URGENT - Brighton Fans need help from all Football Fans NOW

Last updated : 05 February 2004 By Bob Gear
Dear Friend

PLEASE HELP URGENTLY

Brighton & Hove Albion supporters are awaiting the outcome of the planning application for our new stadium. The old Goldstone Ground was sold against our wishes, and anyone who has been to Withdean knows how desperately we need one.

The situation is somewhat complicated but it boils down to this. A planning inspector has recommended that the city council, which is very much behind the stadium, does NOT allocate the land for it at Falmer (on the edge of Brighton) in its new Local Plan.

We are still awaiting the final verdict from the Deputy Prime Minister (John Prescott) on the actual planning application, which is expected at any time. If it goes against us then Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club is doomed.

We cannot stay at Withdean (which is for temporary use only and very inadequate) and there is no other viable site apart from Falmer. Even if there was, we cannot afford another planning application - the present one has cost #2.5 million.

What we are asking for is this.

PLEASE either write a letter to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) or send an email AS A MATTER OF URGENCY. PLEASE DO THIS NOW.

We need to get over to the DPM that a new home for Brighton & Hove Albion, as part of a nationwide league of clubs playing the national sport, is a matter of national importance - especially as the Brighton conurbation is the 10th largest in England and Wales.

So, the points to make are as follows (you can cut and paste this bit):

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Dear Deputy Prime Minister

I am writing to urge you to approve the plans for a community stadium at Falmer, Brighton.

I believe you should do this for the following reasons:

1. Brighton & Hove is a city of national importance and its football club is important as part of the national league competitions in our national sport.

2. The evidence shows that the site identified by the city council at Falmer is the only viable one for a community stadium in a city hemmed in by the South Downs and the sea.

3. A community stadium is essential for the well-being of any town or city. It brings communities together, provides opportunities in sport, education and employment, and enables the local football club to fulfil its potential within the community and for the benefit of it.

Please approve the plans for Brighton & Hove's community stadium.

Yours sincerely

etc etc

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PLEASE BE SURE TO ADD YOUR NAME AND POSTAL ADDRESS whether on a letter or an
email. You can of course embellish the above points with any you wish to
make, but it is essential that you please send something if you ever want to
come and see football by the seaside again.

Letters should be sent to

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
26 Whitehall
London SW1A 2WH

Emails should be sent to planning.general@odpm.gsi.gov.uk

Thank you. Please pass this email on to as many people as possible.

Further information can be found on the BHAFC website www.seagulls.co.uk