Town transformation in the offing

Among the schemes is a conservation area with picnic benches at a derelict site behind the Travel Inn in The Drove.

At the Fort Road recreation ground a state-of-the-art skate park is proposed, plus an artificial turf pitch, a multi-use games area and a new sports building with changing room and meeting room.

This, with refurbishment at adjacent Shakespeare Hall, will cost in the region of 2 million.

At Castle Hill, soon to be a local nature reserve, regeneration funding will be used to provide disabled access, disabled parking spaces and viewing points near the gun emplacements on the cliff top.

Said Cllr Ann De Vecchi, leader of Lewes District Council: 'These exciting projects are a wonderful opportunity for Newhaven, and represent our ongoing commitment to transform the town and provide facilities that local people want to see.'

At 11.30am next Tuesday the district chairman, Cllr Marie Smith, and Newhaven's Mayor, Cllr Dennis Forsdyke, mark the start of the projects by cutting the turf at Fort Road recreation ground.

The public meeting is next Thursday, March 6 (9pm) at Hillcrest Centre in Hillcrest Road.

Detailed plans of all the projects will be on view, and officers of the district and county councils will be available to explain the proposals.