The future of the concrete blocks has been the subject of hot debate for more than three years.

Lancing Parish Council, which owns Beach Green, had been looking at various options for dealing with the anti-tank obstacles, which it claimed were breaking up through the green's surface and causing a hazard.

Options included covering Beach Green with a new layer of topsoil and removing the blocks and having them crushed, either on-site or off-site.

Last April, the council narrowly voted to have the blocks dug up from the green and crushed on-site.

The decision provoked uproar among sections of the community, with claims the green would suffer if the blocks were removed.

There were also concerns the area could revert to marshland without the presence of the blocks, which were installed as a Second World War anti-tank measure.

At a previous meeting, a planned discussion on the blocks had to be abandoned amid shouts, jeers and heckling from the crowd after scores of people packed Lancing Parish Hall's council chamber.

But at last month's meeting, parish councillor Ann Bridges proposed the people of Lancing should be given the decision on the blocks' future in a referendum – a motion seconded by Tony Nicklen before being adopted.

Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Bridges said: "The Beach Green is a recreational area for the whole of Lancing. Therefore, all the people of Lancing ought to have their say on its future.

"It is the only democratic way forward."

The people of Lancing will get to have their say in a special "parish poll", which will be held after the May 1 local elections.

What do you think?

Should the blocks have been removed years ago?

Or would you rather see them remain?

Share your views comment below or write to the Lancing Herald, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA

Comment

I find the idea of a referendum proposed by a conservative councillor rather pathetic.

They proposed to remove the blocks in April 2007.

A proposal made by Nicklen and voted for by the conservative councillors.

In February of this year, Nicklen (acting as chairperson at a full council meeting) informed the public that LPC were going to apply for planning permission to remove the blocks in the near future.

Then the conservatives remembered there was going to be an election in May - what shall we do? lets have a referendum after the election - how fickle.

What they forgot to mention is the cost of a referendum, about £4000 - more money wasted by the conservative contingent of LPC

Mark Eden RMaPS MIIRSM Tech IOSH


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