Shame about delay to new lifeboat station, but this important

It was stated that Adur District Council has decided that land in Williams Road, Shoreham, would be the most suitable to exchange for land deregistered for the new lifeboat station on Kingston Beach village green.

I must point out, yet again, that it is not for the owners of a village green to decide what land is suitable, but for them to offer land to the

"beneficial users of the green" and for the users to accept, or reject, that offer.

In this case, the people I have spoken to about it would rather cede that part of the green that is required for the actual lifeboat station building, than set a precedent by accepting a bit of land that is no use to them whatsoever; such as Southwick Beach or Williams Road.

To complicate matters, the application for the new lifeboat station includes making a new roadway and parking areas on the green.

We believe that this is the extra hundreds of square metres wanted in the application, although this is not at all clear on the plan provided with the application.

Councillors at the planning meeting were so confused that they were going to ask for a site meeting.

The plan to create a road and parking area on Kingston Beach village green is being fiercely opposed by a number of residents and we are supported in this opposition by the Open Spaces Society and DEFRA.

It is unfortunate that this wrangle could be delaying the start of the work for the new lifeboat station, but this is an important precedent that could affect other village greens and must be given careful consideration.

Edward Kelly

Brighton Road

Shoreham