ShorehamGull
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![[*]](./images/onepoint9/default_icon.gif) posted on 16/5/2005 at 15:38 |
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MP's Bid to Speed up Falmer Verdict
Just read this from the Argus:
MP's bid to speed Falmer verdict
by Jenny Legg
The Government is facing new pressure to say yes to an Albion stadium at Falmer - from three Labour MPs.
Brighton and Hove's David Lepper, Des Turner and Celia Barlow will tomorrow table a motion to debate the plans on the first day of Parliament.
The motion will be put forward as hundreds of Seagulls fans continue to send The Argus their messages of support for the stadium.
The motion congratulates the club on successfully surviving its first season in the Championship but demands the Government says yes to the
22,000-seat stadium as soon as possible.
Government inspector David Brier will report during the summer and a decision by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is expected by Christmas.
Mr Lepper, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: "After such a nailbiting finish to the season, Albion deserves an early answer from the Government once
the planning inspector has delivered his report.
"We believe the case for Falmer has been made and hope the inspector will agree.
"Now they are in the Championship for another season, Albion need to be able to plan ahead with certainty. They have done well since returning to
Brighton from Gillingham but quite simply the kind of crowds they should be and are attracting can't fit at Withdean.
"The three of us felt that we wanted to make the point about the importance of support for the stadium application as soon as possible in the new
Parliament to make sure it stayed on the agenda."
Mr Lepper said he hoped the motion would attract support from MPs across the country.
A previous motion about the stadium tabled last September was backed by more than 140 MPs.
Mr Turner, MP for Brighton Kemptown, said: "We want to keep up gentle pressure. If there is any element of doubt in the Secretary of State's mind we
want him to know what our feelings are. It is so important for the future of the club and it will be an asset to the whole community of Brighton and
Hove and the surrounding region."
Celia Barlow, MP for Hove and Portslade, said: "I hope this motion will draw attention to the desperate need of the club and city for the Falmer site
particularly in light of the club's current financial situation. It is very important economically as well as for the spirit of the club."
The motion states: "This house congratulates Brighton and Hove Albion on a successful first championship season; believes that their success is
further justification of the need for a new community stadium as a permanent home for the club which would also enhance the wider sporting, economic
and educational life of the city of Brighton and Hove; and calls for the earliest possible decision in favour of the club's planning application for
such a stadium at Falmer."
Club chairman Dick Knight said: "Celia Barlow, David Lepper and Des Turner have always supported the Falmer site. I am absolutely delighted they are
taking the first opportunity in the new Parliament to enforce our need for a new stadium.
"We have been battling for a new stadium for more than six years. It's one of the longest-running public inquiries.
"Withdean is totally inadequate for our needs and the wishes of thousands of supporters who want to see us but can't. The economics mean we cannot
support this club while we are playing at Withdean."
He said the Seagulls had spent £3 million on the Falmer project, including the planning application and two public inquiries. In addition the club has
spent £2.5 million on bringing the Withdean stadium up to football league standards.
Mr Knight said: "We have spent £5.5 million over seven years before we have a decision on the new stadium. It is a huge amount of money for any club.
It is time we were relieved of this misery and allowed to get on and build the stadium."
Today he announced the Albion had suffered a crippling financial loss with a deficit of £1,273,000 in the year to June 2004 when they were promoted to
the Championship.
He said the losses were not sustainable and a new stadium at Falmer was the club's only solution.
The campaign for a new stadium has won backing from city council leader Ken Bodfish and celebrity fans Des Lynam and Fatboy Slim.
How far they will get is the answer, but we hope they are successful.
[Edited on 16/5/2005 by ShorehamGull]
[Edited on 16/5/2005 by ShorehamGull]
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StevieV
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| posted on 16/5/2005 at 15:54 |
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Good to hear! 
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Brixtaan
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| posted on 16/5/2005 at 16:21 |
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The positivity is flooding back!
I especially like the motions words of "enhancing the wider sporting,economic and educational life of the city of B+H". Just the sort of things
that any government would want to improve you'd think.
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bhaexpress
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| posted on 16/5/2005 at 16:24 |
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Blimey, MPs actually doing what the voters want !
Unicorns like horse play.
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ShorehamGull
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| posted on 16/5/2005 at 17:22 |
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State opening of Parliament tomorrow, with the Queens speech and everything. Then after that the government motions start again in the house of
commons, the Falmer motion should be the first of the day.
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Beach Hut
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| posted on 16/5/2005 at 18:32 |
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Let's hope so, can't remember MPs ever serving the constituants needs so quickly.
New Blair policy ?
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Lawros Lip
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| posted on 16/5/2005 at 18:55 |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by
State opening of Parliament tomorrow, with the Queens speech and everything. |
'My government is fully committed to granting the famous Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club a new stadium at Falmer'.
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sirmax2004
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| posted on 16/5/2005 at 19:03 |
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bout time the mp's put pressure on the government to give it the thumbs up/ good news
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anna
FALMER STADIUM
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| posted on 16/5/2005 at 20:40 |
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This seems to good to be true to me, but then again I never did trust politicians.
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bw
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| posted on 17/5/2005 at 15:36 |
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The only bit in that article I didn't like was the reference to Christmas as likely timing for the decision... why the fcuk should it take that
long?... ffs, we've waited far too long, and Prescott should be able to make a decision around the start of next season at the latest...
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