Landfill protesters launch plan to unite members

Nick Hollington, chairman of Bexhill Against Landfill and Incineration (BALI), used his speech in the town forum to launch a membership scheme.

Urging residents to sign up, Nick said the move marked a shift away from the campaign-group style BALI has used since setting up around five years ago.

Nick said: "We think this is going to be a long fight and we need to bring in as many people as we can.

"Before now there's been no facility for people to join unless they want to take part in committee activities. Now we are changing that."

Members will receive regular updates on the landfill fight and can attend group meetings two or three times a year.

But the most important part of the move, Nick said, is bringing the community together.

On Tuesday evening before the forum BALI member Colin Bennett manned an information stall in the De La Warr Pavilion foyer displaying a model of the two alternative outcomes for Ashdown Brickworks - one after landfill, and one after Ibstock restore the topsoil to create green spaces.

Colin also handed sheets of frequently asked questions to residents wanting to know the current status of East Sussex County Council's (ESCC) plan, which names the Turkey Road quarrry as its preferred destination for waste from Brighton and Hove and East Sussex until 2026.

And BALI announced a "key stakeholder" meeting later this year. Likely to be held in Bexhill Town Hall, the meeting brings key players, including ESCC, Rother District Council, site owners Ibstock and community representatives, around the table.

Recapping BALI's activities to date, Nick added: "We are continuing to press our points home and to press our arguments. That's all we can do at the moment.

"The support we've had from the public of Bexhill says people think the plans are madness given the location of the site. East Sussex don't seem to get that yet but we'll keep insisting on it."

ESCC are set to respond to the consultation process late this summer. A final decision on Ashdown Brickworks is unlikely to announced before November.

'¢Membership registration forms are available by contact Nick Hollington on 01424 843046, Mike Rosner on 01424 845688. Full details on the membership scheme will be sent to all interested parties before September.