funded by the Government as part of its support for Neighbourhood Plans across England. Despite the pandemic, great efforts were made to consult residents on their views. A summary leaflet and response form were distributed to every home and articles on the Masterplan featured on Facebook and Twitter, in the local press and newsletters. The full plan was made available on the two town councils’ and steering group’s websites with links to an online survey. Figure 2: Preferred Masterplan Option 3.2  Figure 3: Table showing number of units and floor area for each development block in Option 3.2
 Saltdean Lido pleased to be able to tell you that they will return on Monday 29th March with adult lane swimming and family swim! They will be reopening on a Monday, Wednesday and Saturday to begin with.
Booking will go live on Thursday 25th March. Please see below the guidelines and procedures they have put in place to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable visit. Season Tickets Summer Season tickets for the Lido are now available via the website and will run from 29th March to 5th September. Season ticket holders receive priority access when booking. You can purchase your season ticket by clicking here Online Bookings Only All bookings must be made online prior to arriving Bookings will open on Thursday 25th March All bookings must be made on the website or app. Members and season ticket holders will have priority booking of 7 days in advance. Non-members may book 6 days in advance. Outdoor Swimming Lane Swimming: 1. They will be utilising 'double' lanes so there is plenty of space to swim at a safe distance from other users 2. Use the lane (slow, medium, fast) most appropriate for your ability, based on users already in the pool. 3. Use the steps to enter the pool, ensuring social distancing. 4. Swim responsibly, maintaining social distancing at all times, follow the correct directions (clockwise within your roped section). Do not overtake. 5. If you need to rest at the end of the pool, move to the side of the lane to allow other swimmers to pass. 6. Avoid overtaking while swimming. Consider changing lanes during the session if this is not an appropriate lane. 7. Please come 'beach-ready', with your swim costume already on. Changing rooms will be closed until 12th April when indoor facilities are allowed to reopen. Family Swimming 1. They have reduced their capacity to give you plenty of space to enjoy your swim. While you can swim without social distancing within your family/ household, you will need to respect other pool users and families and ensure social distancing is maintained from other groups. 2. The Swimming Pool Admission policy applies; all children under 4 years must be supervised by an adult (aged 16+) on a 1 to 1 basis. Children aged 4-7 years must be supervised by one adult to a maximum of 2 children. If this minimum supervision is not adhered to, we will not be able to allow entry to the session. 3. Please come 'beach-ready', with your swim costume already on. Changing rooms will be closed until 12th April when indoor facilities are allowed to reopen. Opening Hours Opening hours from 29th March - 11th April will be Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 7:00 am - 14:00 pm. From the 12th April the opening hours will be extended into more days and towards May we will be opening full time hours. Facilities During this time the only available facility is a toilet, with no showers or indoor facility - in line with government guidelines.  Residents from Saltdean to Peacehaven are being urged to respond to the public consultation by Henry Davidson Developments (HDD) on the redevelopment of the Meridan Centre, Peacehaven.
The rebuilt Meridian Centre will be there for the next 50 plus years so this is your opportunity to help shape the future of the town. Key buildings in the current proposal include a large care home and a block of sheltered housing and no covered shopping centre. Other features include a smaller Co-op, 13 smaller retail units and no pub, restaurant or leisure facilities. Send your comments in to let your views be known so that this proposal does not become a planning application. You can fill in the survey here.  It's quick and easy to get free, regular community tests for Covid-19 to check that you're not passing on infection even if you feel fine.
Remember that one in three people with the virus don't have any symptoms. Regular weekly testing will help stop infection spreading in East Sussex.
If you DO have symptoms, please continue using the national NHS booking system or call 119.  The Peacehaven & Telscombe Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group (PTNP) met with the developer of the Peacehaven Meridian Centre - Henry Davidson Developments Limited (HDD) and have made a statement on their plans.
PTNP advised HDD that their plans did not fulfil the 'vision' for the Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) or the views of residents expressed in previous surveys. PTNP emphasised that this was an opportunity to develop a vibrant town centre to be used by all age groups and an opportunity to create a centre to encourage local people to use the facilities throughout the day and evening. A true destination with a greater number of retail units, a library, cafés and restaurants, improved community space, public realm, public transport, cycle paths with walkways and green infrastructure improvements. A housing mix reflecting and meeting local needs for affordable housing for all ages. A sustainable town centre reducing local dependence on the A259. PTNP has given their views to HDD but they want yours. Please fill out their survey and encourage others to do so. The views of the young count as this is a redevelopment which will affect them for the next 50 years plus.  SPRINGTIME IN THE DEANS
Prologue As well as me, who else here has incurable Peter Pan syndrome? People like us just can't grow up! Anyway, why should we? Let me quote from another sufferer – so famous that we all know him – as he revels in the new season's sights and sounds, colours and smells, the very touch and tastes of Spring: Jumping off all his four legs at once in the joy of living, and Spring without its cleaning, he pursued his way across the meadow, till he reached the further side. He rambled busily along the hedgerows, across copses, finding everywhere birds building, flowers budding, leaves thrusting.** Whether as young as you, or as old as me – and I'm now so old I'm a listed building – can we ever find anything more evocative of Spring's birth than Mole's delight in its arrival? Please feel free to prove me wrong, but I doubt it. As the annual miracle returns, let's pretend we're kids again, following in the footsteps of Mole and his Wind in the Willows mates, looking anew at the world, with eyes of wonder and excitement: we're going down the fascinating country walk from Woodingdean to Rottingdean on a Spring adventure!. If you don't find this a banquet for your senses, I'll eat my shoes – and sweaty socks. But to begin at the beginning; we must first get to Woodingdean; so climb aloft with me, why don't you, to the crow's nest that is the front of the number two bus; we board at its Rottingdean terminus opposite Tesco Express. The fun starts as we squeeze northward up the narrow High Street. It originally catered for animals and farm vehicles – even the occasional stage-coach – but wasn't built for motor traffic, never mind double-deckers. Our drivers sure earn their pay – they deserve medals. Can we spy into peoples' upstairs rooms? Cor, not 'arf! Once past The Green and on to Falmer Road, our horizons widen out to a glorious panorama. Horses and hedges and houses and huts dot a landscape of many shades of green. This really is horse country; they're everywhere – in valleys and paddocks, across the Downs, on the skyline. Is it any wonder, when Brighton Racecourse is less than a mile away? Ignorant city-slickers like me, dwellers in the semi-suburban coastal strip, don't realise what a huge equine-based economy exists and thrives behind us, just a little inland. Later, on foot, we can enjoy in detail the pleasures of Rottingdean, Ovingdean and Woodingdean, or at least those parts we'll walk through. Meantime, our vehicle meanders round the latter, eventually letting us jump off. We could leave it at Warren Way shops, but it's a bit built-up there: I prefer to go one stop further, dismounting at the Downs Hotel, from where the view to the Channel – dominated by familiar friends, massed ranks of the Rampion brigade, benign triffids on parade – is so beautiful (you can even see the top of the racecourse stadium to the west). Need to pop into the Hotel's loo? Now's the time, remembering to leave a suitable tip for the staff. We can also top up our grub at the Co-op, survival rations for our epic trek – all two-and-a-half miles of it – to the sea. ** Wind in the Willows. Copyright © Kenneth Graeme 1908 The Walk Woodingdean From traffic lights to beach is less than three miles. We start high on the Downs and Rottingdean's at sea level, so downhill all the way except for a few flat bits and some gentle upward slopes; but if you're not used to it, you'll be surprised at the toll even this short distance takes. Perhaps, if you live in the car, or never stroll further than the bar for the next round of drinks, you should first talk to your GP about breaking yourself in gradually. This could include short daily walks that get a bit longer each outing (the Undercliff could be ideal as long as your footwear has indestructible soles, because the pebbles ruin flimsy ones, as I discovered the hard way). Blisters can strike any time, so lots of sticky plasters in reserve are a must. Anyway, given that you've cranked your body – especially your feet – up to a state of readiness, let's go! A word of caution: the road will twist, turn and bend, meaning you can't always see cars until the last second. Beware, and only cross where it's safe to do so e.g. where you can see clearly in all directions, or at designated crossings. When is a village no longer a village? Woodingdean, like Saltdean, has outgrown its original shape: it's now more of a suburb of mighty Brighton, albeit separated by a mile or so of green belt. Thankfully we soon start to leave the built-up bits behind and start to enjoy leafier stretches. You're not far from woodland and open country as you head south. The vista becomes lush, abundant and exuberant: coppices and shrubs, bushes and trees – most stark-naked in winter – are now getting dressed. They don vivid garments of bud and berry, blossom and leaf, their livery flaunting enough finery to make a rainbow jealous. My favourite trees, horse-chestnuts, unfurl hands of young leaves so that, come September, you can expect a plentiful crop of smooth, glossy, aromatic fruit, ammunition to fuel the conker wars of a new school year. Shaggy green carpets display tapestries of bluebells, daffodils, dandelions and daisies that entice vibrating, quivering butterflies of many an eye-catching hue. Let's enjoy the pleasure of bouncing through thick, springy alive grass; nature's trampoline. Among nettles and other wild roadside flowers and plants, endless oceans of blackberry brambles – their barbed-wire bristling with thorny aggression – limber up, promising another summer's vast harvest of juicy purple succulence: forager heaven. Foraging tip: if you didn't already know there are nearly as many horses as humans round here, the plentiful evidence is literally under your nose, so bring a separate bucket with shovel: they say this stuff's great for your roses. Birdsong is everywhere, but – apart from magpies – don't ask me to identify any of them: David Attenbrough I'm not. With or without Mole, there's beguiling enchantment all around: here a stile daring you to climb over and explore its hidden hinterland, there a pony willing to nuzzle the apple from your open palm. And, let's not ignore domestic gardens, where sleek, well-groomed, multi-coloured spring blooms seem to glow with glee at the promise of summer. Someone's mown their lawn; isn't that unique fragrance just so delightful? Of course, we are assuming the sun always shines warmly from clear blue cloud-free sky. But what if it's raining, or – worse – the Beast from the East returns? Well. It won't, because – before we even left home – each of us prayed and sacrificed to Apollo the sun-god: we read the entrails, consulted the auguries, and in every way possible propitiated the golden deity; so it's guaranteed he will smile on us. …........................................................................................................................... Ovingdean One mile on, at Cowley Drive, we leave Woodingdean and, though you wouldn't know it, enter Ovingdean; you discover this only when reaching Ovingdean Road. We can now stay on Falmer Road, or turn right and walk the extra half-mile via Ovingdean village. Either way is a lovely treat, so let's alternate: next time the village, but today it's straight to Rottingdean. You can still see an area of Ovingdean to our right; down in the dip are paddocks with its grazing horses; and The Vale, where my sister used to live with her first husband. Most of the village itself is unseen, as it's up, over and beyond Long Hill ridge to the west; but what does dominate the valley is the very impressive Longhill School and its athletics-field. Next door, for the even more energetic student or adult, is the Sports Centre, where you can spend a sweaty hour in its well-appointed gym. Rabbits galore inhabit the grounds; bring your shotgun and put rabbit casserole on the table tonight (recipe on request). …........................................................................................................................... Rottingdean You could write a whole book on Rottingdean alone (many have – see them in the library), so I am only going to briefly mention a few highlights. For me, the village really starts at Rottingdean Place (formerly St Mary's Home), a gated community of luxury homes so large it has its own estate office. Their enormous wall encloses immaculately maintained parkland, and seems to stretch for ever down Falmer Road. From here you can just catch your first glimpse of the top of the Windmill. My next stop would be the Cricket Club; what is more quintessentially English than to spend a sunny weekend lazily watching village-green -style play at its best? Eventually we reach one of the glories of the village, St Margaret's church: behind it – so close to be almost its Siamese twin – is Tudor Close; my sister once lived there too. at number four. Back in the 1930's it was the exclusive Tudor Close Hotel, catering for the posh and wealthy. There's an apocryphal tale that the owner used to put on murder mystery weekends: at one of these was the chairman of Waddington's who, as a result, was inspired to invent the much-loved board-game Cluedo, originally called Murder at Tudor Close Hotel. There are many more intriguing details at The Grange, both in the library, and also upstairs in the Gallery, where hangs a painting of the Close by one of its current residents. The Preservation Society's Mike Laslett is the most generous and entertaining of archivists. On the other side of The Pond, at the corner of The Green and High Street, is what I think of as one of the village's best-kept secret – The Dene, an attractive sheltered-housing facility. Run by the Teachers' Housing Association originally for retired educators, it's now much less choosy and will take anyone, even me. I'm in the mile-long queue: let's hope I get to the front before it's too late. An absolute must for your diary is the August Garden Party on their beautiful lawn. Of course, what would Rottingdean be without its Windmill? There it squats – clothed in black, like a motionless spider awaiting its prey – on the eastern flank of Beacon Hill. Its stark, sinister silhouette lurks and looms over the village. Is the mill to Rottingdean what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris? Perhaps not, but meanwhile, it also gazes out to sea at its distant, much younger cousins who ceaselessly, peacefully, silently ply their trade. From The Grange Tea Garden to Molly's at the Beach, there are over thirty places to eat or drink or both; succumbing to malnutrition is unlikely, so let's complete the journey that will end with refreshments at the Undercliff. First we must traverse the seething metropolis that is central Rottingdean; to preserve the illusion we're in a quaint old village, avert your eyes from crass commercial examples of multiple firms: modern intruders – coffee shops, convenience stores, estate agents (even traffic lights) – should play no part in our idyll. The final furlong: High Street South, with its free Rampion Telescope on the cliff-top. Take your fill of the wind turbines by day (and the stars by night). Then down curving steps to Molly's at the Beach for a well-earned, slap-up afternoon tea. We made it: well done! Copyright © Peter Black 2019  You really wouldn't want me in your kitchen: I don't so much cook food as inflict GBH on it (I once earned an ASBO for over-zealously mashing the spuds, but that's another story). However, I'm the first to pay homage to those whose skills with pots, pans and ingredients give us great mealtime pleasures.
Meet Terri Crombie, chef at Y THE COFFEE CO, 243 South Coast Road Peacehaven BN10 8LD, genius at delicious full English breakfasts and other tasty takeaway miracles. This cafe changed hands last year, and Terri not only welcomes you with a glowing smile the mask can't hide, but also gives you generous portions in traditional, veggie or vegan options – the plant-based sausages are unforgettable – served in cardboard bowls with wooden cutlery for eco-friendly takeaway dining. Hours: 8 am to 4 pm, every day – YES! 7 days a week: AMAZING!! Regulars like me can't wait for summer's later openings, so we can leisurely enjoy Terri's masterpieces in her garden. Meantime, as well as ordering at the door, you can pre-order your takeaway, or request your home delivery, at E: ythecoffeeco@gmail.com T: 01273 965727 W: http://ythecoffeeco.com bon appetit! Copyright Peter Black © 2021 |