Next Wave: Councillors divided over party lines

The Lib Dem bench presented a united front in labelling the 5.1million seafront regeneration incomprehensible, grandiose and ignorant of Bexhill's community.

Leader of the council Carl Maynard hit back, saying he made no apologies for putting the project forward as part of Rother's capital programme, and condemning the Lib Dems for being "more interested in public conveniences than positive regeneration".

During the impassioned debate chairman of the council Martin Mooney was forced to remind members of Rother's planning committee not to air opinions which might prejudice their decision-making.

A brief report noting points raised during a September 7 Cabinet meeting about the Colonnade and Next Wave scheme was objected to by Cllr Stuart Wood.

He claimed designs submitted to Councillors were not detailed enough, and did not take into account the risk of flooding at the Colonnade.

He also drew attention to hire charges faced by prospective tenants of the Colonnade, saying: "Who is going to pay for the services to be installed - heating, electricity, kitchen lighting. Are the hirers expected to pay for it on top of their high rents?"

Cllr Martyn Foster supported his Lib Dem member, saying: "The response of Rother District Council to the worst recession in living memory is apparently to build a 2million sand castle on the beach, only to see it washed away by the next high tide.

"This town still has toilets which are not fit to be seen dead in and no official tourism office to promote our seaside town in the way our business community desperately wants."

In the final prong of a triple attack, Cllr Sue Prochak spoke about the "doubt, scepticism and general unease which have surrounded Rother's plans for the seafront."

She argued that Bexhill's public felt out of touch with the council, who were now locked into a project with the largest budget Rother have ever approved.

Cllr Robin Patten, conservative, dismissed flooding concerns, saying: "Over the past three years there have only been two minor incidents of flooding.

"In both cases there was no internal water damage to the cafe or Colonnade.

"Bexhill is not identified as a flood risk area."

Cllr Maynard rejected Cllr Wood's claims that the presentation wasn't detailed enough, saying: "Quite clearly it wasn't just about showing some maps of the area. I do not know what seminar he was at, but it must have been a different presentation."

He cited the De La Warr Pavilion, the new High School and Bexhill Museum as examples of the kind of positive regeneration he believed would bring people back to Bexhill.

Cllr Maynard also answered John Lee, a member of the public, who asked for objective evidence that Bexhill's population supported the scheme, saying: "As with most things the council does, there will be those in the community who do not particularly support all or part of a specific scheme, but having carried out consultation through a range of methods, the Council is very confident that the final designs wil meet with overall approval."

John Lee complained of a disingenuous response, and called for a referendum of Bexhill's taxpayers. The suggestion was rejected by Cllr Maynard, who said: "I do believe that we have consulted fully with the public over these proposals. There is no reason for a referendum on this project."

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- COASTAL Officer Steve Benn took up office in the Colonnade three years ago. When asked by the Observer to give an account of the extent of flooding, Steve confirmed Cllr Robin Patten's description of two minor incidents of flooding in the last three years, neither of which caused interior damage to the Colonnade Cafe or beach inspectors office.

Cllr Patten described water levels of around half an inch around the exterior seating, dealt with by a mop.

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- DO you have a view on the Next Wave project? The exhibition tomorrow (Saturday), at Bexhill Museum in Egerton Road, runs from 10am-4pm and includes forms for members of the public to register comments or questions.

A council spokesman confirmed that, barring strong common themes in responses to the exhibition, the designs on view would not change.

The exhibition is not a consultation exercise, rather it is designed to give information on the designs. As such, the design team will be on hand to talk to people and explain their process.

It is important to note that the exhibition runs for one day only. Due to restricted parking, a shuttle bus service will run every half an hour from the De La Warr Pavilion car park from 10am.

For information visit www.next-wave.org.uk