Xàbia Shrimper
Co-founder of ShrimperZone
Brighton's bid to build a new stadium is in doubt after it was revealed Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott made a mistake in his approval letter.
On Thursday, Prescott's office quashed last October's 'Yes' verdict on a stadium at Falmer after realising an error was made describing the site. The Treasury Solicitor has drafted a consent order to be agreed with the club, Brighton City Council and Lewes. The matter will be referred to Prescott for him to make the decision again.
The mistake was only a technicality, but it forced the Treasury Solicitor to 'Submit to Judgement' of the High Court after a challenge lodged by Lewes District Council. A Brighton statement said: "The decision letter refers to the site being within the "built-up area" of Brighton & Hove. But only part of the site is in the "built-up area" of Brighton & Hove. Part is outside the "built-up area" and part of the site is in Lewes."
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister say they will retake the decision in the near future. "This does not mean the original decision was wrong. We have conceded because of a technical error, not because of the substance of the decision. The Secretary of State does not concede on any of the other grounds of challenge that Lewes District Council have made."
Albion chief executive Martin Perry has moved to reassure Seagulls fans that the latest development should not affect the timescale of the project. Brighton are still hoping to move in to their new ground in time for the start of the 2009/10 season. "We do not expect this latest development to affect our revised move-in date of August 2009," said Perry. "In fact the club is pleased that the Treasury Solicitor has taken this route. While it will give a Pyrrhic victory to Lewes, this is the most sensible and quickest route out of the mess Lewes have created. It is only a minor technicality and was not a determining factor in the decision. This is a frustrating delay but has not stopped us. The design team are fully committed to the project and are actively working on it in readiness for a site start next year."
Source : BBC News
On Thursday, Prescott's office quashed last October's 'Yes' verdict on a stadium at Falmer after realising an error was made describing the site. The Treasury Solicitor has drafted a consent order to be agreed with the club, Brighton City Council and Lewes. The matter will be referred to Prescott for him to make the decision again.
The mistake was only a technicality, but it forced the Treasury Solicitor to 'Submit to Judgement' of the High Court after a challenge lodged by Lewes District Council. A Brighton statement said: "The decision letter refers to the site being within the "built-up area" of Brighton & Hove. But only part of the site is in the "built-up area" of Brighton & Hove. Part is outside the "built-up area" and part of the site is in Lewes."
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister say they will retake the decision in the near future. "This does not mean the original decision was wrong. We have conceded because of a technical error, not because of the substance of the decision. The Secretary of State does not concede on any of the other grounds of challenge that Lewes District Council have made."
Albion chief executive Martin Perry has moved to reassure Seagulls fans that the latest development should not affect the timescale of the project. Brighton are still hoping to move in to their new ground in time for the start of the 2009/10 season. "We do not expect this latest development to affect our revised move-in date of August 2009," said Perry. "In fact the club is pleased that the Treasury Solicitor has taken this route. While it will give a Pyrrhic victory to Lewes, this is the most sensible and quickest route out of the mess Lewes have created. It is only a minor technicality and was not a determining factor in the decision. This is a frustrating delay but has not stopped us. The design team are fully committed to the project and are actively working on it in readiness for a site start next year."
Source : BBC News
